ASC 2021: one month to go

It is now just over a month until the start of scrutineering in the American Solar Challenge (27 July in Topeka, KS). I have updated my teams list with facts and pictures. As always, the documentation submission progress score gives an idea of which teams are in a good position (most of them, fortunately). A low score indicates that a team, considered as a socio-technical system, is operating in a highly stressed mode. In addition, if a team is building a car without official feedback on design documents, there is an increased chance of failing scrutineering (unless the team has considerable experience with prior ASC events).

There are 15 teams still registered for the race, although I do not expect the Egyptians to attend, and probably not the Taiwanese either. Of the remaining teams, 5 teams (Kentucky 3, Illinois State 17, Missouri S&T 42, Georgia Tech 49, and App State 828) will be racing veteran cars – although with various improvements – and the Brizo of Illini 22 is done. Of the 7 remaining teams building new cars, the Nimbus of MIT 4 is also done:

Nimbus on the track (credit)

In addition, PrISUm 9 have revealed their attractive-looking Cruiser Eliana:

The reveal of Eliana (credit)

Also, Principia 32 is making progress on their Ra XI :

Ra XI aerobody with vinyl wrap (credit)

Western Michigan 30 and Kansas 785 are also still busy with construction, the Freya I of UMNSVP 35 has a rolling chassis and aerobody, and North Carolina 99 is continuing their experiment of gutting a commercial ICE vehicle and turning it into a solar-powered Cruiser. Good luck, one and all!

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