By Daniel Mohamad

OGDC to host first ever M3V Challenge

Article from Borneo Bulletin Weekend. Published on Saturday Jul, 31 2010

The famous OGDC go-kart will be wheeling for charity next week.

A specially designed 'Walkman Vehicle'.

In line with its objective to nurture Science and Technology in Brunei, the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC) will host the inaugural M3V Challenge - also known as the Modify to Velocity Grade 3 Challenge - at the OGDC Big Top on Sunday August 8.

A total of eight teams from vocational, technical and business schools have geared up for this challenge with their inventions since early July.

The competition will test the students' ability to create and design a functioning and efficient vehicle from a cassette player. The vehicle will then race against time to determine the winner. It will be judged based on the average time of two laps.

The M3V concept does not require a technical background as prerequisite. Participants only need to ensure their vehicle's speed, durability and stability. The miniature drag track is 10 metres long and one metre wide for each vehicle.

The team will be given time penalties if their vehicle crashes into the sides of the track. The contest will also honour the team with the most creative design, who will receive the "Best Design" award.

Since the programme was announced, some schools have introduced their own M3V competition as part of their selection process to pick the best representation to compete in the OGDC event. Alongside the M3V Challenge, OGDC and the Brunei Shell Ladies Association will also be organising a two-day charity sale at OGDC from Aug 7.

The purchase of an OGDC ticket during that weekend will entitle buyers to a ride on the OGDC go-kart. Part of earnings at the sale will go to charity, which hopes to reduce poverty amongst women.

Members of the public are welcome to watch the first ever M3V Challenge at the OGDC Big Top next week. OGDC aspires that contests like the M3V Challenge will encourage innovation among Bruneians and promote the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.