From the iconic Sepang Racing Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which has hosted Shell Eco-marathon Asia (SEMA) since 2010, the super mileage competition will now move to the city streets of Manila, Philippines. In February 2014, the historic Luneta Park in Manila will be transformed into a track where over 140 student teams from countries across Asia and the Middle East will compete in designing, building and testing cars that can travel the farthest distance on the least amount of fuel.

The transition from Malaysia to the Philippines was formalized in a recent handover ceremony in Manila. To symbolize the handover, Shell Malaysia Country Chairman Iain Lo passed on a model prototype vehicle to Shell companies in the Philippines Country Chairman Edgar Chua.  “The spirit of Shell Eco-marathon is to bring people together, government, business and students – who are our scientists, engineers and innovators of the future – to help each other solve the world’s energy challenge.  Not for individual glory, but for the benefit of the planet – for our collective benefit,” Lo said in his remarks.

He thanked the Malaysian government, sponsors, volunteers and media for the support they had given to Shell Malaysia in hosting the event for three consecutive years. Most importantly, he recognized the participating students who bring energy and inspiration to the event. He recalled last year’s winning achievement of Thai students from Dhurakij Pubdit University who were able to run their Ethanol100 prototype vehicle at a mileage of 2,903 km/l – the equivalent of driving from Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi. “You really do make this an extraordinary event and one Shell Malaysia has been immensely proud to host,” Lo said.

Receiving the role as the next host city, Chua said, “We are looking forward to a three-year experience which will definitely make participants understand why ‘it’s more fun in the Philippines’”, citing the country’s tourism slogan. “While it is not the first time for SEM to happen in Asia, this will be noteworthy since there will be several firsts for Shell Eco-marathon in the Philippines.”

This will be the first road-track circuit in Asia for the mileage competition and the first time for the competition to be held in the center of a bustling Asian city - Manila. The specially designed and more challenging circuit will give students a real life driving experience and will bring the students’ futuristic innovations closer to the thousands of spectators expected to witness the event.

Another pioneer attraction at the upcoming SEMA in Manila is the Shell Energy Lab – an interactive science and technology exhibition designed to spark reflection on the future of energy.

Finally, Manila will be the backdrop for Shell’s Powering Progress Together Forum. First time to be held in Asia, the event will gather private, government and non-government leaders with world experts discussing energy, water and food consumption in a stakeholder forum aimed at gaining an informed perspective on the future of energy and smarter mobility.

Commenting on Manila as next host city of SEMA, Philippine Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said: “We are happy with Shell’s decision to hold Shell Eco-marathon Asia in Manila and we look forward to partnering with them for the next three years. Many tourists come to the Philippines to see history. Through SEMA, Manila will now be a destination to also see the future.”

Manila will continue to host Shell Eco-marathon Asia until 2016.

For more information on all Shell Eco-marathon events across the globe, including official rules, instructions for registration and details on prizes, please visit the Shell Eco-marathon website at www.shell.com/ecomarathon.

About Shell Eco-marathon

Shell Eco-marathon began in 1939 at a Shell research laboratory in the United States as a friendly wager between scientists to see who could get the most miles per gallon from their vehicle. The winner of that contest barely achieved 50 mpg (21 km/l), and from these humble origins, a more organized competition evolved.

In 1985 in France, Shell Eco-marathon as we know it today was born. In April 2007, Shell Eco-marathon Americas event was launched in the United States, and in 2010, the inaugural Shell Eco-marathon Asia was held in Malaysia.   Malaysia hosted Shell Eco-Marathon Asia until 2013. In 2014, the event will be held in Manila, Philippines, which will continue to host until 2016.

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