The Nuon Solar team, the flying Dutch from The Netherlands, today (10/12) claimed their seventh title in the Challenger class as they crossed the Official Finish Line in Victoria Square Adelaide, first in the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
They crossed ahead of USA's Michigan, who are on track for second place, in their torpedo shaped Novum' and their best ever result in Australia. Punch Powertrain from Belgium are also on track for their best result since 2007, with a 3rd place podium finish.
It is fitting in the event's 30th anniversary year, that the most successful team ever, crossed the line first, jubilant in their familiar orange shirts, they were swamped by their support crew, family and friends. Champagne flowed as they dragged each other into the water for the traditional dunking, synonymous with the finish line.
Nuon took the lead early and never looked back. Strategists watched the weather, energy consumption and predicted the best way through the clouds. Nuon Team Manager, Sander Koot, said they adjusted their strategy and driving style to the nerve-wracking weather conditions with wind gusts of up to 60 kilometres per hour. Aerodynamics expert for the team, Jasper Hemmes, said drivers were instructed to position the solar car in such a way to profit from the winds as if it were a sailing ship.
In the cars of the future, the Cruiser Class, who are taking the green to the mainstream, Dutch team Eindhoven, are on track for their moment in the sun tomorrow - charging towards their time target of between 11am and 2pm. Both Eindhoven and HS Bochum from Germany are south of the Glendambo and Australia's Clenergy Team Arrow are in Glendambo with Hong Kong's IVE just to the north.
An update will be available after Day 5 of the Challenge concludes at 5pm Darwin time.
Follow team progress on the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge live team tracker as they make their way towards Adelaide on www.worldsolarchallenge.org/dashboard/map
Celebrating 30 years this year, the world's biggest solar challenge began in 1987 and is a 3,000-kilometre endurance adventure that occurs once every two years. The BWSC has become the world's foremost innovation challenge with teams from around the world vying to become the first to deliver sustainable solar powered electric vehicles. Teams are striving to make the Darwin start line on Sunday 8 October, in their bid to deliver the world's most efficient solar electric car. Three classes of vehicle, Challenger, Cruiser and Adventure, will take on the Aussie outback in a contest of endurance, strategy and innovation. The elite Challenger Class is conducted in a single stage from Darwin to Adelaide and 2017 will see the third running of the Cruiser Class (the race within the race), created to encourage the green to the mainstream by designing practical electric vehicles where success is judged on a range of design and performance measures.
The stage is set for a total eclipse of past events and achievements. For event details go to: www.worldsolarchallenge.org
For further event media information please contact: Judi Lalor + 61 409188 129 media@worldsolarchallenge.org
April 20, 2024
