Hong Kong team in epic 3,000km solar car race across Australian desert
The race from the northern city of Darwin to the southern city of Adelaide is expected to take a week for most cars, with speeds of 90-100 kmh powered only by the sun
An epic 3,000-kilometre solar car race across the desert heart of Australia designed to showcase new technology that could one day help develop commercial vehicles got underway Sunday.
The World Solar Challenge, first run in 1987 and last held in 2015, began in a hi-tech, futuristic flurry from Darwin’s State Square.
Dutch team Nuon is aiming to defend its title but Belgium’s Punch Powertrain led the 42 cars – powered by the sun and mostly developed by universities or corporations – off on the punishing journey south to Adelaide after a surprise win in Saturday’s time trial.
“We knew our car was good but we never expected pole because there are a lot of competitors over here, a lot of very fast looking cars,” team manager Joachin Verheyen said.
A team from the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) is joining the race for the third time, but with a new, much lighter car called SOPHIE VI.
