Just like in 2023, we had the privilege of participating in the international competition Shell Eco-Marathon Europe and Africa 2024, from May 19 to 24, in the “Urban Concept” category. This competition took place at the Paul Armagnac circuit in Nogaro, France.
Our team’s journey began on Saturday, May 18, when the delegation chosen to represent TFC started their great trip to Nogaro, France. This journey only ended the following day. Monday was a day of hard work for the delegation. Throughout most of the day, various adjustments were made, all in preparation for the challenge we could not overcome in the previous edition: the technical inspection. Resilient, the members persisted and, after long hours in the waiting line, it was finally our turn to prove our worth and overcome this stage.
Tuesday was a decisive day. After a complete mechanical review and approval the previous day, it was time for the hydrogen and electronics departments’ work to be tested. It was at that moment, after five years of effort, sweat, and tears, that we received the news that the TFC01 had passed the technical inspection! The inspection itself was a challenge with various small adjustments made on the spot, but due to the length of the process, it was only finalized the next day.
However, it was not yet time to celebrate, as the test track opened that same afternoon. The team’s goal was to complete 10 laps of the circuit, and for that, we had five attempts; the team that completed these laps most efficiently would win. However, during the tests, problems surfaced, and the car could not complete 10 consecutive laps. Adjustments were made, errors corrected, and the car lightened of non-essential parts, but despite all this, the result remained unchanged and the first three attempts were unsuccessful. The other teams, our supposed rivals, supported us and shared with us the experience that only a team with many years of experience possesses. Thanks to this invaluable support, we were able to make adjustments and correct errors that we would never have discovered on our own. Despite all this, the effort came too late, and two more attempts with the same result marked the end of our stay.
Next year we will return with our heads held high and ready to fight for victory. We thank our sponsors and partners for their support and for embarking on this journey with us, as well as the friends made in other teams who supported us in our most difficult moment.