Daniel Blik traveled from the Netherlands to Australia to participate in a race in which his Hi-Tech vehicle will probably be overtaken by gray nomads that drag caravans.
Fortunately, it is not the hope of lightning speed that attracts competitors from all over the world to Australia to participate in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
The manager of the Zonneteam Twente from the Netherlands told SBS Dutch that the event is more than just a race.
“For us it is very important to show that other transport methods are available and that actual sustainable mobility is an option,” he said.
Almost 40 sun -drenched cars will leave Darwin on Sunday as part of the challenge.
International teams, many representing universities, have been handed over to Darwin before the start of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Source: Delivered / Timo HoogeWoonink
All vehicles that participate have been designed, designed and built by the teams they race.
The course, which covers just over 3000 kilometers through the Australian Outback, from the Darwin to Adelaide, takes place every two years.
The event is intended to promote the development of energy-efficient transport as part of worldwide efforts for low-carbon arm.
It often attracts teams from international universities and technical institutions and private entrepreneurs.
Vehicles compete within three different ‘classes’, so that a variety of technology can be shown.
Kevin van der Putte is a member of the Innoptus Solar Team from Belgium, which set the ‘Challenger’ class of the competition in both 2023 and 2021.
Their vehicle completed the course that drove at an average speed of 88 km per hour.
“Our solar car is a real aerodynamic car, it is super light, it weighs only about 70 kilograms, pure made of carbon,” he said.
“And it also does not require fuel, so it only uses the energy of the sun.”
Jules Teeuwen is behind the wheel for the Brunel Solar team from the Netherlands.
He said the circumstances in the car were challenges for drivers.
“In fact, it is not very comfortable, in earlier editions we have measured the temperature of a maximum of 55 degrees Celsius, and you can also lose up to five kilos of sweat after a Drive of the Zonnecar,” Teeuwen said.
The event continues until August 31 and gives teams a little more than a week to take on the challenge.
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