Full faith in Horizon H2GP World Final competitors as they head to Las Vegas
A team from Gladstone’s Faith Baptist Christian School have celebrated their upcoming trip to the United States to compete at the Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) World Final by meeting with sponsors to showcase their skills and car design for the six-hour, hydrogen-fueled race.
As winners of the Australian Horizon H2GP held in April, Faith Baptist Christian School will be the official Australian representatives at the global event being run by Horizon Educational from 11 – 14 September 2023 in Las Vegas, USA, which will attract competitors from across the globe.
The team will be made up of five students including Kaleb Galea, Mason Byers, Lola Howells, Kate Alcorn and Emily Sauvageot plus their teacher, Mrs Shantell Nelson.
The team’s attendance at the world final is being supported by several sponsors including Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC), CQUniversity Australia, the Queensland Government and Stanwell, the CQ-H2 project as well as the school community.
Steve Sauvageot, Principal of Faith Baptist Christian School and father of competitor Emily Sauvageot said that the group was extremely excited about the event and were dedicated to representing Australia and making the Gladstone community proud.
“This will be an amazing opportunity for these kids and one that they will always remember.
“Regardless of the end result, I think the whole community should be proud of their achievement and their commitment to representing not just Gladstone but also Australia.
“They had so much fun at the Australian finals so I am sure the world finals will be an amazing experience,” said Mr Sauvageot.
Team Leader of the Faith Baptist Christian School team Kaleb Galea said the group was thrilled to be competing on the world stage and putting their vehicle to the test, which has undergone several enhancements since the Australian final.
“Winning the national final was amazing and we have been working hard to ensure we are competitive at the world finals.
“Ultimately our teamwork and collaboration are what won it for us back in April, so if we can apply that and the enhancements we have made to the car, I think we are in with a good chance.
“It feels amazing to be a school with less than 120 kids, competing and winning at a worldwide level!” said Kaleb.
Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) is proudly sponsoring the local team and will be cheering them on as they head to the finals in Las Vegas in September.
GPC supported Australia’s first Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) earlier this year where Faith and Furious from Faith Baptist Christian School, won the top gong.
GPC’s CEO Craig Haymes said the team’s achievement is a testament to the capability of regional Queensland and the Nation.
“It’s exciting to see our local school represent Australia in the International championships,” Mr Haymes said.
“As one of Australia’s most significant ports, we’re also proud to send one of our mechanical engineers along with the Faith Baptist team to provide around-the-clock support,” he said.
“We know our community and GPC will be cheering the team on from CQ.”
CQUniversity’s Associate Vice-President for the Wide Bay and Gladstone Regions Luke Sinclair said that CQUniversity was proud to be among a group of sponsors supporting the team’s participation at the world finals.
“Central Queensland is poised to become a regional leader when it comes to clean energy production and innovation, and we are extremely proud to be engaging a new generation in the opportunities that are aligned with this.
“The partners involved in this event all recognise the potential for a thriving local renewables industry in Gladstone, but to achieve this it is critical that we work together now to encourage young people to work towards careers in the renewables sector," said Mr Sinclair.
“We hope this support encourages all young people in the region to consider careers in new and emerging industries like hydrogen and renewables.”
Director of APAC at Horizon Educational Ales Rakovsky said that he was looking forward to cheering on the Faith Baptist team at the world finals.
“The first Australian H2GP in April was a great success, and the Horizon Educational team was impressed with all the entries.
“The Faith Baptist Christian School were really strong performers, and I am looking forward to seeing how they go in the USA,” said Rakovsky.
The Faith Baptist Christian School team will depart Australia for Las Vegas on 8 September.
Students who are interested in following in their footsteps can become involved, with team recruitment for the 2024 Regional Horizon H2GP events currently underway.
Schools interested in entering a team and participating in the H2GP program from Horizon Educational can visit the Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) website.
