1996 RulesHome
¡@Table of Contents
A: ADMINISTRATIONA1. PROGRAMME:
A2. TITLE & NATURE: The event shall be known as the WORLD SOLAR CHALLENGE (hereinafter referred to as the event). The event shall be international, covering a minimum of 3,004 km direct from Darwin in the Northern Territory to Adelaide, South AustraliaA3. AUTHORlTY: The event shall be conducted under the auspices of the International Solar Vehicle Association. Stewards:
Any entrant and their personnel shall undertake to know these regulations and agree to abide by these regulations. A4. DATES/LOCATIONS: The event shall commence in Darwin on the 7 November 1993, and finish in Adelaide some 6 to 10 days later. A5. SPONSOR: The Sponsor of the 1993 event is - Hoxan Corporation Japan. A6. OFFlClAL SUPPLIERS & SUPPORTERS: Northern Territory Government, South Australian Government, Commonwealth Department of Primary Industries and Energy, Department of Energy United States of America, OMEGA, General Motors Holden's Automotive Limited. A7. PROMOTER: The event shall be promoted and organised by Energy Promotions. A8. ORGANlSERS: An organising Committee will advise Energy Promotions. A9. OFFlClALS OF THE EVENT: The Key officials of the event shall be:
A10. OFFlClAL ADDRESS OF ORGANlSERS:Address: World Solar Challenge, 1074 Pacific Highway, Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia Telephone: (02) 988 4255 International: 612 988 4255 Fax: (02) 449 8767 International: 612 449 8767 During Event: Darwin and Adelaide locations will be announced in newsletters A11. FINANCIAL: All currency in regulations is in United States Dollars. Payable To: World Solar Challenge. Details for Electronic Banking or Transfers: Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Pymble, NSW 2O73 Account No 06 2229 201475 A12. AMENDMENTS TO THE REGULATIONS: The organisers reserve the rights to amend the regulations. A13. INTERPRETATION OF THE REGULATIONS: The Stewards of the event are empowered to make a decision on any case not covered or clarified by these regulations. A14. PROTEST: Protests, if any, must be lodged in writing within one hour of incident and be accompanied by a A$100 protest fee. A15. JUDGES OF FACT: Any listed official or Control official shall be a judge of fact. A16. ENTRANT AND DRIVER BRIEFING: The briefing, commencing at 1800 on 6 November 1993, must be attended by the entrant and/or the number one driver A17. INTOXICATING LIQUOR OR DRUGS: The consumption or taking of intoxicating items is strictly forbidden until after each day's consumption. Australian civil law applies to drugs. A18. VEHICLE INDENTIFICATION: Numbers will be allocated to each entry. All numbers will be allocated as fully paid entries are received. Special requests can be lodged. A19. IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONS: Closed Parking Entry ID will be issued to one cre member only, plus the drivers and passangers. B: ENTRIESB1. ELIGIBILITY OF ENTRANTS AND DRIVERS: The crew shall consist of at least two (2) and not more than four (4) drivers. only drivers can drive in competition hours. Service crew must abide by these regulations. Additional drivers may be added at a cost of A$600 each. No driver may drive more than six hours per day.B2. ENTRIES: Entries open 1 June 1991 and close 1 May 1993. The field will be limited to sixty (60) vehicles, plus reserves. The first fifty (50) nominated (C2) entries will automatically be accepted. The remainder will be selected by the organisers. Entries will only be accepted with the entry fee attached. The organisers reserve the right to reject any entry; such refusal is not subject to protest. B3. CHANGE OF ENTRY DETAILS: An entrant may change the specification of the vehicle or drivers up to the scheduled time of scrutineering; battery specification by 1 August 1993. No guarantee is given that changes will appear in printed lists. B4. CREW MASS: The official mass of each driver shall be 80 kilograms including driving clothes. If the mass of the driver is less than 80 kilograms, ballast will be added to make up the difference. If the driver weighs more than 80 kilograms, no credit will be given. (We suggest a diet.) Drivers with ballast must carry it in the vehicle when driving. (See 2 Seater Class) C1. ENTRY FEE: Payment to be made out to WORLD SOLAR CHALLENGE. The definitions of type of entries are:
