Top Dutch Solar Racing-team finish 6th at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge | Update

This year, the Top Dutch Solar Racing team finished 6th in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia. A great accomplishment!

The Solar Challenge took the team from Darwin to Adelaide. This year, they were driving the home-built solar-powered car, Green Thunder , which was unveiled on 17 June. The challenge is not just about being the fastest to cover 3,000 kilometers and competing with other teams, but above all, it is about innovation and taking important steps towards a future powered by green mobility.

Top Dutch Solar Racing is a multidisciplinary solar-powered racing team from Groningen, Drenthe, and Friesland that has been active for six years now. This year, the team consists of 27 members, with students from different degree programmes from senior secondary vocational education (MBO), universities of applied sciences (HBO), and universities (WO). They believe everyone has unique strengths and knowledge that should be fostered to contribute to the team's success.

On this page, we will keep you updated on the achievements of the Top Dutch Solar Racing team!

27 October - Finish

The Top Dutch Solar Racing-team finisht 6th in the World Solar Challenge today! The team is very proud of its achievement. In six days they covered the 3000+ kilometers from Darwin to Adelaide through the Australian Outback. As per tradition they jumped in the fountain to celebrate their accomplishment.

26 October

Early this morning, the Solar Racing team left Coober Pedy. With 668 kilometers to go, the team was primed to take their solar car Green Thunder to the finish line in Adelaide today. Although the journey was going smooth, it turned out to be just too far. About 30 kilometers before the finish line, the team had to stop to their great disappointment. They will depart tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. local time and finish 6th in Adelaide.

The Belgian Innoptus Solar Team arrived in Adelaide first as the winner, followed in second place by Solar Team Twente. The third place is for the also Dutch Brunel Solar Team.

25 October 2023

Today, the Top Dutch Solar Racing team arrived in Coober Pedy, known for its wind, dust, and rough terrain. It is the ninth of the eleven control stops of the race. The team has advanced its position, and is now running in sixth in the race!

24 October 2023

The Top Dutch Solar Racing team left Alice Springs for the checkpoint in Erldunda. The team still occupies the 7th spot in the standings. The encampment for the night has now been put up.

23 October 2023

The Top Dutch Solar Racing team successfully made it through the second day of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, maintaining its 7th position. The car suffered no damage, only a flat tire - which was expertly changed in 4 minutes!

So far, the team has driven 1216 kilometers, which means there are still about 1800 kilometers to go.

Every day the team is interviewed which can be viewed, and watched back, via a live stream on their Youtube channel. Watch the report of day 2 below.

22 October 2023 - Dunmarra, Australia

On the first day of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, Top Dutch took off with a strong performance that placed them seventh in the Challenger classification. In doing so, the team, led by team manager Rick Eichelsheim, proved that the efficiency and innovative technology of their car definitely belongs in the 'pack' of the Solar Challenge.

The team is pleased with its current performance, but also full of excitement for what the future holds. The team remains focused and determined to maintain this pace. Team manager Rick Eichelsheim noted: ‘We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished so far. Our team's hard work and dedication is starting to pay off. The next few days will be crucial for us and we are determined to go all out’.

More information

Follow the team on X via UG Spotlight.