Solar car race heads through Oklahoma

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Published: July 14, 2008

TULSA -- A group of 15 solar-powered cars raced through Oklahoma on a cross-country trek that will end in Canada.
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Featuring teams of 20 that include pit crew, medics, business managers and alternate drivers, competitors in the North American Solar Challenge set out from the Dallas area on Sunday and made their first pit stop at Eastern Oklahoma State College in McAlester.

Nick Simon, a junior at the University of Minnesota, was the first driver to arrive at the checkpoint.

"It feels great to be here," said Simon, who is studying aerospace.

Engineering students from colleges around the world participate in the 2,400-mile race, which is expected to end July 22 in Calgary, Canada. Racers were due to stop overnight Monday in Neosho, Mo., before heading toward another checkpoint Tuesday in Topeka, Kan.

Drivers are required to obey state speed and traffic laws, and the one-person cars are followed by two vans that monitor them. Cars spend about 30 minutes at each pit stop to change drivers and tires. Time penalties are assessed at the checkpoints for any rules or laws that were broken, said Dan Saulsberry, a representative for the challenge.

Paul Hirtz, a checkpoint staff member and car inspector, said the challenge offers a unique opportunity for students to use classroom knowledge in the real world.

"In the classroom, there are set problems with set answers," Hirtz said. "In these types of events, there are so many factors that play into the race."

Hirtz said the cars typically take two years to design and build and can cost thousands of dollars. Competitors must pass a pre-race safety inspection on a grand prix race track in Texas before being allowed to enter.

"I always think about my safety," Simon said. "We're pretty safe, but I still get worried sometimes."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.

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Comments

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A big chunk of sponsorship money comes from the Auto Manufacturers. What I don't understand is why isn't this money being put to use on a practical scale?
Russell, Oklahoma City - Jul 15, 2008 10:09 AM
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I don't believe we're spending money on these solar cars. It's more or less funded from student tuition at University engineering departments (or by sponsorship from companies). You teach students how to build solar cars, they learn from trial and error, professors get to inspire a new generation, and we get free entertainment when they drive by. Everyone wins!
Scott, Norman - Jul 14, 2008 4:00 PM
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Cassie, I may appear negative to those who do not think realistically. As I said earlier, (this will be the second time I have said it) I am for solar energy. I think it's a great technology that can be applied to almost anything. The next generation Prius will have the option of having solar panels embedded in the roof to run the HVAC system when the vehicle is running in the electrical mode of the Duel-Mode Hybrid configuration. What I do not understand, however, is why are we not applying this solar technology on a real world, consumer driven application? Sure, we have been building solar power cars for almost three decades now. But where has that technology filtered down to something you can buy at your local car dealership? The aforementioned Prius is the first wide application of solar technology/propulsion in an automotive sense. I say, stop spending money on racing solar cars, and start applying it to real world people like you and me.
Russell, Oklahoma City - Jul 14, 2008 2:41 PM
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AWESOME! I think it is great that they are experimenting and trying out some things that may later be used to preserve the fuel resources and help the economy! Russell is just about as negative as they come, there is hardly a thought that he posts on any of these articles that is ever positive. Does it really bother you that much that you cannot run down the side of the interstate? Why would you want to if you could without having a direct cause or purpose such as carrying the Olympic Torch? Trivial..
Cassie, Moore - Jul 14, 2008 1:53 PM
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I passed one of these teams, from Oregon State University, on my way from Dallas to Tulsa yesterday. Their little caravan of support vehicles did cause some momentary congestion, as the thing was going only about 25 mph on highway 75/69 (it wasn't very sunny at the time). As long as they get off the road before it gets close to dark, they probably pose only a minor irritation in the trip rather than a real hazard, so long as other drivers are paying any attention at all.
A, Tulsa - Jul 14, 2008 1:41 PM
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Michael, I am in favor of that. If I cannot run down the side of the interstate, the Olympic torch shouldn't either.
Russell, Oklahoma City - Jul 14, 2008 12:53 PM
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Can we also argue about how the olympic torch should never be allowed to be carried cross country on our hiways since pedestrian traffic is not allowed on most of them?
michael, shawnee - Jul 14, 2008 12:27 PM
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Well Bryan, you somewhat answered my question. Is that how the insurance covers these vehicles, by classifying them as bicycles or mopeds?
Russell, Oklahoma City - Jul 14, 2008 12:03 PM
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These vehicles are not for sale for public use. Most would be classified as a bycicle or moped at best. I guarantee that if you had your head so far where it didn't belong that you hit one of them, they would fare far worse than you.
Bryan, Oklahoma City - Jul 14, 2008 11:59 AM
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Chris from Dallas, why do you think that? Because I am questioning the legality of these vehicles? I'm all for solar power, don't get me wrong, but what is the difference between these solar cars driving on the road vs. a Ford GT Mk IV driving on I-40?
Russell, Oklahoma City - Jul 14, 2008 11:50 AM
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Russell, get a life. Seriously.
Chris, Dallas - Jul 14, 2008 11:32 AM
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I am pretty sure these vehicles are not subjected to the extensive crash testing and safety regulations put forth on every other vehicle on the road. These solar vehicles possess no airbags, but do contain a five-point safety harness. They do not meet the NHTSA specified 5-MPH bumper ratings or the 40 MPH offset crash test. Compared to a typical 4-door sedan, these vehicles are less safe. I am curious as to how they are allowed to drive legally on public roads.
Russell, Oklahoma City - Jul 14, 2008 11:02 AM
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I wouldn't be surprised if these cars exceed safety ratings in some cases. Anyway, who cares. They're at least as safe a bicycles.
Grant, Edmond - Jul 14, 2008 10:46 AM
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How are these vehicles traveling legally on the roads when they have not met IIHS and NHTSA safety ratings?
Russell, Oklahoma City - Jul 14, 2008 10:15 AM
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