The World Solar Challenge is a celebration of achievement, of courage and the  application of scientific knowledge in the field of solar technology. Its entrants  will traverse more than 3,000km of the Australian continent from tropical  Darwin to balmy Adelaide, in cars powered only by the sun.  The World Solar Challenge promotes and  celebrates education and technical  excellence and draws attention to the  imperatives of sustainable transport. To  design and build a car capable of  crossing Australia on the power of  daylight, comprehends the most  innovative research and development of alternative transport technologies. The  World Solar Challenge attracts teams and individuals from corporations and  universities all over the world.   In 2001 the Alpha Centauri Team was the first Dutch team to build a solar car and to enter The World Solar Challenge.  Their car, called NUNA, has been designed and build for speed. The most distinctive part of solar cars are the bodies. A  good vehicle shape can save hundreds of watts of power and is essential to building a top solar car. The main goals  when designing the body are to minimize the aerodynamic drag,  maximize the exposure to solar insolation, minimize  weight, and maximize safety. There are many theories on what body shape and size is the most efficient.  In collaboration with the Technical University of Delft and FlowMotion the Alpha  Centauri Team has spent countless hours running simulations and wind tunnel  tests trying to find the optimal shape. This has resulted in a body design which  not only has minimal aerodynamic drag, but also provides stable road holding.  During the race, which is held on public  roads, the solar cars will encounter so-  called road trains. The air displacement of  these giant trucks can seriously affect the  course of the nimble solar cars. A budget of 1 million euro and 18 months of  back-breaking work by the team and supporting companies and organisations  have paid off: on November 21st, after 4 days of racing, the Alpha Centauri  Team crossed the finish line in Adelaide in leading position. With this victory the  Alpha Centauri team has shattered Honda’s eight-year-old speed record, their  average speed being 91.8 km/h. The team   intends to return in 2003 and defend its title.  Offices: The Netherlands Leeghwaterstraat 21 2628 CA Delft Tel.: +31 15 278 2907 Germany Weenermoorer Str. 193 26826 Weener Tel.: +49 4953 922 969 Consultancy for Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics CFD makes fluid dynamics visible. ANSYS Racing Down Under Aerodynamic design of a solar driven racecar We solve every Flow problem. NUON  Alpha Centauri Team www.alpha-centauri.nl Flow Simulations Wind Tunnel Tests Alpha Centauri Team Road Train