During the past 4 years, we've won the class championship 4 times and have stood on the winners' podium (total ranking) 3 times. We dare to say these are magnificent achievements that no team could ever gain.
Our machine had been classified into CHALLENGE class. (The output power of the solar generator must be over 480WP up to 800WP. Lead storage battery to be used. ) in Suzuka. There is an upper class called DREAM class(The output power of the solar generator must be over 480WP. Any kind of storage battery usable. ). Since 2000, some of competitors in DREAM class started to use Li-ion batteries. We have faced the fatal difference in potential abilities between our lead storage batteries and Li-ion batteries.
To make things worse, new regulations forced the CHALLENGE class competitors to use sealed Pb-acid batteries.
It seemed barely possible to win the total championship if we stayed in CHALLENG class.
Our final goal is to win a total champion in Suzuka. Finally, we decided to compete in DREAM class.
We modified our machine under 3 basic concepts.
1. Installing Li-ion batteries:
The biggest problem was that Li-ion batteries were too expensive for us to buy. We bought junks from Ashiya University (overall champ in Suzuka 2002).
2. Elliptical body
3. Using IRC tires to decrease the resistance