Challenge Updates
Final Results
04/11/2011
Final results for the 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge signed by the Chief Timekeeper have been released today.
It seems the publication of the final results have been as complicated as the event itself. As was stated at the awards ceremony, the near perfect weather experienced in the past three or four events lulled many experienced Solar Challengers into a false sense of security. This time there were those who were able to take on a few hours unexpected static charge while waiting for bushfire ravished roads to reopen. Others struggled under the thousands of square kilometres of smoke haze which drifted across the continent, often thick enough to blot out the sun altogether. Further south there was the cloud – fickle at first but spreading in density to a full 8 Okta with one team reporting less than 100w ^Mtr! Then the rains came. It is important for new readers to note that the event is held in a single stage over many thousands of kilometres thus conditions which affect some may not affect others and the fundamental strategy of managing a very limited amount of stored energy over the whole route became a very interesting exercise.
Teams not able to maintain a reasonable minimum speed are invited to maximise their experience in the event by running their solarcar for a few hours each day before moving their car forward in their truck or on their trailer. The rules surrounding this exercise allow a great deal of flexibility in their application to enable the particular circumstances and the conditions to be taken into consideration.
The finalisation of the results was delayed mostly by the contention of one team who, so desperate to show their sponsors a clean finish, demanded recognition of a place the number of irregularities involved denied them.
A small number of teams questioned the number of solar kilometres attributed to them so the decision was taken to audit all the log books where these are recorded in the team log by the Observer (which the team manager should sign at the end of each day) and transmitted to Mission Control for incorporation into the overall results.
Interesting errors such as trailered Km being substituted for Solar Km, and solar credits being given to Control Points instead of actual distance covered were discovered and the complications of this event outlined earlier led to some interesting arithmetic from some Observers! Some gained from the exercise, others not. The figures have now been checked and cross checked with the result that we are now able to verify the Official Record and present the final results.
Overall a brilliant and exciting event with grateful thanks to all involved.
Chris Selwood, Event Director, Veolia World Solar Challenge
2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge
24/10/2011
2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge Provisional Results
The results are subject to protest from one of the teams and as such cannot remain provisional until the outcome of the protest is determined.
As many of the Observers, Judges and Officials are travelling to thier own countries this matter will be resolved as soon as it is practical to do so.
Day 7 Unofficial 2pm Update
22/10/2011
Saturday 22 October
2pm Darwin Time - Unofficial Positions
Aussies battle it out to the end!
Victoria Square Adelaide was bathed in sunshine today as teams celebrated their arrival after travelling more than 3000 kilometres from Darwin to Adelaide in the Veolia World Solar Challenge. Having survived bushfires, road trains and extremely heavy cloud cover, the Square's fountain was a welcome respite and scene of celebrations.
Nuon Solar Car Team
21/10/2011
Nuon Solar Car Team is expected to arrive in Victoria Square, Adelaide at approximately 10am. University of Michigan are expected to arrive in Victoria Square at 10.30am.
Nuon Solar Car Team has arrived in Victoria Square!!!!!
21/10/2011
Nuon Solar Car Team has arrived in Victoria Square!!
Top Three Teams
21/10/2011
Top three teams have now reached Victoria Square!
Angle Vale Update
21/10/2011
Solar Team Twente and Ashiya University have finished timing in Angle Vale.
Finish Line
21/10/2011
Team Ashiya from Japan has crossed the finish of timing point in Angle Vale this afternoon at 4.19pm Darwin Time (4th) and Team Twente from the Netherlands (5th) at 4.26 pm Darwin time.
Day 6 Unofficial 5pm Update and Provisional Results
21/10/2011
Attention Chief of Staff/Accredited Media
Friday 12 October, 2011
5pm Darwin Time - Unofficial Positions
Latest teams to cross the finish of timing - Ashiya from Japan at 4.19pm Darwin time and Twente from the Netherlands at 4.26pm Darwin time - they will be welcomed to Victoria Square tomorrow morning.
Due to weather the majority of teams are now trailering to Adelaide - thier solar kilometres will be calculated on arrival. Provisional results reflect teams last positions through checkpoints. Solar kilometres may have changed during the day and may not be shown in the provisional results.
