The students at my university have entered the American Solar Challenge a number of times, and I was a co-advisor for them one year. It was clear that the cars were hideously dangerous and I dropped off the team after the race because I didn't want to be a part of what happened to the poor U of Toronto student.
A couple of examples: 1) street-legal cars have a good deal of crush space in front of the driver. In a solar car, *you* are the crush space. 2) These cars are ultra-light with virtually no aerodynamic down-force, because down-force adds drag. Wind from the front/rear/side makes these vehicles even lighter - they can literally come off the ground - and under windy conditions the already marginal steering and brakes can disappear altogether.
There are no technological benefits worth the risk to competitors of competing in the American Solar Challenge. The race should be abandoned.
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The students at my university have entered the American Solar Challenge a number of times, and I was a co-advisor for them one year. It was clear that the cars were hideously dangerous and I dropped off the team after the race because I didn't want to be a part of what happened to the poor U of Toronto student.
A couple of examples: 1) street-legal cars have a good deal of crush space in front of the driver. In a solar car, *you* are the crush space. 2) These cars are ultra-light with virtually no aerodynamic down-force, because down-force adds drag. Wind from the front/rear/side makes these vehicles even lighter - they can literally come off the ground - and under windy conditions the already marginal steering and brakes can disappear altogether.
There are no technological benefits worth the risk to competitors of competing in the American Solar Challenge. The race should be abandoned.