World Solar Challange

Infinium Finishes 3rd in the World Solar Challenge!

Posted Wed, 10/28/2009 - 11:58pm by Steven Durbin
Infinium has successfully completed the World Solar Challenge finishing in third place! This finish ties the 1990, 2001 and 2005 teams for the best placing by Michigan. The team crossed the finish line in Adelaide this evening, cruising in at almost 110kph.

End of Day 4

Posted Wed, 10/28/2009 - 11:05am by Steven Durbin

Unfortunately, the team was unable to finish the race yesterday stopping 10km north of Port Wakefield. Through out the entire day the team battled Nuon for second place which including at least 6 lead changes. The team was able to pull into the Port Augusta checkpoint 5 seconds ahead of Nuna 5. Shorty after leaving the check point Nuna 5 over took Infinium, but a couple minutes later Infinium moved back into second place. Nuna 5 matched Infinium's speed and then eventually passed and put some distance between the two cars.

As time in the race day was coming to an end, it looked like Infinium would finish the day four minutes behind Nuna 5.  Unfortunately, the team ran out of momentum trying to make it up a hill, and was forced to push Infinium to the top and take a 10 minute penalty. This penalty combined with the lead Nuon has created, will almost certainly mean a third place finish for Michigan.

Our hats go of from the team from Tokai University who ran an incredible race with their amazing car. We would also like to congratulate Nuon on their successful recovery and race. They certainly made the last leg very exciting for us back at home.

Lastly, I would like to congradute our team in Australia on running an amazing race. Everyone in the States is so proud of how well the race crew performed. The team should be crossing the finish line this evening. I encourage everyone to follow Infinium into Adelaide using the GPS tracker.

Final Day of Racing

Posted Tue, 10/27/2009 - 4:18pm by Steven Durbin

Solar Enthusiasts,

I would like to thank everyone for the tremendous amount of support the team has received. In a couple of hours Infinium will start its fourth and hopefully final day of the race. The team is attempting to finish second in the World Solar Challenge, something that has never been accomplished in the team's 20 year history. To finish second, the team will have to pass the four-time defending champions, Nuon, a task which will not be easy by any means.

To follow Infinium on the last day please take this link. Infinium's position will be updated approximately every ten minutes. I hope everyone will track Infinium until it crosses the finish line in Adelaide. As soon as I hear from the team, I will post the final results.

Go Fast, Go Smooth, Go Blue!

Steve Durbin
Interim Project Manager

Infinium reaches Coober Pedy

Posted Tue, 10/27/2009 - 2:36am by Steven Durbin
After starting the day just North of Alice Springs, Infinium was able to reach the checkpoint 5 minutes ahead of Nuna 5. Shortly after leaving the checkpoint Michigan was overtaken by Nuon and fell into 3rd place by 20 minutes. Throughout the rest of the morning the team was able to decrease Nuon's lead to 12 min by the next checkpoint, Kulgera. In the afternoon Infinium continued to catch up to Nuna 5 pulling into Cobber Pedy only 5 minutes behind. Tomorrow should be an intense day of racing; if weather holds out the top 3 teams will be crossing at end of timing tomorrow afternoon.

Infinium is out of Tennant Creek

Posted Sun, 10/25/2009 - 9:50pm by Steven Durbin
Infinium has just left Tennant creek, 30 minutes behind Tokai and at least 30 minutes ahead of Nuon. The team is currently in the middle of a large dust storm, which is affecting the amount of energy the cells can generate. With every team affected by this storm, Infinium's large battery pack should help the team close the gap on Tokai!

End of Day 1

Posted Sun, 10/25/2009 - 10:09am by Steven Durbin
After one day of racing, the team as traveled 746 kilometers. They are currently located 10 Kilos south of Elliot, 240Kilos from Tennant Creek and 747 Kilos from Alice Springs. Following the Umicore crash, Infinium remains in 2nd place, still about 30-40K behind Tokai and 50Km ahead of Nuon.

Infinium Reaches First Check Point

Posted Sat, 10/24/2009 - 11:08pm by Steven Durbin
The team successfully made it Katherine. They are currently in 3rd place, trailing Tokai and Umicore by 5 minutes. After a roadside pit stop, Nuon is in 4th place trailing by 10 minutes. Weather is sunny so all top teams are hitting speeds between 100KPH and 110KPH.

Meet the Race Crew!

Posted Sun, 10/11/2009 - 7:34pm by Julia Hawley

We would like to invite you to MEET THE RACE CREW that will be racing Infinium in the World Solar Challenge. Follow this link to see pictures and read the biographies of the students that are currently in Australia preparing Infinium for the big race.

Go Blue!!!