SANTIAGO – The solar-powered car designed by a team of students from the Catholic University of Leuven (KUL) has won the Carrera Solar Atacama race in Chile.
The Punch Powertrain Solar Team’s vehicle was dominant in the event that was held in some of the world’s most extreme conditions.
The 2,577 race was run from the Chilean capital Santiago to the town of Arica in the north of the country. En route they encountered extreme weather and terrain. The route took in everything from summits of 3,430 metres in altitude in the Andes, as well as passing through the Atacama Desert.
We have won the CARRERA SOLAR! Our very first win – we are very proud to have won this extreme challenge! pic.twitter.com/ZKM8jyathC
— Punch Powertrain Solar Team (@solarteam_be) October 25, 2018
The Leuven team drove a total of 36 hours spread over six days.
Seremi de Energía, Cristian Fuentes, presente en la Carrera Atacama Solar, participan 11 equipos nacionales e internacionales. En Arica, la actividad comenzará el viernes 26 de octubre en la Plaza Vicuña Mackenna hasta el domingo 28 con la premiación final. #Arica #Parinacota pic.twitter.com/1VMOlWHUgp
— Seremi Energía Arica-Parinacota (@EnergiaAyP) October 25, 2018
The Solar Car World Championship in Australia is the next challenge for the students from Leuven. Its departure is scheduled for October 13th, 2019.
