From rev head to solar-powered sensation
Former Formula Ford race car driver Chris Ahern will get behind the wheel of a Queensland-built solar car to battle for pole position in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge tomorrow morning (Saturday 5 October, 2013).
Mr Ahern, of Brisbane, will race in the qualifying lap at Hidden Valley in Darwin against 40 international teams, hoping to secure Queensland's Team Arrow the fastest lap time and best position for when the flag drops on the World Solar Challenge on Sunday.
Mr Ahern said he would be relying on his experience as a high speed Formula Ford driver to push the limits of the 180kg solar car.
"On a race track, regardless of the car you're driving, you are trying to extract the most out of the vehicle and, in order to do that, you need to very precise," Mr Ahern said.
"There's a fine line between what's risky and fast and what is risky and race-ending.
"The precision and discipline to drive a single-seater race car are the same when you're driving a solar car on the track."
Team Arrow has reached speeds of 120km/hr in track testing at Hidden Valley in the lead up to the event.
Media Contact: Lauren Ritchie, Team Arrow Media, 0427 137 022 or 0424 216 631
