The Vattenfall Solar Team watch their car burn. Photo: Jorrit Lousberg
Belgian team Agoria won its first Bridgestone World Solar Challenge on a day marred by a fire which destroyed the leading solar car near the end of the 3000km Darwin to Adelaide race.
Starting from Port August on the run to the finish on October 17, the Vattenfall Solar Team from the Netherlands had the lead by a few minutes when their car Nuna X caught fire just before Mambray Creek, about 2761km from Darwin.
Driver Tim van Leeuwen smelled burning and quickly parked Nuna X on a side road and got out safely before the car burnt to the ground.
“It seemed we had the wind in our back; we were in the lead, driving 100km/h, when I smelled something burning,” he says.
Agoria team members celebrate their first win.
“I asked our chase vehicle if it could be the car, but all measured values appeared normal. It wasn’t long before smoke filled up the cockpit. I immediately knew something was wrong.”
Emergency services prevented the fire spreading. Its cause is unknown and is being investigated.
It’s the first did-not-finish in 20 years for the eight-time champion Vattenfall team, with team leader Maud Diepeveen presenting BWSC event director Chris Selwood at the finish line with one of the last remaining pieces of their car – their official BWSC number plate.
Challenge organisers say they’ve never seen such a drama filled end to the event with two leading cars also forced out of the race on October 16, damaged as a result of strong winds.
Tokai University Solar Car Team finished second and the University of Michigan Solar Car Team was third in the Challenger section.
Three Cruiser Class teams remain in the competitive group – IVE Engineering Solar Car Team, Sunswift and Solar Team Eindhoven.
On October 19 the Cruiser Class judging takes place, where each Cruiser team’s car is judged on various elements such as design innovation, environmental impact, ease of access and egress, occupant space and comfort, versatility and style.
Remaining Challenger, Cruiser and Adventure Class cars are due to finish on October 18 and 19.
Finish line events in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga are open daily until October 20, 9am-6pm, with people able to check out the cars and activities, including Flinders University’s driverless bus.
