Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge

Infobox University

name = Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge
established = 1995
location = United States
website = www.winstonsolar.org/challenge

The Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge is an annual solar-powered car race for high school students. The race attracts teams from around the world, but mostly from American high schools. The race was first held in 1995. Each race is the end product of a two year education cycle launched by the Winston Solar Car Team. On odd-numbered years, the race is a road course that starts at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas; the end of the race varies from year to year. On even-numbered years, the race is a track race around the Texas Motor Speedway. Dell has sponsored the race since 2002. [cite web
url=http://www.winstonsolar.org/challenge/about.shtml
title=About the Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge
publisher=Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge (official website)
accessdate=2007-08-06]

The Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge is an annual solar-powered car race for high school students. The race attracts teams from around the world, but mostly from American high schools. The race was first held in 1995. Each race is the end product of a two year education cycle launched by the Winston Solar Car Team. On odd-numbered years, the race is a road course that starts at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas; the end of the race varies from year to year. On even-numbered years, the race is a track race around the Texas Motor Speedway. Dell has sponsored the race since 2002. [cite web
url=http://www.winstonsolar.org/challenge/about.shtml
title=About the Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge
publisher=Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge (official website)
accessdate=2007-08-06]

Objective

The objective of this competition is to motivate students in the sciences, engineering, and technology and to learn about solar power. They will design, fund, build, and run a vehicle that is powered only by solar power.

Important rules

*There are four divisions teams can be in. Classic, Open, Advanced, and Demonstration. Open Division allows more powerful solar arrays than Classic Division. Advanced Division allows for higher quality motors and solar panels. Classic and Demonstration Division limit solar arrays to terrestrial grade under 17%. The Demonstration Division allows for DWSSCC alumni to participate in the Challenge.
*Teams must pass a pre-race scrutineering of the car and team to be eligible to race.
*When there is a road race, all traffic regulations have to be followed. That includes speed limits, speeding results in a penalty of convert|5|mi|km to disqualification. When approaching a stop sign all vehicles are required to come to a complete stop at the stop sign, if the caravan get separated because of this they are to pull off at the first safe spot to regroup.
*Team may have as many drivers as they wish. There is no ballast requirements. Drivers must have valid license and pass a driver check course prior to race start.
*Driving begins at 0900 (local time) and teams are allowed to run for 8 hours. Start times are offset to allow for space between racers, but offset times still get 8 hours (example, start at 0915, end at 1715).
*At various points along the route there are rest stops where every car has to pause for a minimum amount of time. The amount of time required is "off-the-clock" (for the sake of calculating average speed).
*Batteries used to store solar power must be lead-acid. Also, the weight of all batteries combined cannot be more than convert|275|lb|kg. No provision is made to limit number of modules, number of cells, or voltages.
*Each solar car is required to have a dual braking system, operated by separate hand and/or foot pedals. Regenerative brakes do not count toward this requirement.

Media coverage

The 2007 Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge was featured on CNN affiliate KLTV. [cite video
people=Tracy Watler (reporter)
year=2007
date=July 18
url=http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2007/07/18/watler.solar.powered.cars.kltv
title=Racing on solar power
format=Flash
medium=television report
publisher=KLTV/CNN]

The 2008 Dell-Winsotn School Solar Car Challenge's Promo Video can be seen here. [cite video
year=2006
date=July 18
url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C-bi5iDdu8
title=Racing on solar power
format=Flash]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C-bi5iDdu8 Promo Video]

crutineering

*Scruitineering ensures that each Team is operating their car in a safe manor, is complying with the rules, and the team has built their car within the "Spirit of the Challenge".
*Scrutineering generally begins two days before the start of the Challenge. There are seven stations:
#General Requirements
#Electrical and Battery Requirements
#Tilt and Turning Radius Checks
#Vehicle Handling- Slalom
#Braking Tests
#Endurance Test
#Road Test

General Requirements

The General Station checks the solar car's physical dimensions, roll cage and roll bar, crush zones, seat belt, horn, visibility, and the student's involvement in the construction of the car.

Electrical and Battery Requirements

The Electrical Station ensures that the batteries (both main and supplemental) are securely mounted and electrically isolated from each other and the frame. This station also checks for battery and driver ventilation, labeling of "High Voltage," Array and Motor disconnects, and appropriate fuses. This station also checks for appropriate battery capacity and solar cell grade.

Tilt and Turning Radius Check

The Tilt and Turning Station is designed to check the solar car's ability to endure general driving requirements. The solar car must be tilted 20 degrees and not bend of buckle, in addition the solar car must have a turning radius of less than 15 meters.

lalom Test

The purpose of the Slalom Station is to determine whether the car will be able to safely avoid obstacles in the road with out the car collapsing under lateral forces and whether the drivers have the necessary skills to negotiate the slalom course (and therefore the roadway). Each driver is also required to demonstrate their ability to exit the vehicle in under 15 seconds.

Braking Tests

The Braking Station is to determine whether the vehicle and the driver are capable of stopping under real world conditions. Each vehicle must accelerate up to road speeds (the speed that they intend to drive the majority of the race) and then stop... quickly.

Endurance Test

The purpose of the Endurance Station is to determine whether the vehicle will be able to safely travel an extended distance, to determine if there i adequate communication between the solar car and the chase vehicle and to simulate a mechanical failure. The solar car will drive around the designated track, displaying its ability to drive an extended distance. At some point the solar car should pullover to the side of the road "simulating a breakdown," at such time the chase vehicle will load and then unload the solar car.

Road Test

The purpose of the Endurance Station is to determine whether the vehicle will be able to safely travel on an undivided highway with on-coming traffic. This Station is not applicable for closed track events.

Car Divisions

Classic Division

No hub motors allowed. Maximum efficiency of solar cells is 17%

Open Division

The Open Division allows the teams to implement more expensive technologies. Teams may use hub motors and solar cells more efficient than 17%. Solar cells may not cost more than $10/watt.

Advanced Division

The Advanced Division allows teams to implement new and upcoming technology. Prefabricated Molds and other battery types are allowed.

Demonstration Division

The Demonstration Diversion provides a venue for DWSSCC alumni to participate in this event.

Intern Program

There has been a long history of recruiting former solar car team members into the Intern program. Interns have come from teams from all over the USA and Mexico. The Interns work along side the Judges to help scrutinize the teams, Judge the teams during the Challenge, and act as spotters during the closed track event.

Previous Challenges

The cross country events have traditionally started in Texas (generally either Dallas or Round Rock) and ended in a number of different locations across the USA. Ending locations include Newburgh, New York.

ee also

Solar car racing

External links

* [http://www.winstonsolar.org/challenge/ Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge Home Page]

References