Engen Refinery responds
November 2004
News
SA Instrumentation & Control thanks Engen Refinery for its response to the invitation extended to Sapref, Engen and Sasol to give their position on safety issues. See 'Safety measures at Engen'.
Four months of silence
It has now been more than four months (at time of going to press) since this invitation, Sapref and Sasol still remain silent.
Flower Power team wins Red Bull boxcar race, Durban 2004
What on earth has this to do with SA Instrumentation & Control? Well, some of the people in the winning 'flower power' team (see picture) happen to also be a big part of the team that puts together this magazine! On Monday 18 October we all gathered in the Technique Design production area and drank a toast to their magnificent success. First out a field of 68 - not too shabby.
Team Flower Power members (from left): James Williamson - editor of Dataweek, Alain Loretz - Technique Design, Bruce Scott (driver), Brendan Allis - Technique Design
Flower Power facts and figures
Flower Power received 52,5/60 for creativity, 80/80 for their skit - and their cart was among the fastest there with a time of 48 seconds. A foot over the starting line incurred a 10 second penalty - but they won in spite of this. Flower Power's average speed was around 33 km/h, the fastest cart averaged 41 km/h, taking 39 seconds.
Months were spent in preparation and their efforts were very obviously appreciated - as even their competition were cheering for them. Theirs was the only pit area to feature real grass (which was mowed repeatedly with a petrol lawnmower). In contrast to the popular heavy rock 'n roll backing music, Flower Power amused the crowds with a sweet little routine featuring Barney the dinosaur on lead vocals.
Team members were dressed up (uh, down?) as sunflowers complete with hovering bees dangling from bits of wire. The cart was a mobile garden also sporting insects dangling in various places. The driver's leaves were flapping about around the rim of his helmet as he belted down the hill in his runaway window box. They were definitely very different. The crowd loved them. Well-done guys!
John Gibbs, editor
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