 | Solar Cars Stop in North Texas
7/30/2005 8:35 PM | | No - This one is gas powered! |
Borealis III Packs Alot of Aurora
July 17th of 2005 was a typical summer day in Weatherford, Texas. Hot, humid, and if you waited five minutes the weather would change.
Regardless of the element, or threat of potential of rain, they literally rolled in one by one, barely audible to the ear. School colors were the primary pallet for many of the entries.
The place was the parking lot of Weatherford College. The contest was the 2005 North American Solar Challenge. The contestants were teams from 20 different universities from the North American continent, eighteen of whom qualified to start the rayce in Austin, Texas. The finish line for their raycers is in Calgary, Canada. One of these teams was entered from our very own University of Minnesota. The entry name is Borealis III.
Team  | | Applying a little people power is required at times. |
member Josh says that the Borealis III road team consists of 18 members, with a total of 40 altogether. Josh also says that on a closed circuit the Borealis III is capable of traveling over 70 miles per hour. During the rayce (correct spelling), teams are not allowed to exceed 65 miles per hour. All teams travel public roads, and frequently end up being a tourist attraction on the road from other travelers. Many get out their camcorders or cameras to capture this unusual caravan of cars. From time to time, spectators have gotten in between the caravan. Not exactly appreciated by the contestants. It is a race, and gas powered vehicles do have more power and more weight. Safety is practiced by all teams.
Initial results bode well for the Borealis III team. The “Gophermobile” did arrive 2nd in Weatherford. We all hope that this is a good omen for the Maroon and Gold team. Though they are engineering students, on this team they are athletes showing their talents and skills as any driver or pit crew from NASCAR or Formula One. From Weatherford, they go on to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. They will wind their way northward with the finish line in Calgary, Canada.
We wish the Borealis III success and victory. To keep tabs on their journey and the rayce, please click on the following website: http://www.americansolarchallenge.org/
Harald Mallwitz
University of Minnesota Alumni Association, North Texas Chapter
P.S. Unfortunately the Gophermobile was beaten by (Oh No!) the Wolverines of Michigan! But a fine second place showing by the Maroon & Gold!
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