When people think about the iLumen European Solar Challenge, they usually think about one thing: the race. But according to founder Frans-Joseph Joosten, some of the biggest victories never happened on the track. They happened long before the lights turned green. “There wasn’t one single moment where I thought: we’ve made it,” he says. “It has been a series of milestones.”
Monaco
One of the first came when FJ was invited by Jean Todt, then President of the FIA, to present the iESC at the Automobile Club de Monaco to the FIA Sports, Environment and Sustainability Commission (SESC).
“For a small Belgian initiative, that was something very special. It showed that people believed in the idea.”
That invitation wasn’t just recognition for the event. It helped put the iESC on the international map and confirmed that its vision resonated far beyond Belgium.
A royal visit
Another unforgettable milestone came years later, when King Filip of Belgium visited the iESC at Circuit Zolder. For FJ, it felt like a reward for years of dedication. What impressed him most wasn’t simply the visit itself, but the King’s genuine curiosity.
“He took the time to speak with the teams, asked thoughtful questions and was truly interested in the technology.”
The King even joined one of the participating teams for a lap around the circuit, experiencing solar racing from inside the car.
From four cars to the world stage
Perhaps the greatest achievement isn’t one single event. It’s the journey itself.
What started with just four solar cars has grown into one of the world’s leading solar racing competitions. This year, the iESC welcomes 32 solar cars from 28 universities across 18 countries, bringing together some of the brightest engineering talent from around the world.
Today, the iESC is recognised as the world’s second-largest solar car event (after the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia), and every edition continues to raise the bar.
A team effort
Although FJ is the founder and driving force behind the iESC, he is the first to point out that none of this would have been possible alone.
“The iESC is organised by an incredible team of people who share the same passion and commitment.”
Together with Michiel, Kristof, Jo, Robin, Kyron and Ismaël, along with many dedicated volunteers, they continue to build an event that grows stronger with every edition. Behind every milestone stands a team that believes in the same vision.
The next victory?
Despite everything the organisation has already achieved, FJ isn’t finished yet.
His next goal?
Welcoming more than 40 teams to Circuit Zolder and continuing to grow the event as a global platform for innovation, engineering and sustainable mobility. Because for him, success has never been measured by trophies. It’s measured by every new team that joins, every student who finds inspiration, and every milestone that proves the impossible can become reality. After all, the greatest victories aren’t always the ones that happen on the podium. Sometimes, they’re the ones that make the race possible in the first place.
