7th World Solar Challenge Underway

downundarob writes "At around 200310182230 UTC the World Solar Challenge will leave the start line. Entrants will traverse more than 3,000km of the Australian continent from tropical Darwin to balmy Adelaide, in cars powered by nothing more than the sun. One of the unique propositions of the World Solar Challenge is that it is run in one stage. Once competitors have left Darwin at 8am on the first day, they are on their own. Apart from compulsory stops at the seven checkpoints, each team endeavours to travel as far as it can each day, but must make camp by 5pm each evening."

Comments

The top cars are.

[rkz]

The vary best cars are:

Aoyama Gakuin "AGU Aglaia"
Aoyama Gakuin's original solar car was built eight years ago but many of the components, including solar array, batteries, driver interface and ampere-hour metre have recycled and been upgraded to meet today?s technological standards. Another improvement is the more reliable electrical and ventilation systems. The team has twice participated in the WSC, in 1999 and 2001. The 22 student members of the team will vie for a good place in this year?s event.
And:

Holden - "Eco4 Astra"
Eco4 - Astra is a standard European production vehicle participating in the Greenfleet class. The vehicle is powered by a 1.7 litre turbo charged, intercooled, diesel engine. While the vehicle has a more than reasonable level of performance, it has been developed with a focus on high fuel economy and reduced greenhouse emissions. The vehicle is fitted with aerodynamic underbody aids, to reduce aerodynamic drag and also includes low rolling resistance tyres. The highest recorded speed of the vehicle is 175kph. The opportunity to evaluate and demonstrate diesel technology, while generating public awareness of diesel efficiencies is an opportunity not to be missed by the Holden team.