In 1999, the Missouri S&T Solar Car Team took first place in Sunrayce, now known as the American Solar Challenge. The course started in Washington, D.C., and ended in Orlando, Florida, and stands out in the record books due to the lack of sunshine. Solar Miner II completed the race in just over 56 hours and averaged 25.3 miles per hour.
The first American Solar Challenge race was organized and sponsored by General Motors in 1990 to promote automotive engineering and solar energy among college students. At the time, GM had just won the inaugural World Solar Challenge in Australia in 1987 and they chose to sponsor collegiate events instead of continuing to race.
The Missouri S&T Solar Car Team also won first place at the American Solar Challenge in 2003. Solar Miner IV completed the course in a little over 50 hours.
Share This Story
Spark a Memory?
Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).
David and Karen (Miller) Sorrell
In the spring semester of 1979, David Sorrell was looking for an “easy A” during his senior year at Missouri…
Movie magic
The technology used to create Davy Jones from “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” and characters from other films…
Alyssa Purdy and Ryon Owings
Alyssa Purdy and Ryon Owings met during Opening Week in August 2014. Both lived in TJ Hall’s north tower –…
Arden Hawley and Alex Richter
Arden Hawley met Alex Richter in August 2015 after her roommate joined KMNR, where he was a DJ. “She introduced…
Paula Lutz: leading on a male-dominated campus
Paula Lutz, who earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a life science preference from UMR in 1976...
Erica (Walker) and Ryan Long
Erica (Walker) and Ryan Long met during her move-in day her freshman year in August 1998 when he delivered cookies…