The blazing sun did little to dim the spirit, determination, and resilience of Garden International School’s electric vehicle team, Team Vizion, as they competed in the much-anticipated Affin Group Bufori-EViE Race at Beranang Horizon Circuit.
With temperatures soaring and the competition fierce, it was always set to be a challenging day- but as ever, Team Vizion rose to the occasion with enthusiasm and admirable perseverance. Despite encountering a series of unfortunate technical setbacks, our students and staff showcased what it truly means to work together under pressure and push forward with optimism and teamwork.
Before the race had even begun, the team discovered a puncture in one of the tyres, and while resolving that issue, realised that another wheel had to be replaced due to a slight buckle carried over from last year’s racing season. The challenges didn’t stop there- the accelerator pedal snapped during practice, halting their early progress. And when it was hastily repaired, a new problem emerged: the engine had come loose from its mounting sockets. In a moment of classic engineering improvisation, the team used duct tape and cable ties to keep it in place- proving that problem-solving and innovation are just as important as speed and mechanics.
Despite these hurdles, Team Vizion powered forward with grit and determination. The performance of the car was nothing short of incredible considering the setbacks, and once again, for the second year in a row, the team recorded the fastest lap of the day (even with a duct-taped, cable-tied engine), a testament to the skill and determination of our student drivers.
As the race unfolded, Team Vizion continued to hold strong, climbing the ranks and showing true competitive spirit. Unfortunately, the car was eventually forced to retire after it was discovered that the tie rod ends on the steering column had not been fully tightened, a problem that prevented the car from being controlled in a safe manner. The race was over… or was it?
In a moment that perfectly captured the resilience and creativity of the GIS community, Mr Ian Wade made a decisive call to accept a penalty and to enter the pit lane. With some quick thinking and teamwork, the issue was resolved enough to get the car back on the track for a few final laps, allowing the students to finish on their own terms and with their heads held high.
GIS finished joint 4th overall, a remarkable result considering the circumstances. More importantly, Team Vizion leaves with valuable lessons, deeper camaraderie, and memories of a thrilling day of racing that pushed their limits and highlighted their strength as a team.
My highlight was getting the car going again, after we thought the race was over for us. We had a wonderful time and would like to sincerely thank Mr Wade for all the effort and guidance you’ve provided to the team throughout this elective. It’s been a truly valuable experience,
– Ryan Lim, Year 12 student and Team Manager of Team Vizion summed up not only the race, but the spirit of the Bufori-EViE programme itself.
And now time for an EXCITING UPDATE!
Mr Wade is thrilled to announce that in the upcoming 2025–2026 school year, GIS will be running two Bufori-EViE vehicles:
– Car One will form part of the KS4 elective.
– Car Two will be introduced as a KS3 CCA.
If any student is interested in being part of this exciting and rewarding programme, please speak to Mr Wade for more information on how to get involved.
Bufori-EViE: Spark Your Potential.
Written by: Mr Ian Wade – Secondary Design and Technology Teacher
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