The World Solar Challenge starts with a Dutch team in front of the starting grid. The Top Dutch Solar Racing team, which is taking part for the first time, drove the fastest time and can therefore start at the front. The team from Twente starts in fifth position.

Top Dutch Solar Racing came in the qualifying round to a time of 1:51:99, and was therefore considerably faster than the number two, Team Sonnenwagen Aachen. He did the rounds in 1:59:21. Incidentally, the starting position was determined on the basis of the highest top speed, and there the Dutch team reached 92.3 kilometers per hour, while the number two reached 86.8 kilometers per hour.

The first place is a boost for the race, since Top Dutch Solar Racing is competing in the Challenger class with the intention to reach the finish as quickly as possible. The starting position, however, offers anything but a guarantee of victory. The World Solar Challenge is being driven over a distance of no less than 3000 kilometers through the Australian desert.

The team from Twente achieved fifth place in the qualification. Earlier this month the team discovered damage to the car, which resulted in a less efficient solar panel. Incidentally, it later turned out that the damage was less severe than expected, so that little disruption is expected for the race.

Top Dutch Solar Racing is taking part in the World Solar Challenge for the first time, while the teams from Twente, Delft and Eindhoven have participated more often. The team comes from Groningen, with students from Noorderpoort, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, University of Groningen and Friesland College.

World Solar Challenge 2019