2006 World Solar Rally in Taiwan
Encyclopedia
The 2006 World Solar Rally in Taiwan was a solar vehicle
auto race
held in September 2006 in Taiwan
. Ten teams from five countries, most university
-based, competed in a series of races around the island for the trophy.
, followed by a circuit race at Pingdong Airport on September 17, with the actual rally taking place in three stages on the following three days. The total race was about 570 km (354.2 mi) long. Most of the race consisted of untimed transit stages, while the eight timed sections totaled up to about 44 km (27.3 mi) long.
The route went past landmarks and cultural destinations including the Shueishang Tropic of Cancer Park in Chia-yi, Lukang Tienhou Temple in Changhua, Da-Jai as Jenlan Temple in Taichung
, Chulu Pasture in Taitung
, and Fong Kong in Pintong.
The terrain
on all three days of the rally was very diverse. Most of the first day was on gently curving two-lane roads, and was generally uphill. The first day concluded with a very steep hill climb. The second day's timed stages were on roller-coaster-like four-lane highways, while the third and last day's route was on flat, straight highway. Each day presented its own unique challenges for planning strategy.
The top three from the circuit race at Pingdong Airport were Sky Ace TIGA from Ashiya University
in Ashiya, Japan, Apollo V from the National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences
in Taiwan, and Tokai Falcon from Tokai University
in Japan.
Six teams placed in the rally; the other five did not complete all of the rally and thus could not place. First place went to Ashiya University from Ashiya, Japan. Second place was Apollo V from the National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences
; third place was the team from Southern Taiwan University of Technology
.
Solar vehicle
A solar vehicle is an electric vehicle powered completely or significantly by direct solar energy. Usually, photovoltaic cells contained in solar panels convert the sun's energy directly into electric energy. The term "solar vehicle" usually implies that solar energy is used to power all or part...
auto race
Auto Race
is a Japanese version of motorcycle speedway, but combines gambling added into it and is held on an asphalt course, throughout Japan. It is regulated by the JKA Foundation.A typical Auto Race bike is 599㏄. Autorace is predominantly a gambling sport...
held in September 2006 in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. Ten teams from five countries, most university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
-based, competed in a series of races around the island for the trophy.
Race
The race was preceded by a parade on September 16 through the city of KaohsiungKaohsiung
Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...
, followed by a circuit race at Pingdong Airport on September 17, with the actual rally taking place in three stages on the following three days. The total race was about 570 km (354.2 mi) long. Most of the race consisted of untimed transit stages, while the eight timed sections totaled up to about 44 km (27.3 mi) long.
The route went past landmarks and cultural destinations including the Shueishang Tropic of Cancer Park in Chia-yi, Lukang Tienhou Temple in Changhua, Da-Jai as Jenlan Temple in Taichung
Taichung
-Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly....
, Chulu Pasture in Taitung
Taitung City
Taitung City is the county seat of Taitung County, Taiwan. It lies on the southeast coast of Taiwan facing the Pacific Ocean.The city is served by Taitung Airport. Taitung is a gateway to Green Island and Orchid Island, both of which are very popular among Taiwanese tourists.-History:Taitung...
, and Fong Kong in Pintong.
The terrain
Terrain
Terrain, or land relief, is the vertical and horizontal dimension of land surface. When relief is described underwater, the term bathymetry is used...
on all three days of the rally was very diverse. Most of the first day was on gently curving two-lane roads, and was generally uphill. The first day concluded with a very steep hill climb. The second day's timed stages were on roller-coaster-like four-lane highways, while the third and last day's route was on flat, straight highway. Each day presented its own unique challenges for planning strategy.
Results
The awards ceremony was held on 21 September.The top three from the circuit race at Pingdong Airport were Sky Ace TIGA from Ashiya University
Ashiya University
is a private university in Ashiya, Hyōgo, Japan, founded in 1964.- External links :* in Japanese...
in Ashiya, Japan, Apollo V from the National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences
National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences
National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences is a university located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.-History:*In 1963, Taiwan Provincial Government assigned funds to establish the Provincial Kaohsiung Institute of Technology at its present location.*In the fall of 1963, the Institute opened its gates...
in Taiwan, and Tokai Falcon from Tokai University
Tokai University
is a private university in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1943 by Shigeyoshi Matsumae, who had formerly been the engineering president of the Ministry of Communications...
in Japan.
Six teams placed in the rally; the other five did not complete all of the rally and thus could not place. First place went to Ashiya University from Ashiya, Japan. Second place was Apollo V from the National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences
National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences
National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences is a university located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.-History:*In 1963, Taiwan Provincial Government assigned funds to establish the Provincial Kaohsiung Institute of Technology at its present location.*In the fall of 1963, the Institute opened its gates...
; third place was the team from Southern Taiwan University of Technology
Southern Taiwan University of Technology
-Presidents:*President Shin Wen-Bing *President Chang Hsin-Hsiung *President Tai Chein -Motto:The university's motto is Trust, justice, sincerity, honesty....
.
Teams
Ten teams competed in the event. The National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, who hosted the event, fielded two cars, bringing the total number of cars to eleven. A twelfth car, the #101 from Aurora Vehicle Association in Australia, entered the event but was not able to attend. They were forced to withdraw after their car was destroyed in an accident at the Tour del Sol in France in June.| Team | Vehicle | Country | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashiya University Ashiya University is a private university in Ashiya, Hyōgo, Japan, founded in 1964.- External links :* in Japanese... |
Sky Ace TIGA | Japan | 1 |
| Univ. of Applied Sciences | Apollo V | Taiwan | 2 |
| Southern Univ. of Tech. | Phoenix | Taiwan | 3 |
| University of Minnesota University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project, or UMNSVP, is a team of undergraduate students from the University of Minnesota that designs and constructs solar cars... |
Borealis III | USA | 4 |
| Univ. of Applied Sciences | Apollo Plus | Taiwan | 5 |
| Tokai University Tokai University is a private university in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1943 by Shigeyoshi Matsumae, who had formerly been the engineering president of the Ministry of Communications... |
Tokai Falcon | Japan | 6 |
| Middle East Tech. Univ. | Ekinoks | Turkey | Did not Complete |
| Principia College | Ra 6 | USA | Did not Complete |
| KAMM Solar Car Team | KAMM | Germany | Did not Complete |
| HelioDet Solar Car Team | Heliodet 6 | Germany | Did not Complete |
| University of Tehran | Persian Gazelle | Iran | Did not Complete |