11-04-2008 / Solar kart Race 2008

Heerlen – Despite the bad weather forecasts for Friday, the sun above business park “Avantis” was shining nonetheless. In large numbers, students from the participating schools set foot at business park “Avantis” to support their fellow students during the Solar Kart Race. The day started early in the morning because a lot of building up had to be done before the first visitors and participants entered the circuit. With the help of several students and a handful of co-workers from Solland Solar we had everything ready and in place at 10.30 for the first edition of the Solar Kart Race held in Zuid-Limburg. To accompany this event a professional DJ/Speaker was invited. He reported the race and also provided the audience with music during the entire day. For this event, Solland Solar had a special Solland Solar finish bow made. This huge feature turned out to be a real eye catcher.

At 10.45 the event was opened in style with an opening speech held by Solland Solar’s CEO Gosse Boxhoorn and Rene Seijben from Avantis. After this, the student race began. The last few weeks the four participating schools tried their very best in order to finish their kart in time and of course to reach a maximum speed as high as possible. A visit by the Solland team at one of the schools resulted in a lot of concerns among the Solland team. Would their kart go fast enough? As sponsor and organiser of the event they wanted to make sure that they made a long-lasting and good impression.

At 13.00 the Solland team started in the open class race. After some last adjustments their kart was ready just in time for the start. Right after the starting signal it turned out that their previous concerns were totally misplaced. While accelerating, it soon became obvious that the students would face a hard time competing with the Solland Kart. After two laps all competitors were doubled and the Solland Kart lonely crossed the finish line at the end of the race. This way the trophy made available by Solland Solar stayed within their walls. Wendy Kleijnen in person of Solland Solar accepted the award for the first place.

Despite the fact that this event was organized for the first time and looking at the brief preparation time we can all look back at a very successful event. Besides students, teachers and the organization team there were also special guests present who are business partners of Solland Solar. In other words, the project will definitely be organised a second time. With more students, more visitors, and faster karts… See you next year!

Raymond Mingels

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