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World Solar Challenge

It's been more than six months since the World Solar Challenge, and every once in a while small news items pop up. I found an in-depth article () about the many crashes in the 2009 WSC on the well-informed blog WSCTube.com (). The article describes the causes of the crashes and possible measures that may have to be taken to prevent these in the future. The article also features a detailed overview of all six individual 2009 crashes. Worth a read!

I agree with the conclusions of the article, which say that it's possible to set certain design limits for the vehicles which leave the competition element mostly intact but make the vehicles substantially safer. These rules may also push the vehicles towards the 'look and feel' of normal cars.

I'm very curious about the 2011 WSC, but we'll have to be patient

Looking towards the future is fun; but so can be looking back at the past! The same blog features an article () from the November 1983 edition of National Geographic, which describes the then revolutionary Quiet Achiever and its 4000+ kilometer trip from Perth to Sydney by the end of 1982 - now more than 27 years ago! This journey formed the basis for the later WSC which was held in 1987 for the first time. It's fun and interesting to see how quickly the development of the solar racing cars have gone, from a 'cart' on four bicycle wheels, capable of only 65km/h in 1983 to the supersleek racing cars attaining speeds of over 140km/h in 2009.

Nuna 5

After a second place in the World Solar Challenge, Nuna5 may go to the Dream Cup () in Japan, possible to show the WSC's winner (Tokai university) to show who really should have won in Australia

I really don't know anything about the Dream Cup, and it doesn't help that their website is in Japanese only. According to Nuon Solar Team's website (/) about 90 teams are competing, and that makes it a lot bigger than the WSC. A difference is that the WSC is held on public roads and that the Dream Cup is held on the circuit of Suzuka ().

I'll keep an eye on it and report what I know!

The Solar Team Twente () has updated its website with a list of vacancies () for the 2011 team. Although it isn't mentioned specifically I assume one has to be a student at one of the Saxion () universities to be eligible for a position. I would love to work for the team, for instance as a reporter, but I'm afraid I don't possess the necessary organisational skills, and besides, I don't study at the Saxion.

I do plan to cover the World Solar Challenge () in 2011 in as much detail as possible on this website.

Umicar Inspire

The Belgian Televisionchannel Canvas () broadcasts a two-part documentary about the Belgian Umicore Solar Team (). The first part was broadcast on December 22nd, but unfortunately Canvas doesn't put past programs fully online. A view short pieces of the program can be watched online ().

The second part is broadcast on December 29th, I'm certainly going to watch that!

The Umicore Solor Team's website has an article () online about how their racing car was thoroughly tested in side-wind conditions, and that the gust which caused the final crash must have been exceptionally strong.

World Solar Challenge

Besides the discussion about the possible necessity of new safety rules, some people have asked me the question: what's the point of the World Solar Challenge? To answer this question it might be useful to take a look at the past, present and future of the WSC.

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