Car leading 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge bursts into flames on final approach
The car leading the 2019 World Solar Challenger has caught fire on the final approach, having travelled more than 2700km from Darwin — the second race leader to be forced out.
SA News
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Tragedy has struck again in the world’s biggest solar car race, as first wind — and now fire — rips the lead from two Dutch teams.
This morning’s race leaders Vattenfall from the Netherlands are out of contention after their car Nuna X caught fire having travelled 2761km from Darwin.
Just before Mambray Creek — 263km from the Adelaide finish line — it burst into flames.
Yesterday’s leading car RED E, also from the Netherlands (Team Twente), flipped in strong winds at 8.30am on Wednesday just north of Coober Pedy.
The Belgian team Agoria, who were just two and a half minutes behind and dogged in pursuit, have claimed their first victory.
The expected time of arrival at the finish line in Victoria Square is 12.45pm Adelaide time.
The Vattenfall Solar Team tweeted “The team is devastated, our solarcar caught fire and we won’t be finishing the @WorldSolarChlg. Currently managing the fires and figuring out what happened.”
Very difficult, to see something you worked on this hard go up in flames. NunaX is gone.
— Vattenfall Solar Team (@VattenfallTeam) October 17, 2019
We'll be going down to Adelaide to walk across the finish ourselves and celebrate our experience.#bwsc19 pic.twitter.com/vPiWjOaMc5
The valiant RED E led almost all the way until it flipped in the wind yesterday.
Her robust engineering build protected the driver, who was unhurt and was taken to hospital for observation and has since been released.
A strong wind gust has made an end to the 2019 edition of the Bridgestone World Solar Chalenge for Solar Team Twente. Luckily the driver is fine. All the best to the teams still competing and @sonnenwagen good to hear you guys are all okay! https://t.co/HOLIxzwFmg pic.twitter.com/B8jsqZEkSK
— Solar Team Twente (@solarteamtwente) October 16, 2019
Also hit by strong wind gusts, fourth-placed Covestro Sonnenwagen was forced off the road.
After our accident we accessed the damage and are confident that we can bring the @Covestro Sonnenwagen back on the road today #pushingboundaries #sonnenwagen #BWSC19 #sowa19 pic.twitter.com/369NgILZ5D
— Sonnenwagen Aachen (@sonnenwagen) October 16, 2019
Leaders also battled an evening sandstorm on Tuesday.
Western Sydney University was caught in the crossfire yesterday when a strong wind gust badly damaged its solar panels, forcing them to retire.
This is the moment Vettenfall’s solar car, Nuni X, burst into flames just 15 minutes into the final day of driving towards the World Solar Challenge finish line. Seeing the fireball, it’s absolutely incredible the driver made it out alive. @9NewsAdel pic.twitter.com/1CL718xZ3X
— Kate Lambe (@katelambe_) October 17, 2019
A restricted speed limit of 80km/h was enforced by BWSC officials, which was reviewed and removed at 1.07pm SA time (12.07pm Darwin time), following a weather assessment.
Event director Chris Selwood said even for the strongest, most well-prepared team, Mother Nature could be the most brutal, unpredictable adversary.
“All drivers are well, which is our priority. I wish them the very best and a safe journey to the finish line — where I look forward to welcoming them,” Mr Selwood said.
This is all that is left of @VattenfallTeam leading solar car after bursting into flames on the Stuart Highway. Miraculously no one hurt. @abcdarwin @abcadelaide @abcnews #BWSC19 pic.twitter.com/sgxqnaQiAz
— Claire Campbell (@clairehcampbell) October 17, 2019
The race began on Sunday with 46 teams from 23 countries setting off from in Darwin.
They have raced from 8am to 5pm daily over the 3000km from Darwin to Adelaide.
South Australia has four teams in the running this year.
Adelaide University Solar Racing Team (AUSRT) is racing Lumen II Mk II in the Challenger Class, for single-seat solar cars designed to be fast.
The vehicle has new suspension, a modified body, updated electronics and the solar cells are prepared with a novel encapsulation method to maximise power generation.
Flinders Automotive Solar Team (FAST) is racing Investigator Mk3 in the Cruiser Class for efficient, practical solar cars with two or more seats.
The Dutch team leading the World Solar Challenge is now out of the race after their car, Nuna X, burst into flames near Mambray Creek. Thankfully the driver & team members escaped unharmed. @9NewsAdel pic.twitter.com/HcYElDnYc3
— Kate Lambe (@katelambe_) October 17, 2019
UniSA is part of The Australian Technology Network (ATN) Solar Car Team with a pretty-in-pink car called Priscilla. She’s a hi-tech, aerodynamic, carbon-fibre solar electric sports car, also in the Cruiser Class.
TAFE SA is participating by invitation under the Adventure Class rules for non-competitive solar cars built for previous events. Their solar articulated vehicle, known as SAV, demonstrates that solar/electric power can be used for light commercial or freight vehicles.
For full results follow the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge live team tracker as they make their way towards Adelaide on www.worldsolarchallenge.org/dashboard/map