Solar Car Racing

Solar car racing is an unusual motor sport which started in the year 1985. Solar car racing is generally held in Australia, USA and Europe but its popularity is spreading to all parts of the world. The most important point to be noted about solar car racing is the type of vehicles in use. The vehicles used in solar car racing are solar powered vehicles and not normal motor vehicles running on fossil fuel. These are non polluting vehicles which are eco friendly and therefore gaining in popularity in areas where people are concerned about the environment.

The most important solar car racing events are the World challenge and the North American challenge. These events are organized by a number of corporate houses with the help of university students. The solar car racing events become a good platform for university students to show their prowess in automobile designing and complex material technology.

The first World challenge in solar car racing was held in the continent of Australia in the year 1987. The 2005 challenge was won by the Nuna3 team from Netherlands. The total distance of the racing track was around 3000 kilometers. The 2007 edition of the tournament was the 20th anniversary of the World challenge.

The North American challenge in solar car racing is the other big event held very year. This tournament is held in USA and Canada. Previously the Energy department of USA used to sponsor this event but later they withdrew support due to financial constraints.

The vehicles used for solar car racing are specially designed by combining technology from automobile industry and the aerospace industry. The vehicles are allowed to run only on solar powered energy and no other form of energy can be incorporated into those vehicles. The only other device allowed except solar energy is charged battery packs. The solar powered cars used in solar car racing have three wheels.

The optimum consumption of energy is the main objective of a solar car race. The drivers have to maintain a speed which will not consume a lot of energy and this speed is called optimum sped. The optimum speed is estimated by sensors present in the solar car.

The race route has to be made in such a way that the sun's rays fall along the route. If otherwise then the route has to be changed to get a constant supply of energy. The race route determines the driver's strategy. The terrain also makes an impact on the driver's strategy during the solar car race.

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