The Race Crew is arriving back in the States and Continuum has completed around 1/3 of it’s 1.5 month journey back to the US. Continuum will make a brief stop for an event in LA before being transported back home to Ann Arbor, MI. The Team is busy preparing for the 2008 North American International Auto Show where Continuum will sit on display between the 19th and 27th of January. We’ve gathered an amazing amount of pictures from our journey across the Outback and, thanks to continued work with RCom Networks, we’ll be releasing another documentary about The University of Michigan Solar Car Team, this time featuring our work with Continuum in WSC 2007. Details to come early next year.
In the meantime, by popular request, here’s a collection of images from WSC ’07:
Above: Continuum ready to start racing at 8:10am on October 21st, 2007. Above: The public lined the barriers exiting the start line in Darwin
Above: The array experienced significant damage following an accident close to the start line. By far the most serious damage was seen in the front steering bulkhead which supports the vehicle’s steering system. More than 50% of the carbon plate delaminated during the crash, rendering the car undriveable and requiring delicate repairs.

Above: Race Crew member sleeping in the semi between work shifts while repairing Continuum’s body, steering, and array. Repairs were complete by 8:00am the next day.
Above: The engineering team spent all night after day 2 repairing extensive damage to the electrical system after experiencing a battery short caused by the accident the day before Above: Continuum charging after a successful day on the road

Above: Booster module being installed during a control stop

Above: Temperatures exceeded 100 degrees F in the Northern Territory
Above: Spencer drives Continuum to the end of timing Above: Race Crew sings the Victors at the end of timing

Above: Continuum Team at the ceremonial finish line in downtown Adelaide

Continuum averaged 89 kph during the second half of the race, finishing the 1500 kilometer stretch 45 minutes faster than our 2005 vehicle despite regulation changes. The vehicle passed nearly 30 Teams, making up between 7 and 10 hours of race time on its nearest competitors over 3,000 kilometers. Even after more than 10 hours of repairs, Continuum finished 7th place in the Challenge Class, only 9 minutes behind the 6th place Team, 47 minutes behind the 5th place Team, and 3 hours 47 minutes behind the 4th place Team.