Solar Car Team Triumphs in 2021 American Solar Challenge

The small, but mighty Principia College solar car team overcame numerous obstacles to earn a place on the podium in the 2021 American Solar Challenge (ASC). The ASC—an endurance event that took place from July 27 to August 7—challenged teams through a “scrutineering” tech inspection and the Formula Sun Grand Prix before they could advance to the five-day cross-country road race.

Nine collegiate-level teams qualified in one of two classes: Single-Occupant Vehicle (SOV) and Multi-Occupant Vehicle (MOV). Principia, the smallest school to participate, was among seven SOV teams, including powerhouse research universities Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), and the University of California, Berkeley (Cal Berkeley).

Principia’s team spent two years designing, building, and testing RA XI—the 11th solar-powered vehicle in the team’s 30-year history. Students logged hundreds of hours in the College’s Engineering Makerspace, collaborating one-on-one with faculty members Dr. Marie Farson and team lead Brian Kamusinga.

Everyone is welcome to join the solar car team at Principia—unlike some of the larger schools where it is extremely competitive. As a chemist and proponent of “learning by doing,” Kamusinga, the faculty team lead, invites students from every major to join the solar car team. “It’s important to ensure there are multiple perspectives on the team,” he says.

This year’s race team consisted of seven students from varying majors and a recent alum—a smaller and more diverse group than the typical university team of 15–25 members. For decades, the solar car experience has proven to be career-making and life-changing for Principia students who take part.

Qualifying to Compete

Designing and assembling a solar car is a remarkable feat for any school, and passing the ASC’s rigorous “scrutineering” inspection is a real challenge (three teams didn’t pass). The detailed examination of mechanical and electrical components ensures the car is safe for a high-speed endurance race.

Some teams, such as Cal Berkeley, tweaked a vehicle they had used in previous races. Principia’s RA XI ran into current supply challenges and other obstacles that delayed its completion. The team worked 18-hour days fine-tuning the car throughout the scrutineering phase. The team labored for two days before obtaining approval to race with slightly faulty brakes, incurring a 20-miles-per-day penalty in the five-day race.

“It felt like we’d already won—by passing the scrutineering phase and qualifying for the Grand Prix. It was a major accomplishment,” team driver Chris Strong says.

Determined to prove RA XI on the track at the Formula Sun Grand Prix, the team completed 87 laps—nearly 205 miles—qualifying to compete in the road race.

College President John Williams joined the team for the race as well as the public display day where he enjoyed engaging with Principia alumni and fellow race car enthusiasts. President Williams and his wife, Missy, travelled with the team’s convoy, sharing daily updates and insights on the Principia solar car website.

From Last Position to the Platform

The 967-mile ASC route commemorates the bicentennial of the Santa Fe Trail from Independence, Missouri, to Las Vegas, New Mexico, incorporating a final loop through Santa Fe.

Due to the length of time it took to pass scrutineering, RA XI started in last position. Yet, within two hours of the starting flag, our team had raced to third position, overtaking Appalachian State University, the University of Minnesota, and Georgia Tech.

The following four days, RA XI exchanged positions with the leading race teams, traveling among everyday drivers along both rural roads and interstates.

Raton Pass, a battery-sucking climb to an elevation of 7,834 feet on the Colorado-New Mexico border, proved too steep for most teams. President Williams dubbed it the “Death Valley of solar cars.” He described cars crawling to the peak as their solar panels failed to process the scorching rays of the sun in the desert heat. Only two SOV cars made it to the top of the pass—MIT’s Nimbus and Principia’s RA XI.

The ASC prioritizes team placement by total miles completed. Although Principia came in second for both miles and time, the team placed third due to the scrutineering penalty. They joined MIT and the University of Kentucky on the podium—nine years after last reaching the platform.

Principia also received the Dick Roberto Mechanical Design Award for implementing vehicle innovations that progressed the sport.

Follow Principia’s solar car team on Instagram and Facebook as they prepare for their next race. And check out the video from team member Marc Trinidad (TriniFather Media).