Cambridge University’s solar car team, Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER), unveiled its latest car design, for entry into the upcoming World Solar Challenge 2011, at a special launch day here at the Department. The launch day also encompassed the final round of their national Future Car Competition for school children.
Cambridge University Eco Racing designs and builds eco-friendly cars for a variety of competitions and projects. Their latest car has been developed to race in the biennial 'World Solar Challenge', the 'Formula One' of eco-friendly motorsport, which is a 3000 kilometre race across the Australian outback from Darwin to Adelaide 16 - 23 October 2011.
In 2009, CUER entered the race for the first time as the only UK team. This month, after 2 years of development, the new car design was revealed for the first time, showcasing state-of-the- art features and technology.
As a part of the celebrations of their new solar car design, CUER ran an international competition, for school pupils aged from 6 to 14, to design a car for the future. Their designs could use any technology, existing or futuristic, to make their car as ecofriendly as possible. The winners were Toby Harris (12- 14 years category), Jennifer Docherty (9-11 years category) and Peter White (6-8 years category). The overall winner was Peter White, whose design will decorate CUER's car when it races in Australia in October. Prizes were presented by guest speaker Professor Jerome Meisel, Professor Dame Ann Dowling Head of the Department of Engineering, and CUER sponsors Intel and Schlumberger.
CUER is looking to raise money to support their entry into the 'World Solar Challenge' competition. CUER sponsorship packages are still available at all levels for the 2011 World Solar Challenge. Interested parties should email sponsorship@cuer.co.uk to find out more. Individuals interested in supporting the project can join the Friends of CUER scheme at www.cuer.co.uk/donate
