I am currently torn apart by the failure suffered by the team and I’ve decided to to fight this failure by fighting in Green’s name more aggresively. I do not know how yet but maybe finally joining Greenpeace officially.
News by AP on ASC 2003:
Solar-Powered Car Race Opens in Chicago
Mon Jul 14,10:39 AM ET
By DON BABWIN, Associated Press WriterCHICAGO – The grounds of the Museum of Science and Industry had the look of pit row on race day Sunday, but the cars crossing the starting line bore more than a passing resemblance to giant envelopes on wheels and their fuel comes from the sun, not the pump.
The American Solar Challenge started when a team from Kansas State University became the first from 20 U.S. and Canadian colleges to hit the road in a 2,300-mile race that will end in about 10 days in Claremont, Calif. Drivers will spend most of their time on the way to California on historic Route 66.
“The strategy is to go as fast as you can and look for potholes,” said John Blessing, a crew member for KSU’s car. “You really feel every pothole, that’s the truth.”
The race sponsored in part by the U.S. Department of Energy (news – web sites) features cars that were years and, in some cases, well over $100,000 in the making. Made of the lightest and strongest materials the students can find, including the Kevlar used to make bulletproof vests, the cars can weigh as little as 400 pounds, students said.
The cars’ sleek bodies rest just inches off the ground, allowing them to slice through the wind efficiently. The vehicles are powered by the 3,000 or so small solar cells that cover them.
They can easily travel over 50 mph and can climb past 70 mph under the right conditions, students said.
News from the American Solar Challenge by ACS 2003:
REPORTS FROM THE ROAD – July 11, 2003
Last year’s winner Michigan fails to qualify
By Richard King
U.S. Department of EnergyBURLINGTON, Wis., July 11, 2003 – Since I know a lot of you will be going home for the weekend soon, I wanted to share some breaking news.
The University of Michigan, last year’s winner and defending champion, did not pass scrutineering and is out of the race. The servomechanism that powered the steering failed and the car is unable to turn safely out of traffic.
Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal also did not pass scrutineering. That team’s car has stability problems and poor brakes.
As of 2:30 p.m. , teams are frantically driving laps as they try to complete the 140 miles (61 laps) necessary to qualify. Yale, McMaster, Iowa State, and Western Ontartio look “iffy” and might not make it.
I dedicated this post to the University of Michigan Solar Car Team.
We will come back stronger.p/s – Another one of my works published in the Mirror Project.
