Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Don't tell the Formula One drivers arriving in Bahrain this week that speed does NOT always deliver glory.
The trainees and faculty of Bahrain Training Institute (BTI) at Isa Town have been motoring to success in the slow lane ... and picking up a host of accolades along the way.
The car, the first-ever to participate in an international automobile competition for students from Bahrain, was recently adjudged the 'best project' at the recent BTI projects exhibition.
Hameed Saleh, director general of BTI, said the team had "brought credit not only to BTI but also to Bahrain and the whole Arab region."
The talented designers and members of the Bahrain Defence Force Adham Mohammed, 30, Abdul Gani, 26 and Bader Mohammed, 23, put together the dream car in a workshop in only three-months, as featured exclusively in GulfWeekly, and went on to compete against 32 other vehicles from around the world at the Eaton Proving Grounds in Marshall, USA.
"Every small detail including the agility of the driver mattered in reaching our goal," said programme manager M Mahendhran, 43, who was the students' guiding force.
"To reduce fuel consumption the car needed an aerodynamic shape, minimum weight and minimum fuel wastage.
"As a team we decided to place the engine behind the driver's seat and used the lightest of local materials available. We even got our driver, Bader, a drag-race driver, to reduce his weight by seven kgs!"
With an engine donated by the US Society of Automotive Engineers International (SAE) the BTI team had to design and manufacture a fuel efficient car at the same time as meeting stringent safety standards outlined by the organisation.
The BTI Super mileage car sped along at between 25 and 40 km and was able to run 85 km on just one litre of petrol.
The first-time entry secured 13th position against 32 entries from prestigious universities across the world.
Mr Mahendhran said: "Every single specification mentioned in the 23-page guide was checked by the judges and we were given 24 hours to make any changes if required. Only if we passed every single test could the car enter the testing grounds. We were one of just 17 among the 32 competing cars that made it."
Following the American mission the car was also showcased at the first GCC Skills Competition 2008 that was held in Abu Dhabi.
