Team performs first road test
Brent Naylor
Issue date: 4/26/05 Section: News
The sun is shining on SIUE's Solar Race Team and its solar car, the Cougar Cruiser.
The Solar Race Team members have performed the first road test on the solar car for the 2005 North American Solar Challenge with positive results.
"The main objective of the test was to make sure the car's structural integrity is up to our expectations," electronic and computer engineering professor Andy Lozowski said. "We were pleased with the car's performance."
The road test measured the car's turn radius, stop distance and top speed. The North American Solar Challenge has standards for turn radius and stop distance that cars must meet to be in the competition. Cars
are tested for these standards by race officials in a process the North American Solar Challenge has termed "scrutineering."
Lozowski said the Cougar Cruisers' car will easily meet these standards when the team takes it to Topeka, Kan., for "scrutineering."
The test for top speed, while not required by North American Solar Challenge standards, is equally important to the team.
"We want to be able to get a speeding ticket on state routes," Lozowski said.
While the car tested at 48 mph without it's aerodynamic shell, Lozowski said he is confident the team can meet their goal.
The challenge is an annual 2,500-mile race for solar cars.
The team has put two semesters into building the car, which will be painted in SIUE red when it is completed.
"There will be a few logos on it, as well, to acknowledge local companies who contributed money, time or expertise to the car," Lozowski said. "We had a lot of help from them, as far as painting, body making, acquiring wires and other electrical components."
The North American Solar Challenge takes place in July.
The Solar Race Team members have performed the first road test on the solar car for the 2005 North American Solar Challenge with positive results.
"The main objective of the test was to make sure the car's structural integrity is up to our expectations," electronic and computer engineering professor Andy Lozowski said. "We were pleased with the car's performance."
The road test measured the car's turn radius, stop distance and top speed. The North American Solar Challenge has standards for turn radius and stop distance that cars must meet to be in the competition. Cars
are tested for these standards by race officials in a process the North American Solar Challenge has termed "scrutineering."
Lozowski said the Cougar Cruisers' car will easily meet these standards when the team takes it to Topeka, Kan., for "scrutineering."
The test for top speed, while not required by North American Solar Challenge standards, is equally important to the team.
"We want to be able to get a speeding ticket on state routes," Lozowski said.
While the car tested at 48 mph without it's aerodynamic shell, Lozowski said he is confident the team can meet their goal.
The challenge is an annual 2,500-mile race for solar cars.
The team has put two semesters into building the car, which will be painted in SIUE red when it is completed.
"There will be a few logos on it, as well, to acknowledge local companies who contributed money, time or expertise to the car," Lozowski said. "We had a lot of help from them, as far as painting, body making, acquiring wires and other electrical components."
The North American Solar Challenge takes place in July.
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