Shot Notes

Today saw the start of the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. After a discussion with the Benz World Blog readership, and given my van is older than most of the contestants, I decided to get a head start. I left Darwin 30min before the start and 15mins down the road. It was just enough to spread out the field and support cars. 1 hour and 80km from the start I was overtaken by my first solar car, BluePoint from Belgium closely followed by RED E from the Netherlands. This is exactly as they appeared in the prophetic Track Testing post. Next was Top Dutch Solar who started in pole position. Then this car from Kogakuin University Solar Team with their car KUTE Eagle. Their car, whose shape is based on the beak of a bird also has a unique air-oil suspension. Unlike most teams who have prioritised aerodynamics over power, this Japanese team have built a tilting panel which can maximise the power from the sun. Unfortunately, their motor blow out just after the first control stop in Katherine giving them 1hr of roadside repairs. In what must be one of the races outstanding performances they rejoined the top quarter of the field at the second control stop in Daly Waters with 2 minutes to spare.

This image has been accepted by Shutterstock for Editorial Stock Photography and is available for download here.

Leave a Reply