Solar-powered cars race from Darwin to Adelaide

The most brilliant minds in solar-powered technology will come together in the Top End and race their self-built cars through the desert in a 3000km journey from Darwin to Adelaide.

Jef Suy "pilots" the solar-powered vehicle that can reach speeds of up to 170km/h for Belgian team Innoptus. Picture: Pauline Vanvuchelen

Jef Suy drives without shoes.

The car he is driving (or “pilots”) operates entirely on solar energy and is the top contender for this year’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

The countdown has begun for the 3000km car race from Darwin to Adelaide that has students from all over the world compete against each other in solar-powered vehicles “designed, engineered and built with their own hands”.

From October 22 to 29 teams will traverse some of the harshest terrains as they race across the country, departing in the morning and travelling as far as they can until 5pm, before setting up camp wherever they find themselves.

The Dutch team ‘Brunel’ have designed their car with technology not available to the public yet. The car recharges next to the raceway at Hidden Valley for an hour before resuming test laps. Picture: Zayda Dollie

The Belgian team ‘Innoptus’ claim their motor boasts a higher efficiency than those used by Tesla. Picture: Zayda Dollie

This year Dutch team ‘Brunel’ and Belgian team ‘Innoptus’ have arrived early to spend the next 25 days getting themselves and their self-built cars acclimatised to Darwin’s heat.

The relentless Territory sun is optimal fuel for the solar-powered vehicles and although the cars can travel up to 900km without needing to be recharged, the drivers tend to overheat before the cars do.

Built to conserve as much energy as possible, airconditioning would be considered a waste.

The tiny area designated for the “pilot” of the vehicle is minimal.

Driver Jef Suy from the Belgian team Innoptus does test laps at Hidden Valley Raceway in the lead up to the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Picture: Zayda Dollie

The Belgian team Innoptus have designed this year’s car to conserve as much energy and space as possible. This means no airconditioning or air passages at all inside the vehicle. Picture: Zayda Dollie

Belgian team pilot Mr Suy does away with shoes and wears a PCM – a phase change cooling vest – to help regulate his body temperature for the three hours he spends driving before switching pilots.

The teams have about three pilots they rotate through.

To avoid overheating, the “pilot” of the vehicle wears a PCM – a cooling vest that turns from solid to liquid to regulate body temperature. Picture: Zayda Dollie

Dutch team captain Lennart Hessels drives the “chase car” (pictured behind him), assisting the pilot in real time via walkie-talkie. Picture: Zayda Dollie

The solar-powered vehicle is followed by a “chase car” that comes up with strategies for the race in real time, communicating to the pilot via walkie-talkie, much like in Formula 1.

Civil engineering student Thijs Kaalberg from the Dutch team was drawn to the Bridgestone Challenge because of his belief in the importance of sustainability.

“I think in 20 years, everyone will drive a solar-panelled car,” he said.

“We’re building towards it.”