The 2017 edition of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC), the largest ever solar event in the world saw Nuon Solar team from the Netherlands crossing the finishing line and winning their seventh title under the Challenger class. 

The team from University of Michigan came in the second place with their torpedo shaped ‘Novum’ and their best ever result in Australia. Followed by Punch Powertrain from Belgium that also saw their best result since 2007, with a 3rd place podium finish.

In the event’s 30th anniversary year, Nuon took the lead early to book its win. The team’s manager, Sander Koot, said they adjusted their strategy and driving style to the nerve-wracking weather conditions with wind gusts of up to 60 kilometres per hour. Aerodynamics expert for the team, Jasper Hemmes, said drivers were instructed to position the solar car in such a way to profit from the winds as if it were a sailing ship. 

In the Cruiser Class, Dutch team Eindhoven, are on track for their moment in the sun tomorrow – charging towards their time target of between 11am and 2pm. Both Eindhoven and HS Bochum from Germany are south of the Glendambo and Australia’s Clenergy Team Arrow are in Glendambo with Hong Kong’s IVE just to the north.  

Also read : Biggest-ever World Solar Challenge adventure run begins today in Australia