Borneo Solar Challenges

This blog will introduce and explain the rationale for proposing solar challenges in Borneo. They are unashamedly inspired by the Australian World Solar Challenges.

 Despite it being in Australia, it had wisely chosen to be a World Challenge and rightly so. It is 3000 km long along public roads that are well maintained for safety reasons. Despite the presences of strong cross winds and huge lories, these are valid challenges for any car all over the world.

The World Solar Challenge is a design competition, in contrast to primarily driver's competitions. In addition, it also promotes sustainable designs so restrict the design freedom to less costly solutions.

Equatorial Borneo  Solar Challenge

The Borneo Solar Challenges attempt to duplicate similar objectives but in a different location and environment. They attempt to reinvite the participants to try their machines and organisations in an entirely different environment that promises to be more optimal for Solar Car, by operating near the Equator.

 The main competition will be the Equatorial Borneo Solar Challenge that span 1,500 km from the northern tip of Borneo, at Kudat, Sabah to the Equator at Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat.

 
 


 Second Phase to Nusantara

This is the first phase of the competition. The second phase will proceed to Nusantara, the new capital of Indonesia. This will take another 1,600 km of road.

Sabah Solar Challenge

Equatorial Indonesia Solar Challenge

An alternative competition will be to organize the route from Pontianak as another Competition. It is easier to manage because it is conducted in one country only.

Highland Sabah Solar Challenge

The route crossing the crocker range is interesting because it crosses Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysian, and one of the highest in South East Asia. The gradient of the roads are too high for existing Solar Race Cars.

The route is 600 km, but there is a return path through the Crocker Range that should add another 500 km.

The roads may require radical designs and new rules. This is a case to introduce new design and competition rules that allow more cars to be eligible.

 




Sabah Solar Challenge

Normal gradient roads in Sabah provide another challenge for Solar Car designers in Sabah. It follows the coastal roads for 950 km one way. The return trip will add another 950 km. Not as long as the World Solar Challenge but it is a good practice round.






 

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