Not only does the Cd have to be low,
but the driver has to be fit to cope
with high temperatures (typically over
50°C in the cockpit). Toyota’s head
driver is a champion tri-athlete.
Darwin to Adelaide
on solar power
By the time you read this, competitors in the
1993 Daido Hoxan World Solar Challenge will
be making their final preparations for a gruelling race. 55 vehicles are expected to start in
Darwin on Sunday, 7th November. The winning
vehicle is expected to take approximately five
days to reach Adelaide, travelling at more than
70km/h over the distance of 3004 km.
By BRIAN WOODWARD
4 Silicon Chip
Some of the world’s largest companies, including car makers and famous
educational institutions, are involved
in the race.
The World Solar Challenge is held
every three years. The inaugural event
in 1987 was won by the GM Sunraycer.
General Motors in the United States
went on to develop the Impact, a
prototype electric commuter vehicle
designed for everyday public use, using technology and knowledge gained
in the World Solar Challenge.
General Motors-Holden’s remains
the only Australian manu
facturing
company to sponsor the World Solar
Challenge. As well as being the event’s
official vehicle supplier, Holden’s
sponsor
ship extends to aiding two
Australian universities and two
schools with funding and support
vehicles.
The sponsor for the 1993 World Solar Challenge is Daido Hoxan Inc, the
leading supplier of industrial gases in
Japan. Daido Hoxan is also involved
in frozen foods, medical equipment
and solar power. The company competed in the first two World Solar
Challenges.
Official suppliers and supporters
of the event are the Australian De
partment of the Environment, Sport
and Territories, the Northern Territory
Government, General Motors-Holden’s, United States Department of
Energy, Australian Department of
Primary Industries and Energy, GS
Batteries, Sumitomo Corporation,
Sumitomo Marine, JTB Travel, Omega, and the Government of South
Australia.
Of the 55 entries, Japan has the
most with 24, including Honda, Nis
san, Hokkaido, Toyota and Kyocera.
There are 12 entries from the USA,
mostly universities, while Australian
entries include Dripstone High School,
Monash University/Melbourne Uni
versity, NT Institute of TAFE, NT University, Mitcham Girls High School,
Aurora Vehicles Association, Mor
phett Vale High School and Meadow
bank TAFE. From England, there are
three entries: Battery Vehicle Society,
Solar Flair/Phil Farrand and TR50/J
G Riches.
Caught at the side of the road during shakedown trials on the Stuart Highway
in the Northern Territory in February this year, the Toyota team checks vehicle
functions. This model Toyota (now believed to have been scrapped in favour of
a more advanced car) has single rear left wheel drive using a DC chopped motor
and a toothed rubber belt. The Silver Zinc batteries from Eagle Picher in the
USA typically cost $40,000 for a maximum of 5kW. They can be cycled on 10 to
20 times after which they are only good for making cutlery!
Actually, two important automotive
sporting events start on the same day,
(7th November). One is the Adelaide
Formula One Grand Prix and the other
is the World Solar Challenge. Cars in
the Grand Prix will run out of fuel
in two hours, after covering just 306
kilometres. Competitors in the World
Solar Challenge will race on for another four days and cover almost 10
times the distance and sunlight will
be their only fuel.
The World Solar Challenge has
spawned many similar events in
other countries, especially in Europe,
Japan and the USA. But no other solar electric car event has yet equalled
the rigid rules, the distance, nor the
gruelling conditions of the world’s
toughest solar race. Last time it was
won by the team from the
Engineering School of Biel
in Switzerland.
The 1987 winner, GM’s
Sun
raycer, averaged 66.92
km/h. Its record still stands.
Car companies have taken
the event very seriously
this year, in the knowledge
that winning the race will
given them an enormous
advantage marketing cars
in the USA, particularly in
California when the new
zero emissions regulations
are about to take effect.
Cars will be scrutineered
for safety and compliance
with the regulations before
the event begins. All cars
must have a minimum speed
Solar race cars are permitted a solar array no larger than eight square metres. This car
capability of 38km/h and
has used the area on a body shape known as “modified cockroach” after the first winner
the winning car is expected
in 1987 – the GM SunRaycer which used a full cockroach shape. At 15-20% efficiency, the
average more than 70km/h.
cells can then gather 1.2-1.5kW to propel the vehicle.
October 1993 5
