UMSolar: Day 2
Edit: Updated with video from Day2 (see below)
Day2 proved to be quite windy and was abruptly cut short by brushfires. A report is stating: Alice Springs firefighters say arsonists are lighting fires along the Stuart Highway between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. Crews have closed the highway between Ti Tree and Wauchope because fires are burning across the road. It does not appear that the arsonists are targeting the WSC. They're just being stupid. The three leaders, Tokai, Nuon and umsolar are in Wauchope, Northern Territories, Australia. They have a pretty sizable lead over the remaining cars, which are at the control stop in Tennent Creek. The team is unsure as to when the race will resume. Stay tuned...
Video from Day1 (link)
Video Update - Day2 (link)
Wauchope (Special Control Stop) Arrival Times:
- Tokai: 1:08
- Nuon: 1:16
- umsolar: 1:21
Next Control Stop: BARROW CREEK (Times are umsolar arrival, local time)
- Katherine: 12:15 Day1
- Dunmarra: 16:20 Day1
- Tennant Creek: 11:36 Day2
- ***Wauchope***: 13:21 Day2
- Barrow Creek +222km
- Alice Springs +508km
- Kulgera +287km
- Coober Pedy +426km
- Glendambo +254km
- Port Augusta +286km
Media Update from the World Solar Challenge (link)
Charging at Wauchope
To make sure everything is in order with Quantum, umsolar takes advantage of a delay (due to brushfires crossing the Stuart Highway.)
October 17th, 2011 at 10:42 AM ^
I have always had a weird fancy for solar racing after watching Race the Sun. Thanks for the share.
October 17th, 2011 at 5:05 PM ^
I prefer NASCAR
October 17th, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^
Did the team strategists account for Outback brush fires in their pre-race game planning/simulations?! Unbelievable. I assume they shut all of the teams down to wait out the brush fires regardless of their race position?
For the record, Quantum looks SWEET.
October 17th, 2011 at 11:01 AM ^
No matter what the stoppage affects the race substantially. Potential for different weather than originally planned if the race is delayed, or (as I see above) teams use the stoppage time to recharge batteries in full sun. Smoke over the route obviously impacts amount of energy reaching ground, etc. The strategy guys are going to earn their pay...er...accolades.
October 17th, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^
I would have to say that the team strategists did not plan for brush fires in the Outback. However, they are prepared for most contingencies. So, they most likely had a plan in the event of a stoppage, like this. And, yes, all the teams were stopped regardless of their position/location. In other words, the race was frozen at a certain point. In this case, the delay might actually help (all the teams). They were racing into a pretty decent headwind yesterday with cloud cover being a concern. IIRC, the forecast for today was for reduced winds and clearer skies. If the fires can be contained/extinguished so that the race can resume, strategy shouldn't be altered too much.
I just watched the update video from Day2 (linked above in the original post). The race stopped in the early afternoon. Quantum was able to charge until sunset which should result in an almost full charge without the benefit of a morning charge before the race resumes. Rachel stated that the fires seemed to have died down which bodes well for race resumption.
October 17th, 2011 at 3:48 PM ^
...thanks! I know the strategists were totally kick-butt when I was on the team, but to think that you would have to contingency plan for out-of-control brush fires - and the reduction in solar insolation that could result from suspended smoke/particles (much less the potential safety issues) - is unreal. I'm sure the strategy team took advantage in any way possible.
Godspeed, Quantum. I hope the lead or scout cars have ample fire extiguishing capabilities as you race through the hot spots!