After driving the Citroën Survolt electric concept car in 2010, Vanina Ickx has a brand new interest in alternative energy. The Belgian driver will drive in the World Solar Challenge, the World Championship of solar cars, that will start in Australia on the 16th of October.

Vanina Ickx will drive for the Umicore Solar Team, driving a solar car, the Umicore Imagine, it will go from Darwin to Adelaide in seven days and cover no less than 3021 km from north to south of Australia! For his fourth in this event unique, the Umicore Solar Team is a new solar car, developed in the last year based on the previous version by fifteen students from Group T Leuven Engineering College. The car has benefited from improvements (such as aerodynamics), and also a completely new engine.

After her best result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2011, finishing seventh at the wheel of the Lola Aston Martin of Kronos Racing, Vanina Ickx will be responsible for driving this new version of the Umicore Imagine: "I have always been concerned with the environment and technological development that can help in the future, to preserve nature. Working with these students and engineers seeking solutions for tomorrow, it s bound to be very rewarding. The team is counting on my experience of motor racing. On the other hand, I discoverng a new form of driving. The aerodynamics are unique, so driving it is different. But I've learned a lot during testing and I am looking forward to hitting the great outdoors. ". Vanina Ickx will go to Australia for the first time:" I am eager to discover this country, experience one of the most beautiful, natural regions of the world. Quietly, with a clean car ... At the other end of the world, in the bubble of the Umicore Imagine, but with a whole team with me. This will undoubtedly be a unique experience. "