The Challenger class during the 24-hour race at the iLumen European Solar Challenge (iESC) in Belgium has been won by Belgian team Agoria Solar Team with their solar car Bluepoint. The Dutch Solar Team Twente crossed the finish line in second place with their RED-E.
The iLumen Solar Challenge is the world's only 24-hour race for solar cars. The race takes place every two years at the former F1 circuit Zolder in Belgium. The seventh edition of the event was actually scheduled for 2022. However, following the cancellation of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia, an additional edition has been set up.
On the track, solar cars combine aerodynamics with low energy consumption. Since 2018, teams have been allowed to participate with two vehicles. During the day, teams exclusively use make from solar energy. At night, they are allowed to stop a maximum of twice for an hour to recharge.
Challenger class
In the Challenger class, the race was won by the Belgian Agoria Solar Team. This Belgian team set the fastest lap time three times during the race. The team managed to complete 75 laps with their solar car.
Solar Team Twente finished in second position during the 24-hour race. The Dutch team recorded the fastest lap time four times. The number of laps stuck at 47, leaving the Dutch ahead of the Belgian team. By comparison, Germany's Sonnenwagen Aachen followed with 31 laps completed.
Different strategy
The Dutch team explains on its website that it chose a different strategy than Agoria Solar Team. Solar Team Twente opted for two charging breaks, aiming to set a fast lap time. Agoria Solar Team opted for one charging break and therefore stood still for a shorter time. The team also points out that its solar car RED E had to enter the pits several times for maintenance. The team does not know which strategy works better in the end.
RED E is Solar Team Twente's solar car developed in 2019. The 2021 edition is called RED Horizon and is currently being prepared for the Solar Challenge Morocco. As the regular Solar Team Twente members prepare for this race in Morocco, the team during the iESC consisted entirely of alumni.
Cruiser class
In the Cruiser class, the win went to Onda Solare with their solar car Emilia 4 LT. The Italian team achieved the highest energy score during the 24-hour race with 45 points and completed the fastest lap three times. Poland's Lodz Solar Team with their Eagle Two scored 28 points and completed the fastest lap twice. The German Solar Car Team University Bochum followed with their Sunriser solar car with 18 points and the fastest lap time four times.
All results of the 2021 iLumen European Solar Challenge are available here.
Solar Challenge Morocco
As mentioned earlier, Solar Team Twente is also participating in the Solar Challenge Morocco, which takes place on 25 October. The race is an initiative of the Dutch team in cooperation with rally organisation Classic Events from Vaassen. The race in Morocco is an alternative to the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia, which has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Solar Challenge Morocco consists of five stages. The race starts and ends in the port city of Agadir. The 2,500-kilometre-long race goes right through the Sahara, among other places. It also visits the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