Celebrations in the fountain as teams struggle in the clouds
While the first three teams already acrossthe finish of timing, Tokai from Japan (1st), Nuon from the Netherlands (2nd) and University of Michigan (3rd) celebrated with a traditional fountain dunking in Victoria Square, Adelaide, mother-nature dished out another hurdle for the other 34 teams still making their way to Adelaide.
View full provisional results here
Veolia World Solar Challenge Day 6 - Provisional Results
21/10/2011
Day 6 Provisional Results Released
Provisional results update
20/10/2011
The provisional results for day 4 contained an error. The time listed for Tokai arrival was actually their departure time. Correct arrival time at Glemdambo was 14:54 they departed at 15:24. Apologies for the confusion. Looking forward to an exciting Day 5!
Tafe SA update!
20/10/2011
Tafe SA currently sitting 27th place due to leave 8:10am from Alice Springs Checkpoint! Visit the World Solar Challenge Facebook pages for Day 3 photos of the Tafe SA team.
Team Bochum
20/10/2011
Team Bochum into Alice Springs 8:34
MIT
20/10/2011
MIT SEVT-USA into Alice Springs 8:50
Columbian Students Down Under for The Challenge
20/10/2011
A group of science enthused Year 8 students from Medellin in Columbia have won the trip of their lifetime after winning a Solar Car Competition with over 500 competing teams from more than 200 schools in Columbia!
The 13 year old boys developed the winning car in the competition made by solar panels donated by sponsor EPM, Columbia’s main power supply company. The competition organized by the Science Foundation of Columbia aims to create interest amongst Years 8, 9 and 10 students with the hope of building their own Columbian Solar Car to compete in a future Veolia World Solar Challenge.
The competition also donated the second and third prize winners a Physic’s Laboratory for their school promoting continued education about solar power and renewable energy sources for the environment.
The Columbian team will be in Australia for 5 days, attending the Victoria Square ceremonial finish and a quick visit to Sydney on thier way home. Hopefully we will see them competing in future years!
Angle Vale Update
20/10/2011
Tokai University - Japan has reached the Official End of Timing in Angle Vale!!
Nuon Update
20/10/2011
Nuon Solar Team, running 2nd has reached Pt Wakefield
Weather Update
20/10/2011
Weather Report! It's raining in Glendambo with total cloud cover!
Tokai headed for Vic Square
20/10/2011
Tokai University - Japan has is headed for Victoria Square, Adelaide!
Victoria Square Update
20/10/2011
Get down to Victoria Square to experience the lead solar car of the 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge Tokai University cross the finish line!!
Tokai Univeristy have arrived in Victoria Square!!!!
20/10/2011
Tokai Univeristy have arrived in Victoria Square!!!!
Nuon Solar Car Team have run out of energy and will stay the night in Angle Vale with Michigan.
Nuon expected to arrive in Victoria Square approximately 10am tomorrow.
Tokai University celebrates crossing the finish line
20/10/2011
Tokai University celebrate crossing the finish line of the 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge in the Victoria Square fountain, Adelaide, South Australia.
Green Maniac
20/10/2011
Green Maniac - Korea have official withdrawn from the event. They are currently in Coober Pedy. We look forward to celebrating their achievement at the finish line.
Day 5 Provisional Results
20/10/2011
Thursday 20 October, 2011
5pm Darwin Time - Provisional Results Day 5
TOKAI SHINES AS CLOUNDS ROLL IN
Team Tokai from Japan did their country proud as they crossed the finish of timing line in the Veolia World Solar Challenge today at 1.07pm Darwin time. They took 32 hours and 45 minutes to drive thier car, Tokai Challenger2, 3021 kilometres on solar power averging a speed of 91.54 kiloemtres per hour.
2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge Day 5 - Provisional Results
20/10/2011
2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge
Day 5 - Thursday 20 October 2011
Provisional Results
1. Tokai University
2. Nuon Solar Car Team
3. University of Michigan
4. Ashiya University
5. Solar Team Twente
6. Aurora
7. Umicore Solar Team
8. UNSW Solar Team
9. Istanbul University
10. Stanford Solarcar Project
Race Leaders
19/10/2011
Race Leaders Update! Team Tokai from Japan are approximately 100km's north of Coober Pedy checkpoint at the Opal Inn!
