Co-Curricular Solar Car World Solar Challenge Press Releases 1: Arrival 2: Preparation 3: Day 1 4: Day 2 5: Day 3 6: Day 4 7: Day 5 8: Day 6

The Spirit Of Unley Annesley College Solar Car Team

WORLD SOLAR CHALLENGE 2003

PRESS RELEASE 1:

ANNESLEY SOLAR CAR TEAM ARRIVES IN DARWIN

After 5 gruelling days of driving, the EOS - Spirit of Unley solar car team arrived in Darwin on Tuesday afternoon (14 October).

The 12 member team, consisting of 8 students and 4 staff members from Annesley College, left Adelaide at 7.30 am on Friday, 10 October in preparation for their participation in the 2003 World Solar Challenge. The convoy consisting of 4 cars, 3 provided by major sponsor Holden transported Eos- The Spirit of Unley by trailer to Darwin, with stop overs at Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine.

EOS- The Spirit of Unley, a modified Barina with solar array has been converted to an electric vehicle. The main source of power for the car will be supplied by the 2.kilowatt petrol generators mounted on a special bracket attached to the rear of the Barina. Along with the roof-mounted solar panel, the car is now categorized as a 'Hybrid' vehicle and is participating in the Greenfleet Hybrid class of the World Solar Challenge.

The car will be on display at Kerry Holden before the race. On Wednesday the team will be testing at Hidden Valley Raceway. Scrutineering will occur at the Darwin Show grounds on Friday morning. Saturday will be a crucial day for the team, with qualifying and stability tests, before the race starts at 8 am on Sunday morning.

During the 8 day 3000 kilometre race back to Adelaide, the team will be testing the performance of the vehicle and collating GGI figures to calculate how much energy is being used each day. Four Year 11 students (Kathryn Hardy, Kathryn Lodge, Georgina Cogan and Lauren Heinrich) will drive the car in rotation during each day. Support team students (Cynthia Psorakis, Kari Bowling, Claire Wong and Ryang Ja Jeong) will monitor progress and record the performance figures. Adult members consist of Race Co-ordinator, Peter Gubbins; Annesley staff, Michelle Bentley, Susan Cockshell and Kerry Haymon; and support car drivers Chris Cocks and Gregory Galatis.

The excitement is mounting amongst team members and the Home team back at Annesley College.

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