MSU Solar Car Team Competes for First Time Ever in Cross-Country Challenge
July 18, 2012
For the first time in university history, a Michigan State University team competed in the American Solar Challenge (ASC) cross-country race.
The ASC is a competition in which collegiate teams design, build, and race solar-powered cars in a cross-country event. The Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP) is the three-day track-based qualifying portion of the event.
After five days of equipment modifications to meet electrical and mechanical requirements, the MSU team’s car, Brasidius, finally passed inspection and competed in the FSGP, the track-based event, on the third and final day of the competition. As the MSU team entered the track for the first time, they received a standing ovation from the other teams. They completed 50 laps, finishing 11th out of 15 teams, qualifying them for the 1,600-mile cross-country race. The MSU team also won the slalom event with the fastest time of 9.3 seconds.
The road race began on July 14 in Rochester, New York, and ends in St. Paul, Minnesota, July 21. Due to an electrical failure, the MSU team had to pull out during the first stage of the cross-country race.
“We started the cross-country race around 9:00 a.m. on Saturday,” says James Miller, the team’s project manager. “However, our motor controller broke down for a fourth time and we could not continue the competition.
“Although I am disappointed that we could not go further in the ASC 2012, I am glad we were able to push MSU Solar further than ever before. You can expect to see growing momentum by ASC 2014.”
Other team members are: Ethan Akerly, Hasan Alali, Alex Benson, Matt Beutler, Meng Cao, Daniel Howarth, Colin Monroe, Scott O'Connor, Miles Turrell, and Steve Zajac. Norbert Müller, associate professor of mechanical engineering, is the faculty adviser.
In May 2011, five members of the solar car team competed in the 2011 FSGP held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They completed 207 laps over two days, totaling 186.3 miles. They tied for 7th place with Western Michigan University, out of 10 teams.
The team has begun work on the design and construction of their new car. They plan to compete in the 2013 Formula Sun Grand Prix and the 2014 American Solar Challenge.