07-14-08

Iowa State solar car completes first day of cross-country race

AMES, Iowa -- Sol Invictus, Iowa State University's solar race car completed the first day of the 2,400-mile North American Solar Challenge. The Iowa State car drove155 miles from Plano, Texas,to Eufaula, Okla.

"We drove about 40 miles per hour almost the entire day," said Luke Martz, a member of Iowa State's Team PrISUm. "We did really well."

Sol Invictus 'first day on the road was not without challenges, however. Abrake adjustment issue caused a minor fender bender, resulting in slight damage to the car's shell. There were no injuries. Members of Team PrISUm were repairing the brake system Sunday evening, and Sol Invictus was expected to be ready to roll at 8 a.m. on Monday.

Fifteen cars are competing in the race, which ends July 22 in Calgary, Alberta Canada. The route takes the cars through Omaha, Neb., July 15-16, and Sioux Falls, S.D., July 16-18, crossing into western Iowa for about 30 miles north of Sioux City.

Iowa State started the race in the 15th position and moved up to 13th on Sunday. During the pre-race inspections, Sol Invictus passed all technical checks, but did not have time to complete all qualifying laps. Race officials allowed the Iowa State team to enter the race under two conditions: It must pass the first checkpoint (McAlester, Okla.) on time, and arriveat Neosho, Mo., on Monday afternoon. Team PrISUm satisfied the first condition Sunday, and is optimistic about completing the 130-mile journey to Neoshoon Monday, Martz said.

During qualifying laps, the car from Western Michigan University suffered irreparable damage. Iowa State's Team PrISUm invited members of the Western Michigan team to join them for the race. So far, Team PrISUm has "adopted" one student from Western Michigan.

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