If an entry is withdrawn before entries close, a refund of 50% will be made. C2. NOMlNATlONS: Entry nominations must be accompanied by a deposit of $1,000; full entry fees must be paid by 1 May 1993 and failure to pay by this date will make the entry null and void. A nomination may be withdrawn before November 1992 and a refund of 50% will be made. D: INSURANCED1. PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE: All crew must be covered by the event personal accident insurance. Fees will be advised (budget $40-80 per person). This insurance will apply from the actual time of scrutineering until the official finishing time.D2. COMPREHENSlVE VEHICLE INSURANCE--THIRD PARTY: Comprehensive vehicle insurance is the responsibility of the entrant. Third party is included in the Northern Territory registration (budget $40-50). D3. PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE: The organisers have arranged Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) to cover the event. E: VEHICLE ELIGIBILITY AND SPEClFlCATIONSE1. AUTHORlTY TO BE ON PUBLIC ROADS: All competing vehicles will be issued with Northern Territory number plate. No speed limit in either the Northern Territory or South Australia may be exceeded; if any limit is exceeded by more than 20%, exclusion from the event may occur.E2. VEHICLE IDENTlFlCATlON: The entrant's event number must be displayed in contrasting colors. E3. POWER: Direct global solar radiation received by the car is the only power source that shall be used for propulsion. Solar collectors may be constructed in any way provided that they lie, at all times, entirely within a single right rectangular parallelepiped of dimensions A x B x C, where A <= 4.44m, B <= 2.00m, C <= 1.60m and A x B <= 8.00m2. When in motion, the parallelepiped must be oriented such that A, B and C are length (measured horizontally), width (measured horizontally) and height respectively; when stationary the height C may not exceed 2.5m. (also see 2 Seater Class E9) Add on panels or mirrors, if fitted, must at all times be carried in or on the vehicle. Total disconnection is required during any reconfiguration outside the parallelepiped AxBxC. Suitable test points must be provided to allow the measurement of array power. E4. BATTERIES: Fuel cells power packs are NOT allowed. The batteries must be rechargeable. Batteries may be charged by the sun from sunrise to sunset, and by regeneration 0800 - 1700. A flywheel is a battery. The make and number of batteries is free. The vehicle must travel along the entire course with the same make and number as were fitted at the start. The capacity must be less than:
*Development Battery Systems must be sent to Dr. David Rand CSIRO PO Box 124 Port Melbourne, VIC 3207 AUSTRALIA no later than July, 1996 Any replacement of battery must be approved by the organisers. A penalty will be incurred for a change of battery as follows: Time Penalty(in minutes) = 240 * (1.225^(n-1))*(n)*( 40 ) N total weight of battery pack where: n = number of cells or modules replaced; N = total number of cells or modules in the pack. Battery installation in the vehicle must be constructed such that the organisers can seal the batteries to the chassis rails, box or frame. The rails or box must be bolted in place securely. Quick connectors; clip clamps etc. are not allowed, tools must be used. For sealing convenienve the total battery pack must not be dispersed through the car in more than four units. A chemical spill proof barrier must exist between the driver and the battery. Battery-Weight: The weight of the battery pack is the maximum total weight for the component cells and/or modules. The 'battery weight' will be as they are presented at scrutineering. Teams submitting batteries in a box or sub frame will still have to fall within this battery weight. CAUTION ! You may NOT replace cells, modules or battery packs for any reason other than in case of accident or malfunction. Small standard instruments may be powered by AA or E216-9V or button cells. A small commercially available 2 way radio may use standard recharge system. Everything else is part of the max 5kW-h batteries. Charging of batteries from any other energy source will lead to exclusion. Small standard instruments may be powered by AA or E216-9V or button cells. A small commercially available 2 way radio may use standard recharge system. Everything else is part of the maximum kilograms of batteries. E5. VEHICLE - CHASSIS: The battery pack must be excluded from all external powering sources from sunset to sunrise each day. The rails or box must be removed