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UALA LUMPUR: The Shell Eco Marathon (SEM) 2011 — a race for experimental energy-efficient cars — has begun and team Cikal from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) was the first of 95 vehicles to pass preliminary safety and technical tests.

The Cikal team qualified during a test conducted at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Wednesday.

“We are very grateful to have qualified because SEM’s safety and technical inspections are very stringent and specific. Our vehicle’s tire exploded when it was carried off the ship. Fortunately, we managed to find a spare,” Cikal team leader Iwan Suminar said.

The Cikal vehicle has an aluminum chassis and carbon fiber shell, weighs 150 kilograms without a driver and car is powered by a 110 cc gasoline engine.

ITB is not the only Indonesian university representing the country at the SEM. The University of Indonesia, Politechnic State University of Pontianak, Gadjah Mada University and 10th November Technology University also have vehicles in the race.