SIUE Shines in Solar Car Challenge: A Spectacular Pit Stop with Innovation and Camaraderie

SIUE Shines in Solar Car Challenge: A Spectacular Pit Stop with Innovation and Camaraderie

July 23, 2024, 5:10 PM

The Electrek American Solar Car Challenge (ASC) made an exciting pit stop at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Sunday, July 22. More than a dozen cars participated in a seven-state endurance rally, and prior to their arrival on the SIUE campus students from SIUE School of Engineering had the opportunity to proudly showcase the innovative designs and functionality of the solar car and Cougar Baja vehicles during a live television report. As the ASC competitors and crowds began arriving throughout the day, students, staff and even Eddie the Cougar led a fun afternoon of food, deejay and games, while emphasizing the University's commitment to sustainable engineering solutions.

Watch KMOV First Alert 4's Alex Gaul interview Gail Lueck, ASC events and operations director, and fourth-year electrical engineering student Jakob Schoeberle here.

Kevin Davis, a parent of an Iowa State University freshman who participated in one of the many solar car teams, shared his enthusiasm for the event.

"We decided to follow the team from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and this stop at SIUE has been exceptional," said Davis. "The facilities here are fantastic, with bathrooms, shower facilities, and a hospitality tent for the kids. The SIUE students have been incredibly hospitable, and it's a great way for the community to engage with the University and other visiting schools. SIUE has truly knocked it out of the park today."

Catherine Tang, a rising senior at MIT and a member of their solar car team, expressed her excitement about the race and the collaborative spirit among the participants.

"This is my first time participating in the race, and it's amazing to see so many schools represented here," she said. "Our team has worked tirelessly for this moment. The planning process for our car began three years ago, and it's our first year competing in the multiple occupancy vehicle class. The support and camaraderie here at SIUE have been incredible."

The event provided a platform for engineering students from as far as Montréal, Quebec to travel seven U.S. national history trails and demonstrate their automotive skills matched by ingenuity and for the community to witness the cutting-edge advancements in solar-powered transportation.

The SIUE solar car is a past participant in ASC (2019) and looks forward to joining the Challenge with a new model in the future.

As the sun shone brightly, both the teams and spectators enjoyed perfect weather, food trucks and music from DJ Mixx making the SIUE stop a memorable highlight of the American Solar Car Challenge. Cem Karacal, PhD, Dean of the School of Engineering raised the green flag as the cars departed Monday morning for Jefferson City, Mo.

Watch a recap of ASC at SIUE here.

Coverage of ASC at SIUE was also seen in The Edwardsville Intelligencer and FarmWeekNow.

Photos by Howard Ash, recap video by Bikash Pokharel, article by SIUE communications graduate assistant Catherine Don