Wednesday, March 20, 2019 The Rector of Yogyakarta State University (UNY) officially sent off the Garuda UNY Team to compete in the Asia Regional Shell Eco Marathon competition. This competition will be held on April 29, 2019. Garuda UNY Team will compete with other participants from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia and China. According to Dr. Zainal Arifin, M.T. as the advisor of the Garuda UNY Team, the team preparation was different from the previous year. Learning from the shortcomings of last year which experienced many obstacles to air resistance, the Garuda UNY team changed the body to be more stream line and aerodynamic, so as to reduce air resistance.

Nurdin as the manager of the Garuda UNY Team explained that the type of car that was included in this competition was energy-efficient cars. These cars are urban gasoline category. This category is a prototype of urban vehicle that consume less gasoline. Since August 2018 this team has prepared for this event, by participating in competitions at the national level.

Sutiman, M.T. as the advisor of the Garuda UNY Team emphasized that the target for this year could be like the previous years which always increased. In the 2018 Shell Eco Marathon competition held at Changi, the Garuda UNY Team won third place and represented Asia at the Driver World Championship in London. The team has also observed the differences in terrain characteristics between Changi and Sepang, so that it is expected to get the best results.

All members of UNY certainly expect the best results for Garuda UNY Team. Prof. Dr. Sutrisna Wibawa, M.Pd. as the Rector of UNY also hoped, "The Garuda UNY Team already has experience in England. This year must be better prepared, the car has also been modified in accordance with the characteristics for race cars and energy saving. Hopefully we will improve the achievements of the past year. We aim to enter the final again in Asia and going forward at the world level." (Safira/JK; terj.Syarif)