from the vehicle and sealed in a lockable box to be placed under the Observer's control between sunset and sunrise. E5a. VEHICLE - CHASSIS, Old Cars: Cars that have been to Darwin before may cover up every night as their design may not have incorporated a lift out battery pack - chassis in the design. New cars must follow the new rule, E5, as the pack can then be placed easily under observer's control and allows you to easily work on your car. E6. VEHICLE STABILITY: The vehicle travelling at its maximum speed must be able to pass a large truck (road train) travelling in the opposite direction at 80 km/hour on a narrow two lane highway, without losing control, at normal wind speeds. Aerodynamic devices must be extended if requested. E7. VEHICLE SPEClFlCATIONS: The vehicle design and construction is free except for:
E8. VEHICLE DATA SHEETS: Photos, drawings and information for the programme by 1 August 1993. A fine of $100 if not received.E9. VEHICLE CLASSES:
Further divisions will be:
NOTE: A class must have 3 entries to be eligible for an award. F: SCRUTINEERINGF1. UNFAIR PRACTICES: Exclusion will occur if during the event or at scrutineering the organisers discover that an entrant or crew has deliberately violated these regulations to gain unfair advantage over other entries, or departed from the spirit of competition.F2. SCRUTINEERING: All competing vehicles shall be required (at the set time on the 4th & 5th of November 1993, in Darwin) in a ready to start condition. Scrutineers will examine the vehicles to ensure they conform with these regulations. Vehicles failing to pass will not be allowed to start the event. Fee for re-presenting a vehicle or being late is $100-$200. Possible change to reserve. F3. DOCUMENTATION: Drivers must produce drivers licence for driving on the Australian roads and other relevant documentation. G: SERVICING - SUPPORT CREWSG1. SERVICING: The chassis may never be removed from the observer's control. Any component, except for batteries and the chassis, may be replaced. (E4)G2. SUPPORT CREWS: At least two (2) vehicles must support each entry. They must carry warning signs and extra lights to warn other traffic. (N2-6) The entrant shall be responsible for the actions of the crew. H: SIGNS ON VEHICLESH1. Event and sponsor logos: The organisers shall supply signs carrying event and sponsor logo. These signs are to be located on the car at all times and in such a way that they are clearly visible to a person standing near the car. Unbroken, rectangular spaces of the following dimensions must be provided on the car for this purpose. The area on the vehicle needed is:
Vehicle Number: The vehicle number must be clearly displayed on each side of the solar car in an area of at least 200 mm x 200mm (see A18) H2. ADVERTISING SIGNS: Advertising signs are permitted on the vehicle. Signs and lettering must not be of an offensive nature. I: ADVERTISING AND PUBLICITY OF RESULTSAll advertising, sales promotion and publicity material produced by or in connection with the entrants or their sponsors concerning, or referring, to the event, shall refer prominently to the event as the "Hoxan World Solar Challenge" and all entrants shall, by entering the event, specifically agree to abide by this regulation. By entering the event, all entrants and drivers associated with the event shall agree to the free use of their names and photographs in any publicity material that may be issued by the organisers and the event's principal sponsors and its associated companies. J: THE COURSEJ1. STRUCTURE: The event shall be conducted over an approximately 3,000 kilometre (1,900 mile) course, between Darwin and Adelaide. The official start time each day shall be 0800, official finish time shall be 1700 hours. A vehicle starting before its due time may be excluded.From 1700 till 1710 is grace time. After 1710, each minute over will be multiplied by 2 and the penalty taken before the start next day. Time used from 1700 till 1710 will be added to the official start time 0800. EXAMPLE: Finish 1707 = Start 0807 Finish 1712 = Start 0814 All timing is Central Australian Standard Time only. J2. LATE TIME LIMIT: Any vehicle which does not reach the final control in Adelaide, within the minimum speed may will be deemed a non-finisher. Minimum speed E7-3. J3. SCHEDULE: All vehicles will run to the same time schedule and will be required to complete the full course as per instructions. J4. INSTRUCTIONS: Entrants shall receive a copy of