The American Solar Challenge visits Barstow College

       

 

Americian Solar Challenge Logo

Barstow, CA
The American Solar Challenge (ASC) has chosen Barstow College as a staging stop during its cross-country race from Chicago to Claremont, CA. This journey has followed the historic Route 66 through grueling terrain and environments.

Barstow College Welcome the Solar Challenge

This race tests not only the mettle of the cars but also the drivers and support teams as well. During one of the hottest times of the year, these drivers have braved environments that would have destroyed lesser cars.

Image of Campus sign show 102 degrees

These cars are made to be very light and are only cooled by air moving around the chassis. These cars are streamlined and low to the ground, and there is little or no breeze in the driver’s cockpit. Higher than normal humidity, partly cloudy conditions, and a chance of thunderstorms will also challenge the solar teams this year.

Image of slim car profile

Image of another slim car profile

 The first ten teams to arrive at Barstow College were University of Missouri – Rolla, University of Minnesota, University of Waterloo, Principia College, Western Michigan University, University of Missouri – Columbia, Queen's University, Kansas State University, McGill University, and the University of Arizona.

Image of an arriving car

Image of an another arriving car

Barstow College, who played host to the challenge two years ago, was happy to see the race and teams return to Barstow. While the ASC is staying on campus, the college is providing the team members showers, sleeping areas, Internet access, team briefing areas and staging facilities for the repair and charging of the solar vehicles.

Image of solar cars charging their solar cells

Image of Solar team members using Internet stations

Barstow College is the last major staging stop prior to the dramatic final leg of the race, which ends in Claremont, CA. The teams will depart Barstow College at 9 a.m. on July 23. Each vehicle will proceed to Main Street to continue the race on Route 66.

The teams will follow the "Mother Road" through several desert communities on their way to the Cajon pass. Once the teams reach the mountain pass, they will have to steel their nerves as they begin down the dangerous trek through railroad switch-backs and fire-ravage hillsides. The droughts and fires of 2002 have left their mark on the surroundings.



 

Image of Solar team repairing a car

Image of an solar car charging

Image of pre-race final checkups

Image of an solar car staging area

Finally, the teams will reach the relative flatlands of San Bernardino near Foothill Boulevard. The teams will next follow this road to the finish line in Claremont.

Like the old song states, these solar powered teams are “Getting their kicks on Route 66.”

"Get Your Kicks On Route 66"
by Bobby Troupe
If you ever plan to motor west
Travel my way, take the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on Route 66.
It winds from Chicago to L.A.
More than 2,000 miles all the way
Get your kicks on Route 66.
You go through St. Louie, Joplin, Missouri
And Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty.
You'll see Amarillo, Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona, don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino.
Won't you get hip to this timely tip
When you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66.

Click this link to view each of the team’s cars.