iLumen European Solar Challenge 2026
Our first race with two vehicles. Hyperion Origin did 248 laps in the Challenger class, Voyager Origin 135 in the Cruiser class, and the team became national champions in both.
- Hyperion Origin, Challenger
- 248laps
- Voyager Origin, Cruiser
- 135laps
| Vehicle | Class | Laps | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyperion Origin | Challenger | 248 (about 995 km) | 9th of 20 National champions |
Fastest lap: 3:38.097 |
| Voyager Origin | Cruiser | 135 | 4th of 6 National champions |
Fastest lap: 4:07.772 |
How it went.
With Hyperion Origin and Voyager Origin.
In 2026 we brought two vehicles to Zolder, built side by side: Hyperion Origin, the vehicle from Australia, reworked in steering, suspension and battery, and Voyager Origin, our first Cruiser, which seats two.
The race started at noon on Saturday and ended at noon on Sunday. We went through sunset, through the night with the headlights on and into a morning with a wet track. At one point Voyager Origin lost grip and slid onto its side; the crew repaired it in the pits and sent it back out, and later it needed a longer stop for an inverter.
At the end Hyperion Origin had 248 laps in the Challenger class and Voyager Origin 135 in the Cruiser class. The team won the Romanian national title in both classes.
Last light. From here on, the battery is all there is.
Into the pits, headlights on.
Inside Voyager Origin, our second vehicle, which seats two.
Morning, and a wet track.
Out of the vehicle, flag out.
- Hyperion Origin, Challenger
- 248laps
- Voyager Origin, Cruiser
- 135laps
National champions in both classes.
One night at Zolder.
Each photo at the time it was taken.
How the race works.
A 24-hour endurance race at Circuit Zolder in Belgium, a former Formula 1 track of 4.011 km. The most laps wins, and points for the dynamic tests before the race and for the fastest lap are added to the standings. Teams also race for their national title.
Le Mans start
The drivers run to their vehicles, climb in and set off together. The race runs from noon to noon, through the night.
Limited charging
Between one and three grid charging stops in 24 hours. The rest of the energy comes from the sun.
Driver changes
Drivers swap every few hours in the pits. Every minute in the pits is a minute lost on track.
Two classes
Challenger, for single-seat vehicles, and Cruiser, for vehicles with more seats that are closer to everyday road vehicles.
Photographs.
In the press.
TVSolis tests its solar vehicle at Cluj Arena before the race
Seventy UTCN students prepare two solar vehicles for Belgium
UTCN students take two solar vehicles to the Zolder circuit
Hyperion Origin and Voyager Origin unveiled at Cars Reveal Solis 2026
TVCluj students build a two-seat solar vehicle for the Cruiser class
