FORT WORTH - No pit stops needed for the cars racing around the track at the Texas Motor Speedway this week. Instead each one will be soaking up the sun!
Nineteen high school teams from around the country, including four teams from North Texas, will be competing this week in the 17th Annual Solar Car Challenge. This four-day challenge helps teach high school students how to plan, design, engineer, and race roadworthy solar cars.
By generating ideas through challenges such as this one, many students hope to lay the groundwork to make solar cars viable in the near future. These ideas and solar car models have also stirred interest in major automaker companies such as GM, Ford, and Chrysler - who are all trying to advance and improve their solar-auto technology. Solar cars could hit the roadways in the next decade.
Believe it or not, these solar-powered cars can hit speeds up to 80 miles per hour, but that would only get you about three minutes down the road. High speeds deplete the car's energy supply. Therefore, slow and steady may win the race!
The Solar Car Challenge takes place at the Texas Motor Speedway Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The public is welcome to come out to the race track and cheer on the teams!
E-mail ccoyle@wfaa.com
