Solar Challenge Morocco, Last Day

The five-day Solar Challenge Morocco is over. With sandstorms, flooded roads, and mountain passes having gradients of up to 12%, it was without a doubt the toughest solar car race in the world. Six Challenger Class cars competed (for details, see my illustrated teams list with social media links).

Solar Team Twente (NL, team 21) won the event (as well as winning the day, on adjusted timings). They were followed by:

• Agoria Solar Team (KU Leuven, BE, team 8)
• Vattenfall Solar Team (Delft, NL, team 3)
• Top Dutch Solar Racing (NL, team 6)
• Sonnenwagen Aachen (DE, team 7)
• Chalmers Solar Team (SE, team 51)

In addition, Solaride, from Estonia, had the only Cruiser Class car, and raced in Adventure Class. The photograph in the graphic is from Solar Team Twente. Official results are here.

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Solar Challenge Morocco, Day 4

Four days of the five-day Solar Challenge Morocco are over. Six Challenger Class cars are competing (see my illustrated teams list with social media links for details). Cars climbed to about 1,280 m today, before descending back to about 730 m. The conditions were also challenging, with roads awash with water.

Solar Team Twente (NL, team 21) holds their lead over Agoria Solar Team (KU Leuven, BE, team 8), with Vattenfall Solar Team (Delft, NL, team 3) in third place. The photograph is from Top Dutch. Official results are here.

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Solar Challenge Morocco, Day 3

The Solar Challenge Morocco is ongoing, with the race running until 29 October. Six Challenger Class cars are competing (see my illustrated teams list with social media links for details). Cars climbed to about 1,280 m today, before descending back to about 700 m. The weather was also challenging, with clouds and sandstorms.

Solar Team Twente (NL, team 21) has taken the lead from Agoria Solar Team (KU Leuven, BE, team 8), with Vattenfall Solar Team (Delft, NL, team 3) in third place. The photograph is from Hans-Peter van Velthoven / Vattenfall. Official results are here.

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Solar Challenge Morocco, Day 2

The Solar Challenge Morocco is ongoing, with the race running until 29 October. Six Challenger Class cars are competing (see my illustrated teams list with social media links for details). Cars climbed to about 1,690 m today, before descending to about 700 m. Some of the mountain roads had inclines of up to 12%.

Agoria Solar Team (KU Leuven, BE, team 8) is still in the lead overall, although Solar Team Twente (NL, team 21) finished first today. The photograph is from Sonnenwagen Aachen (DE, team 7). Official results are here.

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Solar Challenge Morocco, Day 1

The Solar Challenge Morocco has begun, with the race running until 29 October. Six Challenger Class cars are competing (see my illustrated teams list with social media links for details). Cars climbed to about 1,850 m today, before descending to about 730 m.

Agoria Solar Team (KU Leuven, BE, team 8) is currently in the lead, followed by Solar Team Twente (NL, team 21), Vattenfall Solar Team (Delft, NL, team 3), and Top Dutch Solar Racing (NL, team 6). The photograph is from Agoria.

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Solar Challenge Morocco begins

Scrutineering for the Solar Challenge Morocco has begun, with the race running from 25 to 29 October. Six Challenger Class cars are competing (see my illustrated teams list with social media links for details). The montage above (assembled from team instagram feeds) shows the cars:

• Vattenfall Solar Team (Delft, NL, team 3) in Nuna 11, which weighs only 157 kg
• Solar Team Twente (NL, team 21) in Red Horizon
• Chalmers Solar Team (SE, team 51) in Sköll, with Top Dutch Solar Racing (NL, team 6) in Green Spirit behind
• Agoria Solar Team (KU Leuven, BE, team 8) in BluePoint Atlas, shown behind Vattenfall
• Another view of Agoria
• Sonnenwagen Aachen (DE, team 7) in Covestro Photon

That is one 4-wheel bullet car (Top Dutch), three 3-wheel bullet cars, and two 3-wheel asymmetrical catamarans. In addition, Solaride, from Estonia, has the only Cruiser Class car.

Update: qualification lap times were:

• Top Dutch (NL, team 6): 02:17 (68.69 km/h)
• Vattenfall (NL, team 3): 02:23 (65.81 km/h)
• Agoria (BE, team 8): 02:25 (64.90 km/h)
• Twente (NL, team 21): 02:30 (62.74 km/h)
• Chalmers (SE, team 51): 02:45 (57.03 km/h)
• Sonnenwagen Aachen (DE, team 7): car being repaired after an accident
• Solaride (EE, team 1, Cruiser): –

Update: the route for the event is as follows (the map below shows elevation):

• Day 1: Agadir to Zagora
• Day 2: Zagora to Merzouga
• Day 3: loop from Merzouga
• Day 4: Merzouga to Zagora
• Day 5: Zagora to Agadir

Vattenfall is presenting a delayed live feed of the race.

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