Solar race coming to an end
DALLAS, Texas, USA, July 25, 2007. Student teams are finishing an eight-day solar car race across the eastern United States, with speeds averaging from 12 to 45 mph.
The Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge was established ten years ago to motivate students in science and engineering. The challenge teaches high school students how to build solar cars, which are demonstrated on the Texas Motor Speedway or, in odd-numbered years, the teams drive across the country.
This year’s challenge started at the headquarters of Dell computers in Round Rock, Texas, and will finish in New York. Parts of the route involve taking the cars by trailer.
Teams are required to submit an intent to race in February, and formal applications in March. There is an intern program in early July before the race officially starts.
There are nine teams competing this year: the Classic division includes Ocean Springs Solar Team, Solaris, Newton County Solar Car Team and South Plantation Solar Knights; the Open division includes Houston Solar Race Team, NFA Solar Racing Team, CCHS Solar Car Project, Husker Solar Team and Walnut Solar Car Team.
In 1993, the Winston Solar Car Team launched an education program to teach high school students how to build and safely race roadworthy solar cars. The Winston Solar Challenge in 1995 was a cross-country event circling Dallas County; in 1997 it expanded to a 600-mile event from Dallas, TX to San Antonio, TX; and by 1999 it was 1,600 miles from Dallas to Los Angeles.
In 2002, Dell Computers accepted the role as ‘Title Sponsor’ for the Solar Challenge, which now hosts annual events based on the support of Dell Computers, The Winston School, Texas State Energy Conservation Office and Texas Motor Speedway.
The Solar Challenge was named by ‘Technology & Learning Magazine’ as one of America's top 10 ‘most innovative education programs.’
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