Arrivals in Alice Springs
19/10/2011
Arrivals in Alice Springs today
9:26 Istanbul University - Turkey
9:40 Stanford Solarcar Project - USA
11.15 Team Okinawa - Japan
Aurora update
19/10/2011
Australian team Aurora is now in 4th place after overtaking Ashiya University!
Asia's Solar Car Teams on the Road in Australia
19/10/2011
South of Coober Pedy - Tokai University - Japan - currently in 1st place
Teams south of Tennant Creek - Uni Malayia Pahong - Malaysia, Solaris - India, Team Solar Phillipines - Phillipines, Green Maniac - Korea
South of Kulgera - Ashiya University, Japan
... Ti Tree Checkpoint - Uniten, Malaysia
Alice Springs Checkpoint - Nanyang Tech Uni, Singapore
South of Alice Springs - Apollo Solar Car Team, Taiwan
Currently off the radar (but between Tennant Creek & Coober Pedy) - Team Okinawa, Japan
Aussie's on the Move!
19/10/2011
Aussie's on the Move!
Teams south of Kulgera - Aurora and TAFE SA
South of Ti Tree - UNSW Solar Team
Alice Springs Update
19/10/2011
University of Tehran into Alice Springs 16:35
Solar Energy Racers into Alice Springs 16:36
Tafe South Australia into Alice Springs 16:40
Day 4 19th October Provisional Results
19/10/2011
2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge
Day 4 - 19th October 2011
Provisional Results
TOKAI IN TIGHT TUSSLE TO THE FINISH
19/10/2011
Thursday 20 October, 2011
12pm Darwin Time – unofficial positions
TOKAI IN TIGHT TUSSLE TO THE FINISH
In one of the closest finishes in the history of the Veolia World Solar Challenge two teams were at the final checkpoint in Port Augusta after 2,719 kilometres of solar powered racing. They are now making their way on the final leg to the Finish of Timing in Angle Vale near the corner of St Kilda Road and Port Wakefield Road and then to the Ceremonial Finish and celebrations at Victoria Square.
Team Tokai from Japan reached Port Augusta at 9.42am and Nuon from the Netherlands pulled in at 10.08. Team Michigan is still in third place some 100 kilometres behind in Port Augusta at 11.22 am.
Day 3 Update
18/10/2011
1. Cars at Wauchope will depart from 0800 maintaining the separation with which they arrived.
2. Cars that were held at Tennant Creek will be given a departure time calculated to maintain their separation at the time the event was disrupted.
3. The published closing times of Control Stops south of Tennant Creek will be extended by 4 hours to compensate for the disruption.
4. As the condition of the infrastructure of the Barrow Creek hotel is unknown, the Barrow Creek control stop will be relocated approx. 100km south to Ti Tree.
Day 3 Team Update
18/10/2011
Update on depature times from Tennant Creek
Cars to depart Tennant Creek today 18th October at the following times:
Aurora 8.50am
Ashiya University 9.05am
Solar Team Twente 9.09am
UNSW Solar Team 9.18am
Umicore Solar Team 9.32am
Istanbul Univeristy 10.36am
Team Okinawa 11.53am
Standford Solar Car Project 11.57am
Cars that arrive at Tennant Creek before 2pm today 18th October will be held for 3 hours 52 minutes after the completion for a 30 minute control stop and any penalty time.
Day 3 Update, Lead Teams
18/10/2011
Lead teams expected Alice Springs around 12 noon today…
The Teams are on the road again after fire disruption.
18/10/2011
The Teams are on the road again after fire disruption...
Day 2 of the Veolia World Challenge concluded with the top three teams camped together at a police roadblock near the Devils Marbles in Outback NT. Wauchope roadhouse played host to Tokai, Nuna and Michigan as bushfire, raged across the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek. Although some teams were held at Tennant Creek a little over 100 Km behind the leaders, the majority of participants are travelling towards Tennant Creek without disruption.