route instructions in Darwin. J5. CHANGES AND ALTERATIONS: All detour signs erected by the civil authorities must be observed and the correct route rejoined at first opportunity. The organisers may change the course at any time. J6. RECORD OF PERFORMANCE: Details of performance of a vehicle will be recorded on a Log Book carried by the official observer. The entrant will be asked to sign the book each day. Failure to do so will not make the recording invalid. J7. OVERTAKlNG: A vehicle being overtaken MUST give way. This includes support vehicles. Keep left. J8. RETIREMENTS: A vehicle retiring must notify the observer in writing. J9. CONTROLS: Controls will be established along the way for press purposes and to examine the vehicles. These controls may or may not be disclosed. All vehicles will be required to stop and will be held for an equal time (normally 30 minutes). Don't forget you are allowed to work on your car during the new 30 minute media stops. J10. CLOSED PARKING: Closed Parking shall be an area in which vehicles will be placed and in which no servicing can take place. only persons with the ID (A19) may enter the Closed Parking. Vehicles may not be removed without permission. Only cleaning of the vehicle is allowed. J11. TIMING: Timing, which will be carried out by observers, will be by official OMEGA Solar timepieces. No protests will be allowed. J12. PUSHING, TOWlNG, CARRIAGE, SLIPSTREAMING OF VEHICLES: Competing vehicles may only be pushed on and off the highway in an emeryency or for the overnight stop. The vehicle may be hand pushed to and from the stop/start place. Any regenerating power system must not be on when hand pushing. The Vehicle must NEVER be towed or carried by another vehicle. Slipstreaming is not allowed (driving closer than 60 metres). Pressure wave pushing is not allowed (driving closer than 10 meters). Driving tests may be carried out by any crew member from Sunrise till 0800 hours and from 1700 hours till Sunset. J13. STARTING ORDER ON THE GRID: It is a grid start and cars will be placed in order based on the speed at the stability test - fastest to the front. J14. CONVOYS: All teams and support vehicles must avoid driving in convoys and allow free passage of overtaking vehicles. J15. COURTESY: It is requested that all vehicles be driven in a sensible and safe manner in order to avoid any hazardous road incidents, e.g. driving adjacent to solar cars on the v+,roll+J side of the road. K: OBSERVERSAn observer shall be appointed by the organisers to travel behind each competing vehicle. The observer shall record the start and stop time, distance covered each day, all other incidents, and also check on seals and notify Headquarters if a battery has been changed. The observer will be changed from one competitor to another, throughout the event observers may not interpret regulations or give advice.The entrant must at all times assist the observer to keep the vehicle in sight. The entrant must provide food and water for the observer 3 times a day. The entrant must, if required by the observer, send for assistance from the organiser, or call in results. The entrant must provide a proper seat in the car behind the solar car; space for the observer's luggage must be in that car. L: RESULTSL1. DETERMlNATION OF WINNERS - FINISHERS: First three cars into Adelaide as per these regulations will be First, Second and Third respectively. Class winners will be similarly determined.L2. PROVISIONAL RESULT: Progress scores will be posted from time to time during the event. These results do not include all penalties and will not be accurate and final. They may not be used in paid advertising. L3. FINAL RESULT: Final results will become available when passed by the Stewards. M: OVERNlGHT STOPSThe selection of overnight stops shall be the responsibility of the Entrant. The entry and other vehicles must be parked well off the road. (J12, J1). N: OFFENCES / BREACHES / PENALTIESN1. A HEARING BY THE STEWARDS: Entrant and drivers alleged to have committed the following offences shall be subject to such penalty as the Stewards impose:
N2. EXCLUSION FROM THE EVENT:
O: AWARDS
