The Solar Car Race Of 2009The 2009 solar car race known as the Solar Challenge held in the outback of Australia has its 2009 winner - the Tokai Challenger built by Tokai University in Japan. 
The winner, shown at the left, featured six square meters of solar panels which was the maximum allowable solar surface for race entrants. The vehicle managed speeds up to 94 miles per hour, an astonishing speed for a vehicle powered only by sunlight. While these are not quite record speeds, it is the fastest average speed in recent years since restrictions were placed on the amount of solar paneling vehicles could carry.It's A Loooong WayThe annual race is held from Darwin to Adelaide in Australia across some of the longest straight stretches of sun drenched road in the world. The course is almost 3000 kilometers long and puts both machines and their drivers to the test. I have driven this road several times myself and can attest to the concentration needed to negotiate this journey. The last time I made this trip it took me five days, driving all day. Mind you I was in an old 1974 Series 3 Land Rover with a top speed of 75 kilometers per hour.
More CategoriesThe event has now expanded to include categories for all-electric and hybrid vehicles, both production and experimental. Again the Tesla Roadster has shown its quality build by driving the greatest distance on a single battery charge, that being 501 kilometers or 311 miles. Not a bad effort considering the vehicle was built primarily for acceleration and sport performance. Return from Solar Car Race to Solar Power News or return to the Green Planet home page for more Solar Power Facts.
|