Day 3 - with the road now reopened the three leaders left Wauchope starting from 8am separated by the times between them when they arrived. Tokai departed at 8am, Nuon at 8.10am and Michigan at 8.12am.
Teams held up at Tennant Creek have been given departure times to reflect the separation of these teams at the time of the disruption. Aurora left at 8.50am, Ashiya at 9.05 am, Team Twente at 9.09, UniNSW at 9.18 am, and Umicore at 9.32 am. Instanbul will leave at 10.36 am, Okinawa at 11.53 am and Stanford at 11.57 am. All remaining checkpoints will have their opening times extended by 4 hours.
Exciting times!
Road Trains
18/10/2011
First bushfires and now two massive road trains some eight metres wide are making their way north along the Stuart Highway. The road trains which left Glendambo this morning are under police escort and due to reach Cadney Park around noon traveling approximately 80 kilometres an hour. The road train is able to travel until 7pm in the evenings and predicted to reach Alice Springs late in the day. Solar cars approaching the road trains will need to follow instructions from Police Authorities…
Day 3 Top 5 at 12pm
18/10/2011
Current Top 5 Solar Cars - 12pm, Darwin Time, (unofficial)
1. Tokai University - Japan
2. Nuon Solar Car Team - Netherlands
3. University of Michigan - USA
4. Auora - Australia
5. Solar Team Twente - Netherlands
Alice Springs Checkpoint Reached
18/10/2011
Tokai has reached Alice Springs checkpoint!
The Advertiser Images
18/10/2011
On the road with the Veolia World Solar Challenge is The Advertiser's photographer Mark Brake. Check out the latest images here.
Nuon Solar Car Team has reached Alice Springs Checkpoint
18/10/2011
Nuon Solar Car Team has reached Alice Checkpoint 1:09pm (Darwin Time)
Michigan has reached Alice Springs
18/10/2011
University of Michigan has reached Alice Springs Checkpoint 1:16pm (Darwin Time)
Latest Photos
18/10/2011
View the latest photo from the Alice Springs checkpoint via our Flickr page
The America's
18/10/2011
Across Australia with The America's!
Locations at 15:00, Tuesday 18/10/2011
Principia Solar Team - USA, University of Waterloo - Midnight Sun - Canada, Eclipse 7 Solar Car Team - Canada, University of Toronto - Canada:
All teams are heading south from Tennant Creek
University of Michigan - USA: South of Alice Springs heading towrads Kulgera.
Standford Solar Car Project - USA: Located south of Barrow Creek, heading towards Ti Tree Checkpoint.
University of Calgary - Canada, Calsol - USA, MIT SEVT - USA and Universidad de Chile - Chile: All teams are located at Tennant Creek
TafeSA Reaches Tennant Creek Checkpoint
18/10/2011
South Australian Team, Tafe SA has reached the Tennant Creek checkpoint!
Teams arrive in Alice Springs
18/10/2011
Ashiya University arrived in Alice Springs 15:49
Aurora in at 15:50
Solar Team Twente in at 15:57
UNSW Solar Team arrives
18/10/2011
UNSW Solar Team arrives in Alice Springs 16:16
Philippines
18/10/2011
Philippines battery problems not terminal they will be attempting to rebuild battery pack over the next couple of days to solar into Adelaide. We hope to see them back onto the road soon.
Day 3 Provisional Results
18/10/2011
2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge
Day 3 - Tuesday 18 October 2011
Provisional Results
TOKAI FIRST ACROSS THE BORDER AS PHILIPPINE CAR GOES UP IN FLAMES
18/10/2011
Tuesday 18th October, 2011
5pm Darwin Time - Provisional end of day results
TOKAI FIRST ACROSS THE BORDER AS PHILIPPINE CAR GOES UP IN FLAMES
As unofficial day 3 leader Tokai charged across the South Australian border Team Philippines were left smouldering in Tennant Creek.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF TEAM SOLAR PHILIPPINES October 18, 2011
18/10/2011
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF TEAM SOLAR PHILIPPINES October 18, 2011
One of the battery packs of SIKAT II caught fire around 3:45pm (Northern Territory, AU time) today, just a couple of hours after the team arrived at Tennant Creek control stop, 988 kms south of Darwin.
