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Fellow Solar & Car Race Enthusiasts,

I simply cannot contain  myself when I heard the news! 2013 is going to be an amazing year for the World Solar Challenge (WSC)! The CEO of the South Australian Motor Sports Board, Mark Warren, announced on World Environment Day, June 5, 2013, not only the new classes and regulations for WSC, but the largest number of entries EVER in the history of World Solar Challenge! Yes, the new WSC is set to sizzle with the record breaking 43 teams from 24 countries, preparing to take on the Aussie outback in the 3,000 kilometre journey from Darwin to Adelaide between October 6-13, 2013.

The New Regulations of World Solar Challenge 2013 (<—click)

The three new classes (provided by WSC2013) are:

1. Challenger Class: The slick, single seat aerodynamic vehicles making up the ‘Challenger class’, will be contested between the mostly big budget, solar powered elite, and line honours will go to the first car to travel 3,000 kilometres in a single stage across Australia under solar power. A major difference this year, however, is that they’ll have to do it on a four wheels, not three.
2. Cruiser Class: This class is in deference to those teams who commit to the ideals of building a car that will never be the first across the line. Their goal is not speed but practicality. Inspired by the 2009 German entry, ‘Bo-Cruiser‘ and their successor ‘SolarWorldGT‘
   

   SolarWorld GT of Germany at World Solar Challenge 2011 at Adelaide, Australia (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, photographer)

   which circumnavigated the globe, teams in this class will be seeking to employ advanced technology and materials to create more traditional road vehicles. The cruisers will have the option of overnight charging at select locations and will be scored according to their energy efficiency and practical design features by a panel of judges.

3. Adventure Class: This class targets first time entrants often with lower budgets who are still developing their solar technology and encourages participation and learning on a global stage Route Map of World Solar Challenge (3,000 km between Darwin in the Northern Territory and travels the Stuart Highway to Port Augusta and then via Highway 1 to the finish line in the City of Adelaide in South Australia, October 6-13, 2013)  As we await for this inspiring event of 2013, let me share an interview with the event organizer, Mr. Chris Selwood, during World Solar Challenge 2011, about the premise behind the World Solar Challenge, below:

Winning team of World Solar Challenge 2011, Tokai University's TokaiChallenger 2 from Japan, First to arrive at Victoria Square of Adelaide, Australia in Oct. of 2011 (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, photographer)

Nuon Solar Team from Netherland at Adelaide, Australia, 2nd winning team at World Solar Challenge 2011 (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, photographer)

“We threw down the gauntlet asking designers to push the limits of new technology and innovation by creating three new formalized classes. We wanted to ensure our event remained at the forefront of technology driving experienced teams and industry sponsors to exceed past results and at the same time inspire newcomers. Their response has been a resounding, bring it on!” Mr. Warren said. “We now have the makings of our most competitive field ever-in terms of time, speed, energy efficiency and innovation. All our top contenders are back to chase line honors. The changes also mean teams in both Challenger and Cruiser classes will be competing in brand new cars.” “Last year’s winners from Tokai University in Japan Tokai Challenger are looking for their third straight victory and former champions, Nuon Solar Team from the Netherlands, who had to be satisfied with second in 2011, are working furiously on Nuna 7, vowing to fight until the finish to get the gold back to Delft University. Of course, there is also the US Solar Champion Michigan team Quantum of University of Michigan still trying to best their third place result,” he said.

Quantum of University of Michigan Solar Team, 3rd winner at World Solar Challenge 2011 at Adelaide, Australia (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, photographer)

The event director Chris Selwood commented that this year’s top three are not a foregone conclusion, with all eyes on new countries such as China and returning entrants such as Saudi Arabia.

World Solar Challenge 2011 Saudi Arabia King Fahd University Wahj Team (Seraaj) (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, photographer)

“You never rule out the Aussies either, who are back with a vengeance this year with teams in every category. The only state to field two teams is NSW

Australian Sunswift UNSW Solar Team Sunswift IV at Adelaide, Australia, during World Solar Challenge 2011 (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, photographer)

and I’m told first time entrants from the University of Western Sydney don’t put too much stack in history. Sunswift from the University NSW are also confident they have the aerodynamic expertise and innovative design to win in their Cruiser category although the TAFE SA team will be doing their best too.

Australian SolarSpirit at Adelaide, Australia, during World Solar Challenge 2011 (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, photographer)

Melbourne’s Aurora team, competing in the Adventure Class are likely to be one of the lightest competitors and will be chasing the fastest qualifying time in their No 87 Aurora Evolution,

Australia's Aurora Vehicle Association's Aurora Evolution during World Solar Challenge 2011 at Adelaide, Australia (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, photographer)

so numbered to signify they’ve not missed an event since the Challenge began in 1987. New Queensland team, Arrow, hopes experience from seasoned campaigners will build a legacy for others to follow,” Mr. Selwood said.

There will be more posts & videos coming every week between now and World Solar Challenge 2013. Keep coming back to Sun Is The Future for more on this amazing event!

For more information on this unique event, please visit: www.worldsolarchallenge.org

For more photos, videos and future updates on World Solar Challenge 2013, please also refer to : www.facebook.com/sunisthefuture , www.pinterest.com/sunisthefuture, www.instagram.com/sunisthefuture, and www.youtube.com/user/sunisthefuture

~have a bright and sunny day~

gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker

Any of your comments will be welcomed below or via sunisthefuture@gmail.com (please note if you do not want your email to be shared)

Homepage: http://www.sunisthefuture.net

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Tags: Adelaide, Adventure, Alice Spring, Aurora Evolution, Australia, Bo-Cruise, Challenger, China, Chris Selwood, Coober Pedy, Cruiser, Darwin, Delft University, Fahj University, Germany, Japan, Katherine, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mark Warren, Melbourne's Aurora team, Netherlands, NSW, Nuon, Port Augusta, Quantum, Saudi Arabia, SolarWorldGT, South Australian Motor Sports Board, Sun Is The Future, sunisthefuture, sunisthefuture.net, Sunswift, susan sun nunamaker, TAFE, Tenant Creek, Tokai University, University NSW, University of Michigan, University of Western Sydney, Wahj, World Environment Day, World Solar Challenge

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