Great learning experience for Solar Car Twente after eventful 24-hour race

A team of 21 students from Saxion University of Applied Sciences and the University of Twente started their adventure a fortnight ago. The team is working towards the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia, for which the 24-hour race in Belgium was a nice preview. Poor weather conditions and a short preparation time made this race a big challenge, but these conditions did create a great learning experience for the team. They had to deal with many unexpected situations, bad weather conditions and rising tension. “It was an incredibly challenging race, but the team handled it well”, says team leader Kirsten Bouwman. "This experience will be a great foundation for the many more challenges the team will face in the coming year."

The team of students will take one year to design and build a completely new, innovative solar car. The goal is to drive 3000 kilometres through the Australian deserts as fast as possible. The team must be efficient during next year's world championship, as it was in Belgium at the iLumen European Solar Challenge at Circuit Zolder. Bouwman: "We need to be confident at the start of the race in Australia, and challenges like this 24-hour race bring the team closer together. Team spirits were high despite the challenging race conditions. This gives the team courage, and we are all looking forward to the race next year in Australia!"

Solar Team Twente is a student team from Saxion University of Applied Sciences and the University of Twente and is dedicated to so-called “Challenge Based Learning”. The 21 students put their studies on hold for a year and a half to build a solar-powered car based on the regulations of the World Championship in Australia, which starts on 20 October 2023. The goal is to push the boundaries of today's technology and show what is possible. The student team finances the project with the help of their partners and is still looking for companies willing to support the project.