Navigation for Nights
Our Own Odysseys - Mike Brown - Solar Challenge
Our Own Odysseys - Mike Brown - Solar Challenge
Hans Tholstrup, the “larger-than-life” adventurer, futurist and founder of the brainsport of solarcar racing, shown with the WSC trophy in 1990. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Solar Kiwi, NZ’s first solarcar, built in Hamilton by mechanic and motorsport enthusiast Stewart Lister’s small team of family and friends. The car had four electric mobility scooter motors which collectively turned the single rear wheel. (NZ Geo issue 9). Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Dripstone College from Darwin closely followed by the Hawaiian Konawaena High School car – that the Hollywood movie Race the Sun was made about. After almost 3000km there were three highschool teams still jostling with each other in strong side-winds - Annesley College was the other team - in an exciting battle to the finish. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Modeled on a popular Japanese cartoon character this vehicle and zany team achieved their purpose admirably, capturing hearts and minds of the young and young-of-heart, also providing inspiration for a subsequent giant solar platypus. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Deadlife abounds on the Stuart Highway, mostly killed at nigh and eaten the following morning. Creatures lured to the warm night roads and hypnotic headlights pose a deadly risk to unprepared motorists, though the trucks have big bumpers and often don’t even slow down. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
1993 Honda Dream camped after first day of racing and topping up batteries with remaining afternoon sun. Ultimate winner of the event travelling the 3000km from Darwin to Adelaide in 35 hours and 28 minutes at an average speed of 84.96 km/h. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Eolian from Chile races ahead of the rapidly approaching most dramatic dust storm Australia had experienced for many years. The race was actually called off at this point. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
SolarFern rapidly closing in on Coober Pedy in 2007 WSC. The Christchurch-built car had a digital “kiwi-style ” speedometer – only able to display up to 99km/h, their “official” speed at the time. – but I know how fast they were really going. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Japanese team Aisol doing a quick wheel change because of a puncture, under the watchful eye of the WSC observer. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Photographer Aleida Spoelstra in a typical “desert hotel” having a sleep-in just north of Port Augusta. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Unprepared tourists risk their lives in the desert – these ones were saved by a lucky encounter with a solarcar team. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Harri Spoelstra about to leave Auckland in 2011 as the first passenger in the Bochum University solarcar during their historic solar-powered global terrestrial circumnavigation. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Waikato University’s electric commuter vehicle built by Dr Mike Duke’s students leaving Darwin during the 2007 WSC event. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.