WMU team says here comes the Sunseeker

WMU's solar race car team is in Texas readying the Sunseeker for a round of qualifying events.

The new Sunseeker has been in development for 18 months. It is lighter and more aerodynamic than previous WMU racers, weighing in at about 650 pounds with the driver on board.

This year's race marks the 10th time WMU students have participated in the biennial American Solar Challenge race that draws the best engineering schools from the United States and Canada.

WMU solar powered vehicles have placed as high as sixth and captured best design awards in post-race ceremonies. WMU is one of only four teams in North America to have participated in all nine previous races.

A team of 10 engineering students and two advisors from WMU are now in Cresson Texas for the American Solar Challenge qualifying events -- four days set aside for the evaluation of  all the vehicle systems and the Formula Sun Grand Prix track race, June 16-18, to ensure the vehicles are up to the demands of the road trip.

This year,  competitors will race for 1,100 miles through four states on a course chosen to include pieces of routes used in previous events in a historical tribute to the 20 years of organized solar racing events in North America. The cross-country road race will start June 20 in Tulsa, Okla., and conclude June 26 in Chicago.

Race updates are available online. The team also has its own Facebook page.

The event offers students a chance to apply classroom knowledge to a hands-on project that culminates in a test of the efficiency, safety and durability of the solar vehicles. The teams also promote the use of renewable alternative energy and the advancement of related technologies by educating the public through the presentation and demonstration of a solar powered vehicle.

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Cheryl Roland, WMU