Being Aeolus Champion is a hard job so we are sorry you had to wait so long for a video of the race. Anyway, we are happy to present this funny little movie that shows our first ride on the dyke at the lovely coast of Den Helder. It was shoot on a bicycle… you can hear the guy complaining because he cannot follow the Ventomobil;)The video gives you also an impression of the functionality of our wind racer: The carbon-fibre-built tower can be turned into the wind, and through pitching the blades can be adjusted optimally to the wind speed. Via two bicycle gearboxes and a bicycle chain the power then is transmitted to the axle.

It was tough, it was hard-fought but in the end WE DID IT! At the end of the racing days in Den Helder, our Ventomobil turned out to be the fastest wind racer at the Aeolus Race! In a competition of each against all, we reached 65% of the wind speed straight into the wind and came out on top. Our big advantage was the lightweight construction of the Ventomobil: Our baby weighs only 130 kg, the racer of the second placed team “Energy research Centre of the Netherlands” (ECN) weighs almost 400 kg. And there is even more to it than that! We have also won the prizes for the best PR work and the best design!! We are really enthusiastic about that, you’ll hear more about the race later… we gotta party a little now!Here are some pictures as an appetizer!
The Arrival in Den HelderOn your marks, get set...We are the ones ahead!!

The moment of truth has arrived! After eight months of hard work and a lot of testing with the Ventomobil, we compete at the Aeolus Race in Den Helder, Netherlands! The three-day race (August 21 to 23) with five international competitors will be a hard challenge - but we certainly try our best!!! The challenge, taking place alongside the festivities of the Tall Ships Races 2008, is conducted on the Den Helder seawall. The entrance requirements are strict: Sailing straight into the wind in a single-handed land yacht equipped with rotorblades or a (Darius)turbine.The first test drive with the Ventomobil at an airport near Stuttgart, Germany
All teams on the track will be eyed by an observation team during trial & testing, qualifying race and finals. The observation team consists of 1 or 2 arbitrators and a full inspection team. At 6 pm, each night, we will make camp.Well, even if we aren't the fastest team we'll have a good chance to win an prize, since there is a number of other awards like the one for the best design, safety, best sportsmanlike behaviour and even bad luck! Anyway, of course we want to come out on top and we will show that wind mobility is really working! See for yourself by watching our latest video: The first recording of the Ventomobil in action:We keep you updated about the Aeolus Race! Stay tuned!!

Ladies and gentlemen, we proudly present the Oscar for innovative ideas made in Germany: Within the scope of the Day of Science at the University of Stuttgart, we received the Land of Ideas Award for pioneering projects!We want to thank you for your support with some pictures of our big day! Watch also our video of the public presentation of the Ventomobil! Stay tuned, pioneers!

We called for your help, and you delivered! Thanks a lot to Fabian a.k.a. Thälmannpioneer who answered our call and sent us some great designs for an InVentus T-Shirt!! Click the slideshow to see the hot drawings and read Fabians explanations!

Would be great to read about your impression - Tell us which design you like best by commenting this blog!!We also got a design from Kerstin and Julia some friends of us at the University of Stuttgart - a little more formal, but also cool... by the way, it's quite small but note the Club of Pioneers Logo at the sleeve;)
Front view

Rear view
The start has been made - but we still want YOUR ideas für a Ventomobil-Shirt!

To email us your design, visit the Ventomobil Project site on Club of Pioneers by clicking here!

The day has finally come: After eight months of hard work we have presented the prototype of the ventomobil to the public! The respond was fantastic: People are really enthusiastic about the concept to use the wind to drive against the wind - and last but not least we received the Land of Ideas Award for innovative projects made in Germany!Watch the first performance of the Ventomobil - exclusive, in colour and almost in motion!
And by the way: There's still a lot to do! You can help us to bring the Ventomobil on the streets. Test drive the Ventomobil and give us your feedback - or bring up your idea of a chassis design for the Ventomobil.Your help would be appreciated!

Next week we'll have our big day: On our Land of Ideas Event on June 21st, we will present the Ventomobil to the public!Nevertheless, there's still a lot to do: We are working on a possible chassis design for the Ventomobil. In the Slideshow, you can see our first drafts.

YOUR DESIGN SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME! If you have a design idea for the Ventomobil chassis, send us your draft at redaktion@clubofpioneers.comUse our outline to draw your chassis idea: Download here!