The Solar Car Challenge has come and gone through Carlsbad for this year. The last time the Solar Car Challenge came through town was in 2018. The goal of the Solar Car Challenge Education Program is to help motivate students in Science, Engineering, and Alternative Energy. The program teaches high school students how to design, engineer, build, and safely drive a road worthy solar car.
A total of 925 miles will be traveled between Fort Worth, TX to Palmdale, CA. The team with the most accumulated driving miles over the seven days of driving will be declared the winner. 22 teams from across the nation (TX, KY, AR, WI, WA, MI, OR, CA) started out competing in the 30th anniversary of the Solar Car Challenge, 18 left Carlsbad Tuesday morning.
Langen Moffett, a team captain for the Covenant Christian Solar Car Team, from Colleyville, TX, with the car Cougar Spirit, shared some insights into a race day while making adjustments (like changing the tires, something done daily) to the team car during their stop in Carlsbad.
From Snyder, TX to Carlsbad, NM The Cougar Spirit solar car logged 194 miles, and averaged 29.2 mph. Which put them in first place for this leg of the race, allowing them to leave first for the next part of the race. This team has seven different drivers, allowing the team to take turns driving in 1-3 hour increments. The team has a portable air conditioner (42 lbs) that can be used to help with the oppressive heat. When Cougar Spirit left town Tuesday morning, they opted to pull the AC to lower their weight and hopefully gain some good mileage during the early stages of race day #3.
Drivers left the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts and Exhibition Center Tuesday morning, in one minute increments, with Mayor Janway waving the flag, signaling for each car to go. Racers are heading for El Paso, TX where they will have a rest day before going on to Florence, AZ. From Florence, AZ they will go to Wickenburg, AZ. Then from Wickenburg to 29 Palms, CA, then finishing the race on Sunday July 23rd in Palmdale, CA.
Monday night, Carlsbad Rotary Club fed the 300 race participants when they came in from Snyder, TX. They also fed the racers when they came through in 2018. Teams can consist of a lead car, the solar car, a trailer, and a chase crew. All cars must have a roll cage, ‘crush zones’, safety harness, horn, communications, turn signals, and a fire extinguisher. The chase vehicles and trailer act as support in case of a breakdown on the road. Anticipated return date will be in 2025, as the challenge alternates years between the Texas Motor Speedway, and the cross country road race. To learn more about the Solar Car Challenge visit their website at https://www.solarcarchallenge.org/challenge/ or check out their Facebook page for up to date race info.
Content and photos by Michele Robertson
