The latest news of the team.
Day 5 - Crossing the finish line
The last race day was shaped by all of the teams going very fast. We all wanted to be the first in Agadir and thanks to yesterday’s repairs while charging at least the Covestro Photon had lots of energy to spare. After climbing the last part of the Atlas Mountains we were closely following behind the first trio. The other teams had already been overtaken in the morning and were left far behind. But it soon became apparent that they also had lots of energy left as the other teams just as were driving at the speed limit for the whole drive through the wide plateaus leading up to Agadir.
Day 4 - Setbacks
Sand. Sand everywhere. That was probably the first thought on everyone’s mind when they woke up. Last night’s sand storm had definitely left its marks and a few tents from other teams had even collapsed. Luckily, we could secured our tents and there were no lasting issues, so all of us and our things were safe – nevertheless quite sandy.
Day 3 - Through the Sahara Desert
The night before most of the team finally got some sleep and we started the day in high spirits. We were really looking forward to today’s route along the edge of the Sahara Desert and a successful race day. Starting on the fifth position five, the next team to overtake was now Top Dutch Solar Racing. After following them on their heels for half an hour we managed to overtake their convoy and were now trying to catch up to the leading trio while driving though the vast landscapes of southern Morocco.
Day 2 – The longest route
While the last two days were marked by many difficulties, today’s racing was quite smooth. All this was mainly thanks to the electrical department and some supporting people working another entire night shift in order to fix yesterday’s technical difficulties. After packing up all our camping and fixing equipment as well as a quick breakfast, the Covestro Photon left the Zagora base camp shortly after 8 a.m.
Day 1 - The race begins
October 25th, 10.a.m. Covestro Photon is ready, Lead is ready, Chase is ready, the whole convoy is ready. We made it! Working the entire night with some people not getting a single ounce of sleep we had actually managed to fix most of the damage from the crash. Parts of the structure were rebuild or reinforced and the whole suspension of the front left wheel got replaced and readjusted – all that in just one night!
An intense Qualifying
Similar to other race events, at solar car challenge the starting positions are determined through a qualifying. The qualifying is scheduled between the last scrutineering test and the start of the race. For the Solar Challenge Morocco 2021 this qualifying was held at Stade Adrar, a large football stadium in Agadir. Around this stadium is a road which was used for that matter as a small race track of 2.2 km length.
The Scrutineering
The drive to Agadir was another challenge for the team. The race convoy took a detour to practice various race procedures on a section of the race track. All other team members meanwhile brought the equipment to Agadir. After a long or short drive, everyone finally arrived at the hostel, which was completely booked out by the team, to have dinner together. After a tasty refreshment and warm tea, some went to the beach to refresh themselves in the Atlantic Ocean before going to bed.
Every single ray
The drive to Agadir was another challenge for the team. The race convoy took a detour to practice various race procedures on a section of the race track. All other team members meanwhile brought the equipment to Agadir. After a long or short drive, everyone finally arrived at the hostel, which was completely booked out by the team, to have dinner together. After a tasty refreshment and warm tea, some went to the beach to refresh themselves in the Atlantic Ocean before going to bed.
Testing at Stade Adrar
The drive to Agadir was another challenge for the team. The race convoy took a detour to practice various race procedures on a section of the race track. All other team members meanwhile brought the equipment to Agadir. After a long or short drive, everyone finally arrived at the hostel, which was completely booked out by the team, to have dinner together. After a tasty refreshment and warm tea, some went to the beach to refresh themselves in the Atlantic Ocean before going to bed.
Arrival in Morocco and start of prepartions in Ben Guerir
For the Solar Challenge Morocco 2021 we travel as a whole team from Aachen with car and workshop to Morocco; divided into several groups which fly to Morocco at different times. The first group set foot on the African continent already on 8th of October. With rental car we went directly to the hostel in Marrakech, which was completely booked by us.
Vice European Champions
After a very exciting but also exhausting 24 hours the iLumen European Solar Challenge 2021 comes to an end – We are Vice European Champion with the Covestro Sonnenwagen!
