SPONSORSHIP PROPOSAL
A PROPOSAL TO BACK THE 2007 SOLAR FERN PANASONIC WORLD SOLAR CHALLENGE BID
Solar Fern Racing
The Solar Fern Challenge
Solar Fern is a solar-powered racing car that has been developed by a team of Christchurch engineers to compete in the 2007 Panasonic World Solar Challenge in October. This is a gruelling 3000km endurance race, driving at speeds of up to 120kph through the Australian outback from Darwin to Adelaide, in vehicles powered by the sun alone.
Our team
Solar Fern Racing is a team of engineers and electric vehicle enthusiasts who have taken on the enormous challenge of designing, building and racing a solar powered car in the 2007 Panasonic World Solar Challenge.
The team is lead by engineer Rob Glassey, an official in the 2005 Panasonic World Solar Challenge. Together with core team members Brent Thompson and Barry Twigley, he has drawn together a large group of volunteers to assist with the design and construction of the Solar Fern, culminating in a team of 11 people travelling to Australia for the race in October.
In the absence of large sponsors, the team has become extremely resourceful and determined, seeing through their vision of a sleek and lightweight solar powered vehicle, achieving extremely low aerodynamic drag, and being capable of reaching Adelaide in under 6 days, driving over 500km each day.
That vision is now a reality. Our car will be shipped to Australia on the 20th of September, ready and on the start line in Darwin on the 21st of October.
Although all team members are paying their own costs, there are many logistical expenses involved in running a vehicle in the race, including insurance, customs clearance, port handling, support vehicles, equipment and, ironically.... fuel!
The bodywork - ready for painting
The space frame chassis
Wind tunnel testing has proven our aerodynamic design
The Solar Fern
The Solar Fern
It is our dream to build the world's fastest silicon powered solar car, and this year we have come a long way along that road. In the absence of large sponsors we have not been able to get the high grade of solar panels we had hoped for, but our solar panels are still capable of almost 1000W of solar power, only 30% less than the best silicon solar panels available.
We aim to not only complete the gruelling 3000km endurance race, but to be highly competitive in our class, outperforming many cars with greater solar power. We plan to drive over 500km each day, reaching top speeds of 120 km/h.
We are not a major corporate team, nor do we have the major government backing of many teams. We are a back yard Kiwi team, doing what Kiwi's do best. We're up to the challenge!
Progress
Solar Fern’s design has been extensively tested in state of the art facilities at Canterbury University. Construction of the chassis has been completed, with steering and suspension, motor and batteries, and it can now be driven. The lightweight composite bodywork is almost finished, and remains to be painted. Work continues on the electronic systems of the vehicle, with the motor controller and prototype solar maximiser working well.
Solar Fern features
Our challenge is to find innovative ways to minimise aerodynamic drag, vehicle weight, rolling resistance, and optimise electrical efficiency. Features include:
Wind tunnel tested aerodynamics
Lightweight composite body
Lightweight lithium batteries
Powerful brushless DC permanent magnet motor
High performance solar racing tyres
Weight: 200kg
Dimensions: 1.8m wide x 5m long x 850mm high
The Challenge
The Panasonic World Solar Challenge ( is the world's most prestigious solar racing event. In 2007, the race celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Teams have eight days to complete the course, driving from 8am to 5pm each day, with checkpoints approximately every 500km. Each solar car travels with at least two support vehicles, one in front and another behind. At 5pm each night teams set up camp wherever the car stops, under the stars of the Australian outback.
Conditions are harsh. Maximum temperatures range from 35C to 45C. Winds can be strong, and the sun is relentless. Yet as teams approach Adelaide the weather can sometimes change dramatically, bringing cold temperatures, rain and even hail.
The cars are low, cramped, and even with good ventilation they are hot. Drivers can be on the road for up to six hours non-stop. Being 1000km from civilisation, teams must carry everything, from coffee to welding plants, power tools and generators.
The World Solar Challenge is more than just a race. Over 3000km, reliability, strategy, and organisation can become key factors. Teams must read the weather, know their car, and know the terrain. Good strategy is essential to get the most from the changing winds and clouds. Battery charge needs be managed carefully by keeping a close eye on speed, so that the car can get through cloudy periods and up hills without having to stop. Energy efficiency reduces greatly at high speed, and the best strategies avoid extended periods of high speed, concentrating instead on maintaining a steady, optimal speed during all phases of the race.
Sponsorship opportunities
While we are seeking major sponsors for a further attempt in 2009, opportunities for 2007 are more limited due to the late stage that we are now in. As our car is near completion, our main focus for sponsorship in 2007 is on the expensive and complex logistical task that is a major part of any attempt to compete in the World Solar Challenge.
We require at least 3 support vehicles to travel with the car, plus a trailer, tools, a generator, a welder, flood lights, electronic test equipment, camping equipment, spare parts, and much more. Fuel alone for the 7000km round trip from Adelaide to Darwin and back will cost around $4000. MSC shipping are providing a shipping container and the shipping to Adelaide and back, but there are many fees and other costs involved in port handling, customs clearance, and insurance. We will need at least $20,000 to cover logistical expenses, even if all team members are paying their own way.
