World Solar Challenge

[Pierre]

The World Solar Challenge or the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge since 2013 due to the sponsorship of Bridgestone Corporation is a biennial solar-powered car race which covers 3,022 km (1,878 mi) through the Australian Outback, from Darwin, Northern Territory to Adelaide, South Australia - - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Solar_Challenge

The race attracts teams from around the world, most of which are fielded by universities or corporations although some are fielded by high schools. The race has a 30-year history spanning thirteen races, with the inaugural event taking place in 1987.
- The 30th anniversary event will be held October 8–15, 2017.

Belgian team hopes to make history in sun-powered race across Australia:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-07/w ... ry/9026970
The World Solar Challenge will begin in Darwin on Sunday, on a 3,000-kilometre transcontinental journey to Adelaide.

The Pole position was taken out by Belgian team Punch Powertrain in a time of 2:03.8, hitting an average speed of 83.4km/h.


This will be the Site to watch, as the Race unfolds:
https://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/dashboard/timing

[kyphi]

I hope that the sun shines on them in their endeavour

Hopefully these vehicles are air-conditioned? It will get pretty hot in those tiny cabins in full sun.

[Portreve]

Qapla'!

[jimallyn]

Hopefully these vehicles are air-conditioned?

You're kidding right? I would say you'd have a choice: run the airconditioner, or drive the car.

[kyphi]

It is called "tongue in cheek" jimallyn

I doubt that many people living in the northern hemisphere would have any idea of how hot it can get here at this time of the year, especially up north? The only consolation might be that it gets cooler as you travel south and "no", it is not downhill either.

Hopefully they have enough power to run a cooling fan.

I wish the competitors bonne chance.

[Pierre]

and they are off:

In pictures: Solar challenge race begins in Australia:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-41541243

University of Cambridge solar car crashes before race:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-camb ... e-41486526
The Cambridge University Eco-Racing team's solar-powered Mirage car rolled,
- after suffering "a sudden loss of dynamic stability" in Australia ahead of the World Solar Challenge.
The damage was "irreparable".

[Portreve]

I doubt that many people living in the northern hemisphere would have any idea of how hot it can get here at this time of the year, especially up north? The only consolation might be that it gets cooler as you travel south and "no", it is not downhill either.

“I always like going South; somehow, it feels like going downhill.”

[jimallyn]

I doubt that many people living in the northern hemisphere would have any idea of how hot it can get here at this time of the year, especially up north?

It's been known to reach 44 C here, maybe a little higher. When this car came through town, it did not have a fan:

http://www.xof1.com/

[kyphi]

Some more news here:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-08/w ... rt/9028088

Interesting that the rules governing this race allow for a storage capacity of 5 kWh, so they must have a battery on board (for a fan?).

[Pjotr]

Go Dutch teams!

[NChewie]

jimallyn wrote:

kyphi wrote:
I doubt that many people living in the northern hemisphere would have any idea of how hot it can get here at this time of the year, especially up north?


It's been known to reach 44 C here, maybe a little higher.

Even in soggy Ireland we get hot weather...

Highest air temperature: 33.3°C at Kilkenny Castle on 26th June 1887.
Highest air temperature recorded during the 20th Century was 32.5°C at Boora, Co. Offaly on 29th June 1976.

(About once per century)

A bigger problem would be damp electrics and lack of sunshine!

[Citizen229]

Umm we have deserts in the northern hemisphere as well

Hmm lets see Aussie... someone should take their blown 302C for a spin right past these tree huggin electric racers

[kyphi]

... someone should take their blown 302C for a spin right past these tree huggin electric racers

Hmmm! ...and I thought that Neanderthal man was extinct.

More news on the World Solar Challenge:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-10/w ... es/9033056

Check the progress of your compatriots on this map:

https://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/dashboard/map

The Eindhoven team is near the front (again).

[BG405]

It's been known to reach 44 C here, maybe a little higher.

44°C is not that bad if you're used to it, especially if it isn't humid, I suppose. Reflective materials should make it a bit cooler inside, haven't actually looked at the vehicles yet though. Had these sort of temps for weeks (indoors) this summer, got up to 48°C for a few hours one day. Manageable as it was sustained, allowing time to acclimatize. A rare event for us Brits. Some couldn't stand it though.

However, looks like lack of sun is the issue now ...

Day 4 in the RACV Cruiser Class event proved to be a further challenge for many, with cloud and rain increasing their reliance on external energy. As a result we’ve seen a few different strategies.

Eindhoven and Bochum both reduced the number of people carried for a portion of the day -- the first time Eindhoven has carried less than their maximum capacity of five, with just the driver in the car into Coober Pedy. All other teams except Apollo have also run with just one person.

Eindhoven’s strategy seems to be to recharge each night, and adjust their energy use by reducing the number of people to match the available energy from the sun to ensure that they meet the deadline of 2 pm on Friday.

Unsurprisingly, all cars charged the battery overnight. ...

[kyphi]

Here you are Dutchy, looks like you are doing it yet again.

Well Done and Congratulations.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-13/d ... technology


On another note, this could be a bit of a worry:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-14/d ... rs/9049860

[kyphi]

Some insight into the background of participating in this race:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-16/c ... ar/9051794