Solar drivers learn how to deal with trucks

It takes driving skill and common sense to pass a road train at any time on the open road in a conventional motor vehicle. But passing in a solar car, especially a streamlined, aerodynamic, lightweight solar car, is just one of the challenges drivers in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge will face.

However last week, a Kenworth C509 road train with its experienced driver and National Road Transport Hall of Famer, Jeff Fulwood, behind the wheel, hit the Hidden Valley racetrack with a bunch of solar cars for some real-world training.

Andy Samsons, Driver Trainer and Crew Chief to ATN solar car Cruiser Class team said: “Well before our drivers went anywhere near our real solar car, we had them performing countless hours of testing in a specially constructed test rig at the Kenworth factory site.”

“Knowing how important road safety is to the BWSC and professional drivers, we got together with fellow teams, local Kenworth dealer, Simon Cameron from CID Equipment and Malcolm Bishop from Nighthawk Transport to organise a ‘first-hand’ demonstration,” he said.

BWSC Event Director Chris Selwood AM said road safety is an absolute priority for the Event which covers 3,000 kilometres between Darwin and Adelaide along the Stuart Highway.

“We work very closely with the governments of both the Northern Territory and South Australia to ensure our competitors are clearly briefed on road safety and the conditions they might encounter,” Mr Selwood said.

During the demonstration, which covered practical tips on being overtaken and overtaking a road train, including the importance of line of sight, maintaining consistent speeds, communication and signalling, Driver Jeff Fulwood took the opportunity to impress upon teams the size and weight of these rigs and the extra distances they need to stop safely.

“I’ve been in the road transport industry since I was seventeen, If there’s one message I’d like to share today, it’s the value of patience,” Jeff said.

“Be patient, wait for the right time to pass, don’t cut in front of a road train and don’t overtake a turning road train – you need to give them space and time,” he said.