Michigan's Race-Ready Solar Car: Testing in Outback Australia

• The University of Michigan Solar Car Team is pre-testing in Australia in preparation for the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Join the team on their 3000km race from Darwin to Adelaide, as they take Ford pickups up north to Glendambo and practice 11 days of camp set-up and repairs.

The University of Michigan Solar Car Team is conducting pre-event testing in Australia ahead of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. It has taken possession of a fleet of Ford pickups, which will be used as support vehicles for its solar car, Astrum, in the 3000km race from Darwin to Adelaide. The team has tested the car on the Adelaide International Raceway and is now heading up north for more testing in the town Glendambo, to simulate the conditions on the Stuart Highway. Over the next 11 days they are practising camp set-up and repairs in order to become an efficient race team.

How Is the U of M Solar Team Preparing for the World Solar Challenge?

• The University of Michigan Solar Team is testing Astrum on the Adelaide International Raceway in preparation for the 3000km World Solar Challenge.
• They are currently testing the car in Glendambo to simulate the conditions on the Stuart Highway.
• They have a fleet of Ford pickups which they will use as support vehicles for Astrum.
  
• The team is practising camp set-up and repairs in order to become an efficient race team over the next 11 days.
• They are also performing rigorous vehicle inspections and safety checks on Astrum, to ensure it is prepared for the grueling race.
• The team is also working with engineers from Ford to tune the vehicles’ efficiency and maximize solar power output.
• The team is also engaging in team building exercises, to ensure team dynamics are strong and the team is cohesive during the race.