Institution of Engineers backs SunShark for international rally in Japan

The Institution of Engineers, Australia (Queensland Division) has become the latest corporate supporter of the bid by the University of Queensland's SunShark team to win its division of the World Solar Rally in Akita, Japan from August 1-3.

The Institution will hand over a $5000 sponsorship cheque to the Sunshark team as part of the Update ?97 Engineering Excellence Awards at Brisbane's Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday night, July 11.

It joins Qantas, SEQEB, GNB Batteries, the University Vice-Chancellor's Office, University Alumni Association, and the University Technology Shop, as new team supporters.

Continued support is being provided by AUSTA Electric, Silicon Graphics, Michelin, Lillington, and Queensland Rubber and the University's Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments.

The money will help the team to meet the $40,000 cost of competing in the rally, to be held at the purpose-built Ogata-Mura course on the island of Honshu, 600km north of Tokyo.

The University-based team is still seeking further sponsorship to fund its vehicle development program.

SunShark has entered the Stock class, pitting it against vehicles designed by some of the world's leading automotive manufacturers. The Stock class is for vehicles built using off-the-shelf lead-acid batteries and solar cells.

The event is expected to be watched by about 250,000 spectators, with last year's Japanese solar race attracting a field of 69 cars and 97 bicycles.

The University of Queensland vehicle is one of only three international entrants to receive an invitation and special support from organisers to compete in the World Solar Rally.

This followed SunShark's outstanding success as the first Australian entry across the finish line at last year's Darwin-to-Adelaide World Solar Car Challenge.

SunShark was placed fifth overall among 45 international racers and the team claimed the General Motors Sunracer award for technical innovation and achievement. It was also the fastest entry in the silicon/lead-acid battery class.

The team is undertaking a series of improvements and innovations to make sure SunShark is competitive in Japan, and at next year's World Solar Challenge in Australia.

New lighter carbon fibre disc wheels being developed by designers Ben Guymer and Phil Moncrieff will improve the vehicle's acceleration and increase both its cruise speed and battery longevity.

The aerodynamic wheels will each weigh 2.5kilograms less than the conventional alloy motorcycle rims used in the World Solar Car Challenge, giving SunShark 7.5kilograms less to haul around the 31km Ogata-Mura circuit.

Other modifications include further development of the vehicle's canopy, electrical system, a suspension re-design, and improvements to the brakes and telemetry system.

Team member Stephen Goodwin is confident the SunShark will be very competitive in Japan.

'We will do well and, hopefully, come first in our class,' he said. 'It will be a 25-hour race over three days, with the winner being the vehicle which accumulates the most laps.

'A daytime race held in summer on a circuit specifically built for solar racing should provide ideal conditions for all the vehicles.'

For further information contact the University of Queensland solar racing team members Stephen Goodwin or Darren Bell, telephone 07 3365 3771; fax 07 3365 4999, or at the SunShark World Wide Web site - http://www.uq.edu.au/~zzmrobin/sunshark/

For details about the Engineering Excellence Awards contact Gordon Graham at 07 3832 3749.