We hope to cover these costs through the support of a number of sponsors in the $5,000 to $2,000 range.
As we have no major sponsors, we are able to offer you much greater value than would normally be possible for a solar car project.
Packages
We are offering a range of sponsorship opportunities and promotional advantages.
Naming Rights – ‘Your Name' Solar Fern: $50,000
Gold Sponsors: $5,000 - $10,000
Team Sponsor: $2,000 - $5,000
Solar Fern Supporter: Individual $100-$2000
Solar Fern Supporter: Group $200-$2000 (multiple names)
Solar Fern Supporter: Business $300-$2000 (company name & logo)
Promotion opportunities
The media has already taken a keen interest in the progress of the Solar Fern, with articles appearing in The Press, New Zealand Geographic and TV1 News. TV3’s 60 Minutes programme has begun filming a documentary about the bid, and are sending a camera crew to Australia to follow our fortunes.
The key opportunity for New Zealand exposure will be during the nationwide tour in Early 2008, as a follow up to our achievements and media exposure in the 2007 World Solar Challenge. The tour starts in Invercargill and passes through all major cities, finishing in Cape Reinga.
We will promote the Solar Fern Tour of New Zealand through press releases to both local and national media and through posters advertising the event in each location. We intend to organise a number of significant national media events and hope to involve local personalities and politicians at various stops to attract media and public interest. We will have the car on display in busy public places.
We are able to make the Solar Fern available for appearances during the tour, and by arrangement at other time following the race. Expenses, including transport and accommodation, relating to appearances away from the intended route or at other times, will probably need to be covered seperately by the sponsor.
We also provide all sponsors and supporters with a certificate of appreciation, and a poster of the Solar Fern including the logos of all our sponsors.
A specialist photographer will be available during the race, although he is not part of the team or our sponsorship package.
The Solar Fern team
CORE TEAM
Project Director
Rob Glassey Electronics engineer, official in 2005 World Solar Challenge (WSC)
Mechanical
Brent ThompsonComposite and aerodynamic specialist
Barry TwigleyMechanical engineer
Electrical
Rob GlasseyElectronics engineer & project director
Randal Taylor Electronics engineer
Drivers
Barry Twigley
Brent Thompson
Randal Taylor
Logistics
Murray BrownAsia Pacific Rally Championship coordinator
ADVISERS
Warren Pettigrew 35 years in electric vehicle development, founding employee of Dynamic Controls, director of Raztec, motor and drive electronics specialist
Mike Duke Solar researcher at Waikato University and senior lecturer at London South Bank University who led the British "Mad Dog" solar car team from 1996 to 2003
Stuart Lister Two-times past entrant in WSC, team leader "Solar Kiwi" 1990,1993 (New Zealand's most successful solar car team, winning their class in 1993)
Neville Baxter NZ entrant in 1996 WSC with a solar powered bicycle
Graeme Harris Canterbury University wind tunnel technician
Phil Garrett Flying Kiwi project director. World land speed record holder for 1000cc sidecar motorcycles.
Richard Duke Dean of Engineering University of Canterbury, Electric MR2 project leader
Mike Brown Photographer, WSC 1990-2003
Packages
1. Naming Rights : $50,000
'Your Name' Solar Fern used in all publications and publicity
Approximately 150mm x 1000mm x 2 name space on the side of the Solar Fern, also dominant position on trailer and team vehicles
Approximately 60mm x 300mm name space on the front of the Solar Fern
The right to refer to yourself as the naming rights sponsor of the (Name) Solar Fern in your own marketing, and advertise your involvement as you see fit.
Official sponsor's certificate
The right to set up presentations at stops on New Zealand tour and other events
Input on New Zealand tour schedule and stops
The option to allow key staff and customers to drive the car at stops on the New Zealand tour or other events
This money is expected to completely cover all logistical expenses of a well run attempt, including transport, accommodation, and other personal expenses of the team members.
2. Gold Sponsor ($5,000 - $50,000)
Approximately 100mm x 300mm x 2 name space on the side of the Solar Fern, also proportionally on trailer
Approximately 50mm x 150mm name space on the front of the Solar Fern
The right to refer to yourself as a sponsor of the Solar Fern in your own marketing, and advertise your involvement as you see fit.
Official sponsor's certificate
The right to set up presentations at stops on New Zealand tour and other events
3. Official Supplier / Team Sponsor ($2,000 - $5,000)
Approximately 100mm x 300mm x 1 name space on the side of the Solar Fern
The right to refer to yourself as a sponsor of the Solar Fern in your own marketing, and advertise your involvement as you see fit.
Official sponsor's certificate
4. Supporters’ Club ($100-$2,000)
Name or small logo on the back of the car (up to 50mm x 100mm for $1000) - depending on level.
Official supporter's certificate
Family, Group and Business options available
More details on
Contact us
Rob Glassey : Project Director
Phone 03 352 6448 / 021 122 9483
Solar Fern Racing
PO Box 21-363
Christchurch 8143
New Zealand
Nuna 3: winner of the 2005 World Solar Challenge