June 29, 2001
Contact: Jason L. JenkinsSenior Information Specialist(573) 882-6217[email protected]
MU SOLAR CAR TEAM WILL "GET ITS KICKS ON ROUTE 66" DURING 2,300-MILE AMERICAN SOLAR CHALLENGE
COLUMBIA, Mo. - In a year when "America's Main Street" celebrates its 75th anniversary, as many as 40 solar-powered cars will retrace historic Route 66 as they compete in the American Solar Challenge, which begins July 15 in Chicago and ends July 25 in Claremont, Calif., just outside of Los Angeles. Among those competing will be SunTiger IV, the University of Missouri-Columbia's solar car.
At 2,300 miles, the inaugural American Solar Challenge is the longest solar car race in the world, surpassing the World Solar Challenge in Australia by more than 400 miles. Like its U.S. predecessor - the competition known as Sunrayce - the biennial, cross-country American Solar Challenge is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Environmental Data Systems Corporation. Its purpose is to promote renewable energy technologies and environmental consciousness while providing a hands-on opportunity for students and engineers to design, build and race solar-powered cars.
SunTiger IV's last cross-country race was Sunrayce '99, a 1,300-mile race from Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Fla. The team finished sixth out of 40 teams in that race, but Matt Aubuchon, team co-manager, said improvements should make SunTiger IV even more competitive this year.
"We replaced 300 pounds of lead-acid batteries with lithium ion cells that weigh 66 pounds, which is a significant weight reduction," Aubuchon said. "We also added a telemetry system - an on-board computer that allows us to monitor the car's other systems - and improved the hydraulic braking system."
Eight square meters of solar cells form the car's solar array, which produces 1,100 to 1,200 watts, or about two horsepower. The car's top speed is about 70 mph, but a 65 mph speed limit is in effect for the race. Because they will be traveling on highways and streets with normal traffic, race participants are expected to follow all traffic laws and regulations.
"This year's race will be a new experience for us," said Rick Whelove, the team's faculty adviser. "Unlike previous races, this is not a stage race. With the exception of a few mandatory stops, we'll decide how far to travel each day, which makes this a race of strategy and speed. The team with the lowest elapsed time for the 10-day race wins."
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The MU SunTiger IV team will provide an update on its progress at the conclusion of each race day. This recorded update will be available by calling (573) 882-2092. Detailed route information can be downloaded at http://www.formulasun.org/asc/route.html. More information about the MU SunTiger IV team is online at http://solar.ee.missouri.edu/.
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