UNSW Sunswift solar racing team takes 4th place

Sunswift eVe, the Australian two-seater sports coupé built and run by UNSW Engineering students, ended the World Solar Challenge race in Adelaide in fourth place after traversing 3,022 km entirely powered by the sun.

The vehicle, which holds the world record for the fastest electric car, was one of the 12 cars from around the world competing in the biannual race’s new Cruiser Class, which rewards vehicles for practicality and design as well as speed.

It was a gruelling race that began in Darwin on Sunday 18 October and dashed across the hot dusty outback to Adelaide, conditions that tested the mettle of students and machines, and saw teams from the UK, Singapore, Poland, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Iran drop out.

The 26-strong UNSW Solar Racing Team Sunswift was one of only five of the 12 in the class to cross the finish line, and was the third fastest. After points were given for how many passengers were carried, practicality, design and road registration, Sunswift ended the points tally in fourth place overall.

“Finishing the race is a satisfaction that can't be described in words,” said a clearly tired Hayden Smith, a UNSW computer engineering student who has led the Sunswift team for the past two years and will be handing the reins to photovoltaic engineering student Simba Kuestler. “Being able to build a car, and race it across the country on the power of the sun is truly something magnificent.”

Kogakuin University’s Owl was the first cruiser to reach Adelaide, with a time of 48 hours 07 mins, followed by Eindhoven University of Technology’s Stella Lux with 48 hours 54 mins. Sunswift eVe crossed the finish line at 55 hours 28 mins, followed by Bochum University of Applied Sciences’ Sun Riser with 56 hours and University of Minnesota’s Eos at 57 hours 14 mins.

Judges then assessed the vehicles for a range of factors, including ease of access, driver and passenger comfort, controls, features, style, overall desirability, road registration, parking and cargo space – putting the cars through their paces on the finish line.

After points were allocated by race judges, Eindhoven was named winner, with Kogakuin second, Bochum third and Sunswift fourth.

The race now over, Sunswift has headed home to Sydney where students have assignments to catch up with and exams to face. But the experience was treasured by the engineers who took part.

“Being able to build a car, and race it across the country on the power of the sun is truly something magnificent,” reflected Smith. “Now we're looking forward to heading home, and getting eVe through it’s last preparations to be legal for the road. We've got some inspiring plans ahead of us for 2016."