No one was injured from the team.
We will be evaluating the possibility of replacing the battery pack after World Solar Challenge organizers gave us the option to continue the race.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF TEAM SOLAR PHILIPPINES October 19, 2011 9:00am
18/10/2011
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF TEAM SOLAR PHILIPPINES October 19, 2011 9:00am
The team has decided to continue the race despite the battery problems encountered by SIKAT II in Tennant Creek yesterday.
Our solar car is in perfect condition, and we are optimistic that we will reach Adelaide on or before Saturday.
The delay brought about by the battery overheat incident doesn't hamper us from moving forward and finishing the race.
Winds swirl around leaders as they reach Coober Pedy
18/10/2011
Wednesday 19 October, 2011
1pm Darwin Time – unofficial positions
Winds swirl around leaders as they reach Coober Pedy
A northerly wind is buffeting the leaders of the Veolia World Solar Challenge in a race that now spans from the tail end just south of Tennant Creek to the front runners in Coober Pedy.
Team Tokai from Japan reached the Coober Pedy control point at 11.40 am followed by Nuon from the Netherlands in 2nd place who arrived at 12.16 pm stretching their lead over third placed team Michigan who had to stop at the roadside to make repairs and reached Cooper Pedy at 1.02 pm. It is estimated they are approximately 80 kilometres behind Nuon. Team Tokai now is approximately 63 kilometres south of Cooper Pedy.
TOKAI LEADS NUON AS COMPETITION HOTS UP
18/10/2011
Wednesday 19 October 2011
5pm Darwin Time - Provisional Positions Day 4
TOKAI LEADS NUON AS COMPETITION HOTS UP
After nearly 2,500 kilometres just 40 kilometres separate the two leading cars in the 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge...
Nuon leading
17/10/2011
Nuon leading and have reached Elliot. Tokai is close behind. Michigan travelling third.
Update
17/10/2011
Apollo were travelling 5th – ran over cattle grid at 683 km south of Darwin – chief scrutineer on way – they can make roadside repairs but must wait for chief scrut before they can proceed.
Leader update
17/10/2011
Unofficial event leader Team Tokai makes it in 11.25 am Darwin time...
Update Fire
17/10/2011
We have reports of a bush fire at Barrow Creek 225 km south of Tennant Creek at this stage the event is proceeding. We will monitor the situation at all stages. Safety is priority.
Check Point Update 1.29pm Tennant Creek
17/10/2011
Official times from Tennant Creek check point. Tokai 11.20am and Nuon at 11.30am. Michigan 11.32.
Team Apollo back on the road
17/10/2011
Chief scrutineer has visited team Apollo and advised their car can be repaired. The team should be back on the road in the next few hours
Established control stop at Waucope
17/10/2011
Due to bushfires at Barrow Creek and road closures a temporary control stop has been established at Wauchope 116km south of Tennant Creek. Three cars – Tokai, Nuon & Michigan are currently in that control stop. Event officials are awaiting advice from Police regarding the re-opening of the Highway.
Unofficial event leader 17/Oct 4.45
17/10/2011
At 2.30 pm Darwin time unofficial event leader in the Veolia World Solar Challenge, Team Tokai from Japan was just kilometres ahead of Nuon Solar of the Netherlands who were just minutes in front of team Michigan – with the order changing between these three throughout the day. See more.
Event Program
17/10/2011
Download the latest Event Program for all the teams on the 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge.
Day 2 Provisional Results
17/10/2011
Day 2 - Provisional Results released. Click here for full details
End of Day 2 Media Release
17/10/2011
As the smoke and haze covers the front runners in the Veolia World Solar Challenge Team Tokai, day 2 event leader, from Japan, Nuon Solar of the Netherlands and Michigan University are camped out in Wauchope, 116 kilometres south of Tennant Creek. View full release here
Essential Information
16/10/2011
For essential control checkpoint information and route notes see the news and information page of the website.
