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World Solar Challenge begins today in Darwin

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http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/...rwin-to-adelaide/story-fni6ul2m-1227573023567

Solar cars to race from Darwin to Adelaide
October 18, 2015 6:31am
AAP
TWENTY-NINE cars from 17 countries are set to leave Darwin in the 2015 World Solar Challenge, racing 3000 kilometres across the country to Adelaide using just the power of the sun.

DEFENDING champions, the Dutch Nuon Solar Team, are once again favoured to be at the head of affairs with the Nuna8 car featuring a new design with improved aerodynamics.

They will be challenged by other regular contenders including the US team from the University of Michigan and the team from Tokai University in Japan with their car, Tokai Challenge. Only minutes separated Nuon and second-placed Tokai in the last challenge in 2013. Nuon spokesman Michel van Baal says the team have prepared well, right down to working out the best lanes to take through city traffic. "Although traffic in Australia is extremely light compared to the Netherlands, around cities it can be busy," Mr van Baal said. "Precious minutes can be lost by making the wrong decisions." Another key aspect for teams has been securing supplies for the trip south, especially distilled water used to keep solar cells clean and cool without leaving a layer of salt on the solar array. Three Australian teams will start from Darwin's State Square on Sunday: Clenergy TeamArrow and teams from Western Sydney University and the University of Adelaide.
Scrutineering took place in Darwin last week to ensure all cars qualify for road registration and meet safety standards. Five teams failed on their first presentation, including Tokai University. The first cars in the Challenger Class are expected to reach Adelaide mid-week.
 
https://au.news.yahoo.com/sa/a/29876649/solar-powered-racers-descend-on-adelaide/

Dutch solar car team Nuon Solar have taken out the 2015 World Solar Challenge in style, clinching a tight victory under a beating sun in Adelaide's CBD.
The team revelled in their second challenge win in a row at the finish line in Victoria Square, popping champagne corks and chanting arm-in-arm around their high-tech racer. Nuon narrowly beat fellow Dutch crew Solar Team Twente, who were only minutes behind in their 3000-kilometre journey through the desert from Darwin to Adelaide. "The drive was intense - the margins have never been closer," Nuon driver Tim Van Leeuwen said after the race. Van Leeuwen was drenched in sweat as he stepped out of the cramped cabin of the sleek, silent car. He said the mercury reached 50C at times in the driver's seat. "There's no windows and there's no air-conditioner - so we take plenty of water in with us." Van Leeuwen was one of three team drivers who rotated every three hours.
He said the high-speed event illustrated the potential of solar power in transportation. "We've just driven right across the Australian outback at an average of 90km/h," he said. "It's incredibly exciting." Twenty-nine high-tech vehicles from 17 countries have been racing in the challenge since Sunday, powered only by the sun.
Three Australian teams competed, including Clenergy Team Arrow, and teams from Western Sydney University and the University of Adelaide.
Adelaide Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said it was a joy to have the race roll into the South Australian capital. "To have the winners here in Adelaide, with all this madness in the background - this is brilliant," he said. "Congratulations to the Dutch."
 
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