Main content | back to top
A long way to go
As clouds roll over the Ahoy arena in Rotterdam, the competition is hotting up. Yesterday 85 Prototype car drivers from across Europe put their skills to the test in a first round of energy-efficient driving at Shell Eco-marathon. This morning UrbanConcept drivers are stepping up to the challenge.
Polytech Nantes car 201 crosses the start line as the Prototype competition begins
The French are out in front, yesterday topping the internal combustion engine category with 2,820km/l equivalent with Microjoule – powered by petrol – from La Joliverie, Nantes. The Polytech Nantes is leading in the plug-in battery category, thanks to their hydrogen-fuelled Polyjoule car achieving 489 km/kWh. Over the history of the competition, these two teams have notched up a total of 31 victories.
Overall leader in the plug-in battery category was team Shluckspelt from Germany, equating 560km/kWh with an electric battery.
Round two
The might of Microjoule is not, however, diminishing the determination of other competitors. Team Remmi from Finland came in fourth on their first attempt. “The 90-degree turns are not a problem,” says driver Minna Leivo, who drove the equivalent of 1,003 km/l. “Today we want to add 1,000 km to our distance!”
Techno music blasted out from one booth in the paddocks, where teams are frantically working to refine their cars. Team ESSTIN from France recorded their best result on the Rotterdam circuit yesterday as 440km/kWh. “The track is more interesting for the driver, who has to work harder,” says Mohamad El Khaudi. “We are modifying the mechanics slightly now to go further and brake less.”
Stuck in the pits
Still on the sidelines, some teams are struggling to start up. The bright red, bubble-shaped Storm car from Team Gorbea, Spain is stuck inside. Iñigo Ochoa flips open the boot neatly built into the top of the carbon-fibre car and slides in a large green suitcase and helmet: “We are very proud of the luggage space,” he says. But the car’s hydrogen battery is flat and a new one is being shipped from Spain. “It should arrive later today, or tomorrow morning – we hope!” Results for UrbanConcept will start coming in and later Prototype cars start round two.
Page Tools
