Solar Car Challenge

Last updated

Solar Car Challenge
Solar Car Challenge
VenueTexas Motor Speedway (even years) [1] [2]
Cross-country (odd years) [2]
Location United States
First race1995

The Solar Car Challenge is an annual solar-powered car race organized in Texas for high school students. The event attracts teams from around the world, [1] but mostly from American high schools. Originating as a class competition held in 1989, [2] the first official race was held in 1995. Each event is the end product of a two-year education cycle [3] organized by the Solar Car Challenge Foundation, a non-profit. [4] The venue of the race typically alternates annually between being cross-country races which start at the Texas Motor Speedway and track races taking place solely at the speedway. [2] Currently, this means that track races take place on even years and cross-country races on odd years, but occasionally consecutive track races are held which disrupt this pattern. [5]

Contents

History

End of the 2010 Cross Country Race at the University of Colorado 8day25-1.jpg
End of the 2010 Cross Country Race at the University of Colorado

The Solar Car Challenge is an educational program aimed at engaging high school students in designing, building, and racing solar-powered vehicles. Established in 1989 by Dr. Lehman Marks, the challenge promotes science, engineering, technology, and green energy solutions among youth. [6] Originally a classroom project, it has grown into a national competition featuring closed-track races at the Texas Motor Speedway and cross-country races across the U.S. [7] The event collaborates with organizations supporting STEM education and renewable energy. [8]

Solar cars racing on the track at the Texas Motor Speedway. Closed Track Race 2009.jpg
Solar cars racing on the track at the Texas Motor Speedway.
Media of Dell-Winston Solar Challenge, now Hunt-Winston Solar Challenge.jpg

The 2007 The Solar Car Challenge was featured on CNN affiliate KLTV. [9] The Solar Car Challenge was named one of America's 10 most innovative education programs by Business Wire in 2003.

On July 2025, The Solar Car Challenge had their 32nd annual Solar Car Challenge at the Texas Motor Speedway. [10]

Organization


See also

References

  1. 1 2 Geisel, Hunter (July 7, 2024). "South Florida high school students head to Texas Motor Speedway to race solar-powered cars". CBS News Miami. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Walker, Noelle (April 15, 2024). "Solar Car Challenge Foundation shows how NBCU Local Impact Grant made a difference". NBC Dallas Fort Worth. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  3. ↑ Maugeri, Steve (July 30, 2024). "South Florida high school students shine at Texas competition with solar powered car" . Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Solar Car Challenge Foundation". ProPublica. Archived from the original on September 2, 2025. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  5. ↑ "History of Solar Car Racing and the Solar Car Challenge" . Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Solar Car Challenge - SolarCarChallenge - High School Solar". www.solarcarchallenge.org. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Solar Car Challenge - About the Solar Car Challenge". www.solarcarchallenge.org. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Dr. Lehman Marks | Texas Solar Energy Society" . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  9. ↑ Tracy Watler (reporter) (July 18, 2007). Racing on solar power (Flash) (television report). KLTV/CNN.
  10. ↑ Presswire, EIN (June 26, 2025). "Solar Car Challenge Brings Teens from Across U.S. to DFW for Epic Race". CBS 42. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
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