Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024
A big part of the team’s ethos, apart from racing solar cars, is highlighting the importance of STEM and showcasing the possibilities of solar technologies. Attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed was a big part of our outreach mission this year.
The team had the opportunity to not just showcase one car at the event, but two of our latest vehicles, DUSC2023 and Ortus-T. The former was our record breaking solar car that competed in the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, while Ortus-T is our newest car designed for competing on track at the iLumen European Solar Challenge.
The Goodwood Hill Climb: Ascending Alongside Motorsport's Finest
The first day at the event saw DUSC2023 take on the iconic Goodwood Hill Climb. Alongside F1 cars, luxury hyper cars, and other well established racing teams, we successfully ascended the hill whilst thousands of captivated spectators watched on.
In October 2023 the same car drove 3020 km across Australia, however the gradient of the Goodwood Hill Climb is twice as steep as the hills the car had to climb while crossing Australia, posing a significant challenge. The team worked hard to ensure the car was able to make the climb without a hitch.
This milestone underscores the importance of advancing solar-powered transportation technologies and highlights the exciting potential of renewable energy in motorsport.
The Future Lab: Surrounded by Success
Durham University Solar Car was spotlighted in the Festival of Speed Future Lab – an exhibit dedicated to showcasing some of the latest and greatest innovations. The team’s stand attracted crowds eager to learn more about the future of solar powered transportation.
Taking part in the Future Lab launch evening, opened with a speech by the Duke of Richmond, their new track car, Ortus-T, was officially launched in front of their main sponsor Serica Energy as well as the Red Arrows. The Duke of Richmond congratulated the Durham team for their dynamic debut.
The prominent position by the entrance to the Future Lab provided an excellent place from which the 200,000 attendees of the event could spot the cars. This allowed the team to speak to thousands of members of the public having insightful conversations about engineering, solar cars and higher education.
Unveiling Ortus-T : The Next Chapter
The Goodwood Festival of Speed served as the perfect stage for the public launch of Durham University’s new track car, Ortus-T, for the iLumen European Solar Challenge (iESC). Prefaced by speeches from the team’s faculty advisor, Professor David Sims-Williams, and the Team Principal, Vedika Bedi, the car’s livery was revealed. Featuring high-efficiency solar panels, a composite monocoque bodyshell, and the ability to house two in-wheel motors, the new track car will head to Circuit Zolder this September to compete in the 24 hour endurance race.
The launch allowed the team to thank our invaluable sponsors that make the project possible. Partners like Serica Energy, Bridgestone UK, Benthams and Holroyd, Reece Foundation, IGUS and Shape are crucial to making Durham University Solar Car what it is today!
STEM Seminars: Inspiring the Next Generation
A highlight for the team was helping inspire young children and students to take an interest in Engineering and STEM. The event’s STEM programme saw 1,000 students from 24 schools and colleges visit the Festival of Speed, including the Future Lab. As part of this, members of the Durham team, Nick Thornton and Caitlin Musto, ran a seminar for secondary school pupils. They gave a presentation to students about the solar car project, the opportunities it presents to young engineers, and the importance of engineering in tackling the challenges of the future. Acting as a role model for the younger generation has always been an essential part of the team’s mission.