At 1 pm on Saturday 18.9. the 24h race started with a spectacular Le Mans style start and all 14 solar cars started into the race. With the Covestro Sonnenwagen we were able to quickly settle into third place, with the Covestro Photon just behind. In the best weather, we were able to go lap by lap. Every two hours the drivers changed and were able to rest before their next stint.
It’s Race Time!
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.
Dynamic Parcours
e have achieved our first success. At the first judged part of the iLumen European Solar Challenge, the Dynamic Parcours, the teams had to prove their skill and speed of pilots and solar cars.
Acceleration, agility and driver precision are measured in different disciplines. For example, our drivers had to accelerate as fast as possible on a straight line, then drive through a cone chicane and finally come to a stop as precisely as possible on a line. The disciplines were then evaluated by the officials and added up to a total score. This score gives 20% of the total challenge points.
Green checkmarks
The race starts early in the morning at 10 a.m. and all teams set off with their solar cars for scrutineering. Right next to the race track, the cars are mechanically and electrically tested by the Challenge officials. 69 pages of regulations have to be fulfilled. For example, we must show that our drivers can get out of the car within 15 seconds. Lisa and Tobias were able to keep their cool and clearly undercut that with 11 seconds.
Back in Zolder
With the setup of the first tents on the campsite next to the race track, the iLumen European Solar Challenge 2021 has finally started. We are looking forward to an exciting race weekend with 11 other solar teams and a total of 14 solar cars. The challenge consists of several stages, which will take place in the next days. First of all, the cars will undergo technical scrutineering. Then the solar cars are allowed to test on the race track and collect the first points for the overall ranking in the dynamic parcours. Finally, we are ready for the highlight – the 24h race from Saturday to Sunday.
A new Solar Challenge
“The SCM 2021 is a brand-new challenge for us,” says Simon Quinker, 2nd chairman of the association, “The event offers the opportunity for us to co-create a Solar Challenge to demonstrate our technical innovations in a new environment.”
The SCM has it all with its 5 stages over a combined 2500 km in 5 days. The starting and finishing point of the race, which runs on public roads and through the Sahara Desert, is Agadir, a port city in southern Morocco.
The 24h race
On Saturday at 1 p.m. the time had finally come: with a LeMans style start the 24-hour race at the Circuit Zolder began – and with it the most important part of the European Solar Challenge. With optimal weather conditions for solar vehicles the racing cars were sent out onto the track to cover the longest possible distance in 24 hours. After some starting problems, the Covestro solar car was able to catch up quickly and was in fifth place behind Punch 2 when the driving strategy received a frightening radio message from the driver of the car: the latter had slipped out of the difficult chicane and turned to the side.
Open Track Day and Dynamic Parcour
The last day before the start of the 24-hour race on the Circuit Zolder was demanding for all departments. After the electrical engineering and chassis departments had been working on the cars until the morning, both rolled out onto the track at nine o'clock in the morning for testing. In the following hours, the drivers had time to adjust to the track and develop a feeling for the curves, chicanes, ups and downs of the track.
Scrutineering - the official start of the ESC
The Scrutineering is done, "all green" for our both solar cars! The past night shifts and today's work have been worth it and our two solar racing vehicles have the starting permission for the 24 hour race from Saturday to Sunday. Most of the points of the European Solar Challenge's Scrutineering are the same as in the World Solar Challenge. But especially the driving at night requires some extra features. For example, the car must be equipped with headlights that are bright enough for the drivers to drive safely in the dark. After some talks and discussions with the officials of the ESC all points could be checked off and we can look forward to an exciting race!In the evening the race management opened the race weekend with a speech and after that we moved the main part of our workshop to our pitbox.
Arrival at Circuit Zolder
The European Solar Challenge is getting closer and closer! The setting up of the camp in Zolder marks the beginning of an intensive racing weekend in Belgium. On the first official day of the event the Scruiteneering - the technical inspection of all participating vehicles - will take place. Here the cars mechnical and electrical components will be checked, to ensure a smooth race and the safety of all participants.