A group photo taken immediately after crossing the finish line. A sense of accomplishment and relief shone on the faces of all the members.

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC), the world's premier solar car race, takes place across the Australian continent, covering approximately 3,000 km using the power of sunlight. The 2025 competition was held over five days, from August 24th to 28th. The Tokai University solar car team, supported by Daiwa Living, also participated and achieved the same 5th place finish as in the 2023 competition.

The stage for the world's most prestigious competition is Australia in the dead of winter.
What was gained by overcoming unusual circumstances and troubles.

Traditionally held in the summer, the BWSC took place in the middle of winter for the first time in the competition's more than 30-year history. Along with the change in timing, the regulations regarding vehicle size and solar panel installation area were also significantly revised. Winter in Australia, with its drastically reduced sunlight and lower temperatures compared to summer, presented an unprecedented environment for all participants. Looking back on the race, they realize the importance of energy management was far greater than they had anticipated.

On the first day of the race, the car suffered a puncture in the rear tire, resulting in damage to the aerodynamic components around the tire. These aerodynamic components were particularly important parts that the team had put a lot of effort into designing and manufacturing, so their damage was a painful setback. Drawing on past experience, each team member responded quickly, limiting the downtime to about 15 minutes before the car could rejoin the race. However, this delay affected the car until the very end.

During the race, we also experienced interaction and mutual support with rival teams that transcended national boundaries. On the day we arrived in Australia, there was a mistake with our hotel reservation, and when our members were at a loss, an Italian team kindly offered us a place to stay—a truly touching episode. We also shared meals with overseas teams, exchanged information about technology, and explained our respective vehicles to each other. While we were rivals during the race, we respected each other's challenger spirit and realized the wonderfulness of a competition where we could push each other to improve.

The cooperation and trust between members on-site and in Japan, far apart from each other, became the strength that allowed us to overcome repeated difficulties.

The team's unity was put to the test in a tense moment on the fourth day, towards the end of the race. Three teams were closely positioned around Tokai University, resulting in an extremely tense race. They encountered unexpected road construction and a course with many undulations, and in a critical situation with their battery running low, they were in a situation where they were overtaking each other (passing and being overtaken) with the University of Michigan from the United States. Tomoki Matsuzaki, the energy management officer who was in the command vehicle at the time, recalls, "We were driving while trying to figure out each other's battery levels. It was the most tense moment."

Although we managed to shake off the University of Michigan, the battle against battery life continued. The campsite where we planned to charge in preparation for the next day's race was 1km away. It was touch and go whether we would be able to reach it. At that moment, we relied on the weather data arriving from Japan. Because solar car races are heavily influenced by the weather, a member in charge of weather satellite information processing was stationed at Tokai University's Shonan Campus, reading cloud and wind direction information from satellite data and transmitting it to the site.
By referring to constantly changing weather forecasts, they calculated the power generation status and driving speed, and the advance reconnaissance team found an alternative camping point using aerial photographs, allowing them to finish the day's race with the battery level near zero. The combined strength of the team, with local and domestic members working together, was what enabled them to overcome the difficult situation.

On the fifth day of the race, the following day, they finished in fifth place in Adelaide, the finish line. The joy of having overcome numerous difficulties and completed the race shone brightly on the faces of all the team members.

Learn from your rivals and develop your own strengths.
The battle for the 2027 tournament, just two years away, has already begun.

The day after the finish, all the participating teams' vehicles were displayed in Victoria Square, attracting many visitors including local residents, team officials, sponsors, and members of the press. The team members answered a variety of questions with smiles. They said they were able to showcase the appeal of Tokai University's "2025 Tokai Challenger" and the excellence of the team that runs it.

Drawing on this experience, the team is currently considering what they need to do for the 2027 competition, exploring concrete paths in both technology and organization. Technically, they are considering introducing coreless motors, which were used by top teams, developing powertrain technology, and unique devices to enhance aerodynamic performance, further improving energy efficiency and aerodynamic performance. They are reviewing the on-site conditions they experienced firsthand and the insights gained from their rivals, and are preparing to tackle the next hurdle. "It's important to build on our strengths and eliminate our weaknesses. We want to identify where we are weak," says President Hideki Kimura, who serves as the team's director. They are also consulting with the manufacturers who provided the vehicle and solar panels, pursuing technology that will surely allow them to aim for world number one.

From an organizational standpoint, the intense work undertaken in a limited time and space fostered in each member the ability to think and act independently. "The biggest growth this time was that each member tackled tasks only they could do, acquired established skills, and became more proactive," reflects Sora Anzai, who is graduating from the team after this event. The seniors have entrusted their dreams to the juniors, and the juniors are preparing for the next event using the experience and knowledge gained this time, while also resolving to lead the next generation. While some overseas teams have students take a leave of absence from university to focus on racing, the Tokai University Solar Car Team aims for the top by balancing academics and racing, while honing not only their technical skills but also their organizational strength to the highest level.

Finishing in fifth place was a disappointing result for a team aiming for their first championship since 2011. However, it brought undeniable growth to each participating member and provided an opportunity to grasp hints for soaring higher in the next competition. There is sure to be great joy at the end of challenging and overcoming high hurdles. The Tokai University Solar Car Team's new challenge has begun for the 2027 competition. We would appreciate your continued warm support.