2007 Western Power Solar Model Car Challenge
Release Date: 19 October 2007
The quest to win the 2007 Western Power Solar Model Car Challenge began this week for 200 students who have designed and built 34 cars for the 16th annual challenge.
Heats for the fastest solar cars were held in Forrest Place today with finals being held tomorrow, starting at 9.30am. The grand final will be raced at approximately 12.30 pm on Friday.
The first four placegetters will be flown to Adelaide to compete in the Australian-International titles, which will be held this year at Victoria Square on the 27 and 28 of October to coincide with the finish of the World Solar Challenge (21-28 October).
At this week's challenge students from 22 schools will race their cars over a 100-metre track in the shape of a figure-of-eight.
An added challenge is that cars must carry a raw egg "driver".
Today the students competed in elimination heats from which the fastest 34 cars will qualify for the final on Friday.
In good conditions, the model cars achieve speeds of up to 20kmh, a speed which tests the cornering capability of the vehicle.
Belridge SHS, won the Challenge in 2006 for the third year running and is determined to retain the title this year. Hottest competition is expected to come from old rivals Christ Church Grammar School, Aquinas College and Morley SHS.
Kalgoorlie Boulder Community High School (first time entrants) and Albany Senior High School are the regional schools entering the competition this year.
The objective is to introduce students to practical applications of solar energy.
Since the challenge began in 1992, more than 3300 secondary school students have participated in the event, with over 700 solar-powered model cars built for the occasion.
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