The Bridgestone World Challenge earlier this year takes place. In Australia it is now winter. Not the winter as we know it, by the way. In the starting place Darwin it is currently around 30 degrees, but the sun is lower in the sky and that is the ‘fuel for the car’. In the southern finish place, the temperatures are lower and vary between 8 and 20 degrees.
On the Hidden Valley circuit in the Northern Darwin, the Student Team Top Dutch Solar Racing set a second lap time (1:56:20, 88.95 km/h). The TU Delft team finished third in almost 3 seconds. The Sonnenwagen of the University of Aachen was the fastest at a speed of 91.83 km/h. But as is known from Formula 1, the ‘Racepace’ is that ultimately counts. Shortly fast is a lot different than long and far. The current world champion Innoptus from Belgium finished in 12th position.
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The qualification determined the starting positions of the total of 26 solar cars. Each team only had one chance to set a fast round. For the Brunel Solar team, driver Lucas de Jong took a seat behind the wheel. In the run -up to the day, he prepared thoroughly: together with a professional driver, he drove the circuit to perfect the ideal lines and bend technology.
Driver Lucas de Jong is jonasted by his teammates after achieving the third place. © Jorrit Lousberg
De Jong: ,, This was my fastest round ever. It feels good that the preparation has paid off today. I knew the circuit in detail and could get the most out of Nuna. With only two teams at the start, we are very satisfied with our starting position. Catching up costs a lot of energy, so we can lose valuable minutes. This place gives us confidence for a strong opening day. “
More Dutch teams
The most successful team over the years, the Brunel Solar team of TU Delft is not the only Dutch team participating. The Student Team Top Dutch Solar Racing from Groningen that is the only one that is not affiliated with a University, Solar Team Twente (University of Twente) and Solar Team Eindhoven (TU Eindhoven) are also appearing at the start.
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On Sunday morning at 8 a.m. Australian Time, the starting signal sounds and the solar cars start the race to Adelaide. “Now that all the tests and qualification have gone well, we can fully focus on the race,” says Daan van den Dries, racing manager at the Brunel Solar Team. For a year we worked towards the moment. We are combative, sharp and are really looking forward to it. “
The race ends in a week on Sunday 31 August in Adelaide.
More than 3000 kilometers from north to south of Australia. © Google Maps