[wws]

This years World Solar Challenge, the race across Australias outback from Darwin to Adelaide, just started:

https://worldsolarchallenge.org/dashboard/map

So far, after Day 1, it seems the Dutch Nuon team is holding the first position.

 

[Upper5Percent]

 

[Upper5Percent]

 

[Upper5Percent]

 

[wws]

I like it!

(Why doesn't this forum have a 'like' button?)

They claim that in 2013, the Cruiser class winner only used 65 kWh of external (non-solar) energy to go the 3000 km. Cruiser class requires the car to hold one or more passengers. The rules require the cars to have an average speed of at least 60 km/h (about 37 mph). So it is a pretty impressive feat.

As an aside, J.B. Straubel, the CTO of Tesla, competed in the WSC when he was at Stanford. He has stated that they actively try to hire engineers that have worked on the teams. (No doubt especially Stanford...)

 

[Upper5Percent]

This years World Solar Challenge, the race across Australias outback from Darwin to Adelaide, just started:

https://worldsolarchallenge.org/dashboard/map

So far, after Day 1, it seems the Dutch Nuon team is holding the first position.

On Day 2 the lead has changed...
Tokai University
TOKAI CHALLENGER

Nuon Solar Team
NUNA9
but they are basically neck and neck...

And Stella Vie is leading the Cruiser Class...big time...

 

[wws]

I think Nuon was still ahead at the end of Day 2. But Tokai was very close.

Some great photos on the WSC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WorldSolar...9CwUavz5yd7OcOG35Pw3bTgFKw3ZwaWT0opp2UxAiYrms

The tail on the #11 car looks a lot like a '66 Dodge Charger...

 

[Upper5Percent]

I think Nuon was still ahead at the end of Day 2. But Tokai was very close.

Some great photos on the WSC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WorldSolar...9CwUavz5yd7OcOG35Pw3bTgFKw3ZwaWT0opp2UxAiYrms

The tail on the #11 car looks a lot like a '66 Dodge Charger...

View attachment 141369

I was thinking it looked more like the 69 Barracuda...

But since that is a German team...I see where they got their idea from...
View attachment 141361




Nuon has stretched the gap when I just checked...

Stella Vie is cruising in the Cruiser Class

 

[volt spain]

Has anyone try to cover the rear wheels of the VOLT?. It will look like a Nash, but will improve the miles per KWhour.!!!

 

[wws]

Has anyone try to cover the rear wheels of the VOLT?. It will look like a Nash, but will improve the miles per KWhour.!!!

Gen 1 Volts had the option of the Ampera Sport wheels that were probably a bit more aerodynamic than the stock wheels. Has anyone tried to compare the two?

At the end of Day 3, Nuon is still in the lead and has broadened it a bit. U of Michigan in in 2nd place. Team Twente from the Netherlands is in 3rd. Tokai has fallen backwards to #4. Per the map, the three leading teams have already entered South Australia. The next two are very near the border. The Stanford team, from here in the Bay Area, is in 12th place of 15.

In the Cruiser class, #11 from Bochum, Germany is in the lead. They made it past Alice Springs. Most of the other Cruisers seem to be overnighting in Alice.

 

[Upper5Percent]

Gen 1 Volts had the option of the Ampera Sport wheels that were probably a bit more aerodynamic than the stock wheels. Has anyone tried to compare the two?

At the end of Day 3, Nuon is still in the lead and has broadened it a bit. U of Michigan in in 2nd place. Team Twente from the Netherlands is in 3rd. Tokai has fallen backwards to #4. Per the map, the three leading teams have already entered South Australia. The next two are very near the border. The Stanford team, from here in the Bay Area, is in 12th place of 15.

In the Cruiser class, #11 from Bochum, Germany is in the lead. They made it past Alice Springs. Most of the other Cruisers seem to be overnighting in Alice.

Nuna9 has really stretched out its lead over Novum!!

What happened to Stella Vie in the Cruiser Class?

Could this have anything to do with it?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-...transport-delays-put-pressure-on-team/8978168

The team's 2017 car, Stella Vie, was supposed to arrive in Darwin at the end of August, but a three-and-a-half week delay has put unexpected pressure on the team.
"It took away a lot of our testing time so that's unfortunate," Mr Gubbels said.

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Nuna9 has really stretched out its lead over Novum!!

What happened to Stella Vie in the Cruiser Class?

Could this have anything to do with it?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-...transport-delays-put-pressure-on-team/8978168

The team's 2017 car, Stella Vie, was supposed to arrive in Darwin at the end of August, but a three-and-a-half week delay has put unexpected pressure on the team.
"It took away a lot of our testing time so that's unfortunate," Mr Gubbels said.

Look at the Cruiser Class under the Results tab.
Although Bochum's ahead on the road you can see that the Stella Vie has a much better efficiency score. It's a 5-seater, so it has a lot of passenger-km and they have only used half the external charging energy of Bochum.

 

[Upper5Percent]

Look at the Cruiser Class under the Results tab.
Although Bochum's ahead on the road you can see that the Stella Vie has a much better efficiency score. It's a 5-seater, so it has a lot of passenger-km and they have only used half the external charging energy of Bochum.

I saw the efficiency score...but up to Alice Springs they had been in the physical lead of the cruiser class and now they are second...I was wondering if they had to do some tinkering in Alice Springs before they started out again...

 

[wws]

At the end of Day 4 - Nuon way in the lead. They only have about 290 miles to Adelaide. The next four stopped around Glendambo - about 366 miles to Adelaide. The Punch team from Belgium moved into third place, and Tokai fell to fifth. These teams should easily make it to Adelaide on Day 5. The last place car is just south of Alice Springs - about 360 miles between Nuon and them. They will probably need an extra day to complete the journey.

In Cruiser, #11 from Bochum, is still in the lead. They have passed through Coober Pedy (love those Austrailian names) and have about 500 miles to Adelaide. Stella Vie is in second place distance wise, and still rated 1st by a long shot in efficiency score.

 

[wws]

Day 5 - Nuon just made it to Adelaide! The next four are past Port Augusta. Michigan 2nd, Punch 3rd. Tokai swapped places with Twente. All remaining cars are now in South Australia.

 

[Bill Step]

shows in the gallery of pics that Nuon won.wonder how its time compares to the Gm car that won.

 

[wws]

shows in the gallery of pics that Nuon won.wonder how its time compares to the Gm car that won.

Sunraycer arrived in Adelaide on Day 6 in the first race. Interestingly Sunraycer had a 8 sq-meter solar array on it, part silicon and part GaAs. This years cars are only allowed 4 sq-meter Si and 2.7 (IIRC) sq-meter for GaAs. (Cruiser class cars are allowed a little larger solar arrays.) Here is a really good tech description of Sunraycer: http://calteches.library.caltech.edu/605/2/MacCready.pdf

 

[Upper5Percent]

I just don't think this will catch on with the Formula 1 and/or NASCAR crowd...

Seems to be similar to the Six Day Bicycle Race in one aspect...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-day_racing

 

[wws]

I just don't think this will catch on with the Formula 1 and/or NASCAR crowd...

Seems to be similar to the Six Day Bicycle Race in one aspect...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-day_racing

I enjoy all forms of car racing. But as an unabashed tech nerd, this one has always fascinated me.

 

[Upper5Percent]

I enjoy all forms of car racing. But as an unabashed tech nerd, this one has always fascinated me.

Race the Sun is what awakened my interest in solar car competition...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_the_Sun