Its Started
16/10/2011
The 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge has officially begun, watch the cars travel down the route via satellite tracking from the Control Room on our home page. And see the grid positions.
Top 6 at 11am Sunday
16/10/2011
Top 6 at 11am - Tokai, Umicore, Michigan, Nuon, Apollo from Taiwan and Aurora. If they keep this pace up the lead car in Katherine by 1pm.
Katherine update
16/10/2011
1pm update - first two into Katherine were Tokai and Michigan with only seconds separating them. Nuon was only about a minute behind.
Dunmarra Checkpoint
16/10/2011
Dunmarra Checkpoint - Tokai in first, Nuon within the same minute. Michigan within 3 minutes.
Time Limit
16/10/2011
Any competitors coming in after 5pm will need to stay in Dunmarra, whereas the leaders will get up to 3/4 hour down the road before the 5.30pm time limit.
Catch up after bad luck at start World Solar Challenge
16/10/2011
Darwin / Twente, 16 October 2011
Catch up after bad luck at start World Solar Challenge
Solar Team Twente in sixth position after day one.
Solar Team Twente has driven 633 kilometres on the first racing day and is now on sixth position in the World Solar Challenge. The great qualification session of yesterday lead to a pole position. Today at the start however, a blown motor controller lead to a delay. The controller could be replaced in 20 minutes. But every minute counts and the unpredictable traffic in Darwin made that the team ended up in a traffic jam. The team is recovering quickly, overtook 18 solar cars and reached a top speed of 105 kilometres an hour. The car functions perfectly and shows great stability.
During the first media stop at 317 kilometres from Darwin the team had already overtaken 15 cars and was in ninth position. Racing driver Barry Vree: “Now I know how a F1 driver feels when his car halts just after the start. Bad luck. But it’s a race and things can change. The car felt good and we had an average speed of 80-85 kilometres an hour. Overtaking so many competitors was great fun. Only in Adelaide, we’ll now the consequences of this mornings casualty.” The goal for today was to drive as far as possible in order to reach the leading cars.
At this moment, the team is in Dunmarra at 633 kilometres from Darwin. Team captain Siebe Brinkhof reflects on the first day of the challenge: “After a fantastic qualification yesterday, we had never expected what happened this morning. It was quickly shown though that excellence comes with practice: the team remained calm and the problem was fixed routinely. Now we’re awaiting the next challenge: surviving the Outback without our truck that carries the tents and our food. The truck is still at about 300 kilometres from Dunmarra due to a punctured tyre. But we’re close to a filling station and we have a camper, cars and sleeping bags. It’ll be alright. It’s a race and the challenge is fantastic and adventurous.”
The Race
15/10/2011
Scrutineering is now complete. Congratulations to all teams and best of luck for tomorrow's official start of the 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge!
Day 1 of Scrutineering Closed
12/10/2011
Day 1 of Scrutineering is now closed. 12 cars have successfully been processed and now await speed and agility testing to take place at Hidden Valley Sat 15th.
Scrutineering Draw
11/10/2011
Veolia World Solar Challenge Scrutineering Draw announced. Click here for more details.
Team Tokai
10/10/2011
Team Tokai Arrives in Darwin - preparing to defend 2009 title
Outreach program
10/10/2011
WSC outreach program reached Katherine after leaving the teams at Hidden Valley Raceway. http://tinyurl.com/3wlbfu7
Day 1 Provisional Results
17/10/1911
2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge - Provisional Results
Day 1 - Sunday 16th October 2011
Top 5 Teams
1. Tokai University
2. Nuon Solar Car Team
3. University of Michigan
4. Aurora
5. Apollo Solar Car Team
Update
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Tokai, Michigan and Nuon are approximatley 25km, 20 minutes out of Tenant Creek – approximatley 100 km back Aurora 4th & Twente 5th
Day 4 Provisional Results Amended
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2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge
Day 4 - Wednesday 19 October 2011
Provisional Results Updated
Teams are still on thier way
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The top 3 teams have all arrived in Victoria Square
4th Ashiya
5th Twente
6th Auora
7th Sunswift