// THE RACE
Carrera Solar Atacama is the first solar powered car competition in Latin America. The race takes place in the driest desert in the world, where you can find with the highest levels of solar radiation on the planet, and impressive landscapes.
The official launch of Latin America’s first solar vehicle race was held in October 2009 at the Salón del Automóvil under the direction of Leandro Valencia, CEO of the NGO La Ruta Solar.
//2011, 1st event
On September 30th, 2011, eleven teams divided into Hybrid and Evolution Classes took on the world’s driest desert, the Atacama. Following a route of 1060 kilometres,the Antakari team were crowned the winners of the Evolution Class, and Los Andes Mining Parts Team took out the Hybrid Class.
//2012, 2nd event
At the 2nd Carrera Solar Atacama, the Antakari team from the Universidad de La Serena and Minera Los Pelambres, was once again crowned winner of the Evolution Class 2012 following four days of competition. First place in the Hybrid Class went to ACAPOMIL team from the Academia Politécnica Nacional. The race took place over a route of 1200 km, divided in four stages:
1.- Humberstone – Calama.
2.- Calama – Toconao – San Pedro de Atacama.
3.- Calama – Baquedano.
4.- Salitrera Chacabuco – Humberstone.
//2014, 3rd edition
In 2014, in the 3rd Carrera Solar Atacama, Chile’s ecological rally, the Organiser established a camp at Parque El Loa, Calama, firstly to improve logistics and communication between teams, and also as a means of opening the race up to the general public, allowing them to come face-to-face with the vehicles that participated in the competition.
Not all competitors were able to complete the 1400 km-long journey, and after a hard-fought competition, two-time world champions Tokai from Japan finished first in the Evolution Class, and in the Hybrid Class, Geminis Eco Racing Team from Chile took out the victory.
//2016, 4th edition
In the 4th Carrera Solar Atacama 2016, teams were challenged with a new 2,300 km route from Iquique to Diego de Almagro.
One of the main changes incorporated into this year’s event was a change to the Hybrid Class regulations, where solar panels were eliminated from the vehicles and replaced with external solar charging stations.
The winner of the Evolution Class was Solar Ka Antü Newen from the Universidad de Concepción, while the Equipo Bolivia team came in first place in the Hybrid Class
//2018, 5th edition
The 5th Carrera Solar Atacama is shaping up to be the most extreme challenge in the event’s history. This year, teams will face an unprecedented route that will stretch from Santiago through the north of Chile to Arica over more than 2,600 kilometres. Without doubt, this year’s race will be the longest and most difficult of all solar races ever held in Chile.
Some further changes this year include the introduction of sub-categories in each class: the new Solar Class (previously Evolution Class) will consist of CGE Challenger (single-occupant vehicles) and Cruiser (two-or-more occupant vehicles), and the Hybrid Class will consist of SQM Monoplaza (single-occupant vehicles) and Biplaza (dual-occupant vehicles).
