ASC2003 Reports from the Road - July 11, 2003

Last year's winner Michigan fails to qualify

By Richard King U.S. Department of Energy

Photo contributed by Richard King

Teams make adjustments to their solar cars in the "pits" at the test track as they try to complete 140 miles in a day to qualify for the 2003 American Solar Challenge.

BURLINGTON, Wis., July 11, 2003 - Since I know a lot of you will be going home for the weekend soon, I wanted to share some breaking news.

The University of Michigan, last year's winner and defending champion, did not pass scrutineering and is out of the race. The servomechanism that powered the steering failed and the car is unable to turn safely out of traffic.

École Polytechnique de Montreal also did not pass scrutineering. That team's car has stability problems and poor brakes.

As of 2:30 p.m. , teams are frantically driving laps as they try to complete the 140 miles (61 laps) necessary to qualify. Yale, McMaster, Iowa State, and Western Ontartio look "iffy" and might not make it.

REPORTS FROM THE ROAD