FoxFury Lighting Solutions is proud to sponsor the University of Michigan Solar Car Team (UMsolar) in their effort to win the 2013 World Solar Challenge. FoxFury has provided UMsolar with portable LED area lighting for night use during the 1,800 mile (3000 km) road race across the Australian Outback.
"We are excited to have FoxFury on board as our exclusive lighting partner again this year! We have been using FoxFury lights for several races now and they have been extremely valuable—providing plenty of light to ensure that we complete all of our operational tasks and car maintenance without issue." said Eric Hausman, Race Manager for UMsolar.
UMsolar's Generation is a sun powered, 4 wheel solar vehicle that can achieve a top speed of over 105 mph (169 kph). It features a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and body, runs on lithium ion batteries and uses silicone solar cells. Building the solar car is a two year project that takes over 100 student team members and more than $1 million dollars.
"We're excited to partner with UMsolar again. They're great people and they've worked so hard on their amazing vehicle. We hope our lights can give them an edge with night maintenance and keep the entire team safe at night in their camp," said Antonio Cugini, Director of Marketing for FoxFury.
UMsolar will be entirely self-reliant throughout the World Solar Challenge and will camp in the Australian Outback during the four race days. UMsolar is regarded as the most successful solar car team in North America, having won the North American Solar Challenge (NASC) seven times (out of a possible eleven) and is currently the defending four-time champion. The team has also placed third in the World Solar Challenge (WSC) five times. No North American team has ever won the World Solar Challenge.
"We expect these lights to save us time in our evening operations in the Outback including vehicle maintenance in the pitch black of night. Nomad flood lights will be used to light our tents for vehicle maintenance. Command headlamps will allow team members to work anywhere with plenty of light," said Hausman.
UMsolar successfully performed a mock race that covered parts of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio in late July. They'll head to Australia in September before competing in the World Solar Challenge from October 6-13.
