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Abu Dhabi Solar Car Challenge ... part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week events.

Michigan team wins Abu Dhabi solar car challenge

ABU DHABI, January 20, 2015

The team from Michigan University, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, US, won the first place in the Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge, held recently in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The second place went to the UAE’s Petroleum Institute.

The US team was announced winners during the opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi World Future Energy Summit, part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, in Abu Dhabi.

It is the first time the UAE has been represented in a solar car challenge. Belgium’s Punch Powertrain team took the third place.

The event was sponsored by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, the event was part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The first solar challenge competition to be held in the region, saw students from Australia, the Middle East, Europe, America and Asia compete in the cross-country road event.

Noah Kaczor, the driver who crossed the finish line for Michigan University, said: “It’s a dream come true to have won the first Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge. This has been an incredible experience for us and we are thrilled that all our hard work has paid off.”

“We faced tough competition from some great teams from all over the world. Abu Dhabi was an ideal location for an event like this, and we look forward to coming back for future events and hopefully defending our title,” he added.

After a qualifying stage at Yas Marina Circuit, the teams took to the roads of Abu Dhabi, to drive through the city and desert, using only sunlight as their fuel. They had to factor in a variety of elements and road conditions to get the best performance out of their cars.

Abdul Munim Al Kindy, chief executive officer of Adnoc, said: “Congratulations to all of the teams who took part in the Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge.”

Ahmad Belhoul, chief executive officer of Masdar, said: “We are proud to have hosted this iconic event and extend our congratulations to all of the teams involved, especially the winners, Michigan State.”

Dan Eberle, race director, Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge, said: “Congratulations to the University of Michigan on winning the Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge. It was a close run with less than five minutes separating them and the UAE team, the Petroleum Institute.”

“The team performed fantastically in their debut solar competition. It is many years since we have seen a team do so well their first time out. They have done themselves and the country proud,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge |

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