Other trophies and prices will be announced in bulletins. Organisation ChartClick on this to see the Organizational Chart NEWSLETTERS: Will be issued before and after the event - they are not serious reading. BULLETINS: You must read, they are part of the regulations, as they may be clarification and explanations of the rules. They also give further must know and understand information. The regulations as such are FINAL. Accept this as your First Bulletin.Minimum Speed: E7-3. This is new. To be allowed more entries on to the highway, we must have this rule, that no solar car built with the knowledge of Chester Kyle's report of the 1990 event, will do less than 50-80 km/h. Now justifying the 38km/h, with breakdowns and adverse weather deducted. Please call if you do not feel you can do 38. Power: E3 - The rule is now as clean as can be. For those of us with a need to understand it, as simple-easy as possible, it is: An 8 square meter foot print on earth. or it all fit into a box that is maximum 1.6 X 1.8-2 X 4 4.44 metres. The 2 seater class is simple as you may use the entire car as your power collector. Mass 80 Kg: Drink as much as you like before weigh in. 5-10 Kg can be gained. Start Position: Road train test-speed determines this - the fastest to the front. You may change engine or gears for this test. Australian Customs: We will again gain "EVENT STATUS" for easy access in and out of Australia, so inform your customs agent, or customs. You still need to make a total list of equipment coming in and going out. Rooms - Cars - Campers: We again try to get special deals. Territory Rental Darwin is, as they proved excellent last time, again "the Car rental" Company. Campers are a problem, coming from everywhere, book early. Hotel is "Hotel Darwin" which is also HQ. Details to you as we finalise. Media stops: Like last time - ten minutes - one every day for most cars. Questions: only written answers to questions can be used in a protest. Please do not hesitate to ask on any matter you are not clear on, as the writer was educated in Danish. His own English is confusing when reading it a year later - you must find it harder. During event Communication: The new personal satellite phones will be available in 1993. The units are very small (two bricks). Spare cars: Why do we allow spare cars? Because it allows more competitors into the event. To protect their investment big teams enter 2 cars, or carry a spare. Schools have already proven they can beat them as money is not everything in a "brain sport" event. Times: Scrutineering & other times must be kept, because they are as important as the start time. The old $100 penalty alone did not work in the last event. We now add; moving offenders to reserve status. Why? To scrutineer 60+ cars, things must flow. You may not hold up other competitors or slow down the Scrutineers. The same goes for batteries and the Program.(E8-F2-A1-E4) Look at the bright side - on your brain sport team you need a good old fashioned administrator to keep you engineers, motivators and scientist up with the dreaded paperwork and deadlines. Battery: Battery sample or manufacturer spec sheet (A1) must be sent to Dr. David Rand, CSlRo, Division of Mineral Products, Po Box 124, Port Melbourne, VIC, 32O7, Australia. Car Testing: The Solar test track "Tablelands Highway" runs parallel to the Stuart Highway from Cape Crawford Roadhouse to Barkly Roadhouse - 374 kilometres of sealed road, rough in patches (good suspension testing). The roadhouses have inexpensive accommodation and excellent food. YOU MAY NOT test on the Stuart Highway 2 months before the event in a solar car - whatever licence or permission you have. This does not include the Darwin City end, or the run out to the Arnhem Highway. The Road train drivers are happy about the event, but they would not be happy with constant interference with their track. We all want them happy as 58 wheels reshape Solar cars something awful. I am sure you understand. Use the test track for pre testing and the shorter track near Darwin just before the event. Again the 38 Kilometres minimum speed: Yes, not nice to be told to pack up if you cannot do the 38. There will be no kindness on this rule, therefore you can save the money by not attempting the journey to Australia and to Darwim Please check that you can do 38 constantly. Keep in mind that you have to pass Katherine on day 1. Some have spent a week doing that before and we are pleased that they are still alive, but that was pioneering. This was your first Bulletin, the rest are numbered. Make sure you have them all, and that you highlight the important parts. Some are rules, others are explanations that will be used by the judges of the event. It is hoped that none of the rules or explanations will effect the car you are building right now. |