A few minutes ago, our two race cars, the Covestro Photon and the Covestro Sonnenwagen, started in the 24-hour race at Circuit Zolder. After a final night shift and enormous effort from the entire team, both cars successfully rolled out of the pits. The solar cells of the Covestro Photon are still giving us problems at the moment – but the car is running, and we are now looking at what the next 24 hours have in store for us on and off the track. Now we are looking forward to the race and hope for a successful conclusion.

Starting driver for the Covestro Sonnenwagen with the starting number 70 is our external driver Kevin Luinge; for the Covestro Photon with the starting number 7 our active member Tim Sanders. Both starting drivers, as well as all other drivers, have undergone rigorous driving training over the past few weeks in order to be optimally familiar with the car and prepared for today’s race.

The race consists of several two-hour stints, during which as many laps as possible are driven on the circuit. After five minutes in the driver change zone, the next stint starts with a new driver. During the 24 hours, the battery of the solar vehicles may be charged a maximum of twice per car and only in the designated battery charging area. At the end of the full 24 hours, the race ends and all participating solar cars meet again in the pit box to evaluate the results and start the award ceremony.