An Exceptional Start to NIHS Pedal Prix 2025
Over the weekend of 29-30 March, 16 riders from our Senior Pedal Prix Teams made their way to Mount Gambier to take part in the first round of the Adelaide...
Tailem Bend 6-Hour
On Saturday 17 May, the Norwood International High School Pedal Prix Racing team took to the track at the Tailem Bend 6-hour. This was round 2 of the Adelaide University, Australian HPV Super Series at the Shell V Power Motorsport Park. The cold, wet, and testing conditions did not deter our 7 teams and 50+ students. Last-minute preparation saw students, assisted by parents, switch the trikes into wet weather mode, creating more airflow, reducing tyre pressures and sealing off key areas. As the rain hit its peak for the morning, students took to the grid surrounded by 170 other teams. The track went green at 9:30am with riders settling into their rhythms, despite fogging due to heavy early rain and resulting additional pit stops however they quickly came through the field to be sitting in the middle to top end of each category.
The cool overcast weather, with bursts of rain and sunshine, saw students race with a determined endurance showcasing their collective individual performance towards a team result. Each student contributed through their unique strengths, from strategic riding, vehicle maintenance/preparation, pit coordination and team support. This event offered a powerful, hands-on learning experience that pushed students beyond the classroom and empowered them to strive for their personal best. A diversity of skills and roles within the team was enhanced, with support from parents, staff and old scholars, reflecting Norwood’s commitment to building collective success.
A brief look at NIHS teams and their race results:
Team Rampage: A young group full of new year 7, 8 and 9 riders in 2026.
Riders: Maximo & Ethan (Year 7s), Aditya, Mahir & Jacob (Year 8s) and Saxon (Year 9)
Led by: Sarah (Year 7 parent)
Covered 61 laps and 174km with their fastest lap averaging nearly 40km/h by Maximo. The team finished 14th in the Middle School (S2) Category and 96th overall.
Team Enigma:
Riders: New riders Anna, Allegra, Avigayil (Year 7s) and Vishwa (Year 8) joined the experience of Annabel & Keva (Year 8s) and Violet (Year 9)
Led by: Jo Hess
Enigma is quickly developing as a leading Middle School all-female team. The girls covered 58 laps, 158km with Annabel setting their fastest lap in the last 30mins at an average of 37.6km/h. Coming home second in the Middle School All Female Category (S2F), just 1 lap behind Victoria’s Holy Trinity College and 23rd in Middle School Overall.
Team Protége:
Riders: Austin, Chase, Ruben, Thomas, Kabir and Albert (Year 8s)
Led by: Michael and Janine (Yr 8 parents)
Team Protége rode fantastically across the 6 hours. The boys pushed for 5th place in the Middle school (S2) category, with 66 laps covering 186km with Austin grabbing their fastest lap with an average of 38.5km/h.
Team Focus:
Riders: Daniel (Year 12), Lachlan (Year 11), and Hyun-Woo, Kobe, Harry and Owen (Year 10s)
Led by: Simon Clark and Arron Broom
An experienced team that rode a smart clean race. Pushing through 70 Laps saw the boys manage 11th in the Senior School (S3) Category, travelling almost 200km in the 6hrs. Daniel set their fastest laps in the final stages of the race managing an average of 42.6km/h.
Team Astro:
Riders: Isaac & Noah (Year 11s), Jackson, Henry, Leo & Connor (Year 10s)
Led by: Mick (Year 11 parent)
Team Astro put on an impressive performance. A mid-race accident was a learning experience, a few additional pit stops over the next 60 minutes saw the team out of position, but with the trike back in a drivable condition they moved up through the field. An impressive finishing stint from Isaac saw their fastest lap averaging 45km/h and brought the boys into 8th in the Senior School (S3) category, covering 74 laps and 208km/h.
Team XP8:
Riders: Digby, Nick, Remy, Connor (Year 12) and Luca & Chase (Year 11)
Led by: Phil (Year 12 Parent)
The team moved through the day in impressive form, with smooth early riding from Digby, seeing the team momentarily in 4th place overall. An inspiring final 2 hours saw the lead in the Senior School Category move between Norwood and Pembroke. An operational race stoppage saw XP8 internally fog, requiring an additional pit stop, the lead slipped and despite impressive riding from Remy including their fastest lap averaging 50k/h the team came home in 2nd place in S2. Completing 87 laps, covering 245km.
Team Spurls:
Riders: Sofia (Year 12), Julissa (Year 11) and Willow, Grace K, Grace S, Serena and Ava (Year 10s)
Led by: Ms O’Brien and April (Year 10 parent)
Team Spurls rode with impressive confidence. The girls demonstrated their ability and put a new trike to excellent use, being the leading all-female team on track through the first half of the race. Lap 53 saw Sofia set the fastest lap in the senior school all-female category averaging 43km/h. After 6 hours the team rode home 11th in the S3 category and 1st in the Senior School (S3) all-female category. Riding through 43 laps, covering 208km.
The Pedal Prix journey will now take students to a home race at Victoria Park for the Festival of Pedal Prix across the weekend of 13-15 June. Students will support and run two teams for Magill Primary School on Friday 13 June as part of a new feeder program to guide students into Pedal Prix at Norwood in the years to come. Saturday will see staff and parents take to the track in the Masters category and Sunday will see our 7 student teams build upon their current series positions.
A big thanks to our key sponsors for keeping us on track in 2025. The Rotary Club of St Peters has again come on board in support of our students as they learn to develop and implement new skills through real-world experience. People’s Choice Norwood branch has continued their sponsorship over a third year and it’s fantastic to partner with a supportive local business. Trump Trikes is an SA-based manufacturer of Pedal Prix Trikes and has seen a partnership with Norwood continue over nearly 15 years, the ongoing help and assistance of Jason and their team ensure we have safe, efficient and enjoyable vehicles to ride out on track.
Photos captured by Victoria Yurkova
Ben O’Connell
Pedal Prix Manager
