The three day ISIE Hybrid Vehicle Challenge 2016 begun here on Monday at RPM Racing Track, Ratibad. As many as 53 cars manufactured by engineering college students from across India are participating in the event. These hybrid cars are powered by 209 cc internal combustion engine and 1.5 kilowatt electric motors with a cap of maximum 90 kmph speed. The first day of the event witnessed Technical Inspection of all the vehicles. Tomorrow all the qualified cars will be on racing track to prove their mettle. The rounds that will take place include Auto Cross, Skid Pad, B-Plan Presentation and Best Design & Innovation Evaluation.
In the morning session the event was formally inaugurated by Radharaman Group of Institutes chairman RR Saxena, Sonic Adventure managing director Sanjay Shinde and Hi Performance Motor Sport CEO Nibit Bhasin. The participating cars had to face stringent tests that included driver safety, chasis, steering & suspension, general safety & documentation, power train and design & innovation. These tests were performed by experts from Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Hero MotoCorp, l&T, A1 Mulla Group (Kuwait), TVS and IIT-Mumbai. MANIT Bhopal is the only team from Madhya Pradesh who could qualify to participate in the event. This 25 member team is being led by Vivek Kumar.