Students gear up for 24-hour challenge

Things are heating up for a group of students as they head to the start of a special challenge.

The Durham University Electric Motorsport (DUEM) team are getting ready to race their solar car, ‘Ortus’, at Ouston Airfield today.

Following their success at the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia, the team had hoped to comp ete i n th e 2 02 0 i Lu m e n European Solar Challenge (iESC); the only 24-hour endurance race in the world for solar cars that takes place in Belgium every two years.

Unfortunately, due to the C OV I D -1 9 p a n d e m i c , t h e team had to withdraw from the race.

However DUEM have decided to set their own groundbreaking challenge aiming to complete the distance from Durham to Circuit Zolder in Belgium – where iESC is taking place – and beyond, within 24 hours.

The 537 miles will be driven at RAF Ouston Airfield.

‘Ortus’ is made from carbon-fibre and uses a single, custom-made, in-wheel motor.

It weighs just 178 kg and cruises on the highway using less power than a hairdryer.

Isaac Rudden, team princ i p a l , s a i d : “It wa s a rea l shame to have to withdraw from the iLumen European Solar Challenge 2020 – everyone has worked incredibly hard this year to push Ortus to its limits, and we were all really looking forward to competing against the other European teams in Belgium.

"However, by doing OSC, we hope to be there in spirit; not even a global pandemic can stop a solar car team from taking on new challenges.”

Follow the challenge on www.facebook.com/DUEM. Electric