Results of the ASC 2022 Road Race

Wrapping up the American Solar Challenge, the chart above shows the final official distances. The chart places optional “loops” driven at the end of each stage, even mid-stage loops. At the bottom of each bar is the final placing, with a star marking MOV (Cruiser) cars. The notation “(Tr)” identifies cars that trailered or were deemed to have trailered.

Below is a logarithmic visualisation of the MOV (Cruiser) scoring. The final score (last bar in each group) is the product (visually, the sum, since the chart uses logarithms) of seven factors:

• The distance driven d (in miles)
• The distance driven with penalties d’ (in miles)
• The average number of people p in the car
• The reciprocal of the total external energy usage E (in kWh)
• The practicality score P (out of 100)
• The speed derating T (1/70.86 = 0.014 for AppState)
• In grey, the reciprocal h of 171,780 (the longest distance driven, times 100)

This is equivalent to the way that the scores are broken down officially (since C = d’/1717.8 and D = d×p).

The final score for AppState is 1/4.2 = 0.24, as in the official results. Esteban (Poly Montreal) achieved the highest score through low total external energy usage, but was demoted to third place after missing a turnoff early in the race, which prompted this retrospective modification to regulation 12.11.C:

“Any team leaving the tour route must rejoin the route at the same intersection where they left the route or they will be considered to have trailered from their last completed route step before going off route. Their Load On Trailer Time will be the time that they went off route.”

PrISUm (Iowa State University) was forced to withdraw early on due to electrical issues, so scores 4^th in the MOV (Cruiser) class.

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Challenges in the ASC 2022 Road Race

True to the name, there have been some challenges in the American Solar Challenge now taking place. On the first stage, Esteban (Poly Montreal) missed a turnoff, prompting this modification to regulation 12.11.C:

“Any team leaving the tour route must rejoin the route at the same intersection where they left the route or they will be considered to have trailered from their last completed route step before going off route. Their Load On Trailer Time will be the time that they went off route.”

PrISUm (Iowa State University) was forced to withdraw early on due to electrical issues

“Unfortunately things did no go as planned for PrISUm. Due to safety concerns for both the car and our team, we did not want to drive the car any farther. It is unfortunate that there was an electrical issue, which is hard to quickly and safely fix on race. We are very proud of our team performance at FSGP, compared to the last couple of years. Thank you to everyone for all of your support and following us throughout our journey.”

Canadian team Éclipse (ÉTS) had a major crisis on stage 2:

“On our 2nd loop in the city of Casper, our topshell detached from the vehicle; no injuries. The damage from this incident to the vehicle is not minor, but we worked very hard to get it back on the road! Thank you to all who helped!

Solar panels replaced, topshell corner redone in carbon fiber wet layup, tightened security attachments, lights picked up, stronger canopy, MPPTs repaired and even two flat tires all under 24h our convoy made it to time at stagepoint #2 in Lander, Wyoming just minutes from closing! The vehicle is in shape, today we are driving to Montpellier, Idaho.”

Illini (University of Illinois) had a narrow miss on the same stage:

“Today on our way to Lander, the team and Brizo faced a very near collision. As the convoy was waiting to turn left along the route, a semi lost control and tried to swerve around a pickup in front. The semi crashed a few feet from Brizo and the pickup truck landed mere inches from our chase car. Thankfully the entire team and Brizo were unharmed. However due to lost time, we had to trailer part of the second stage. Tonight we arrived in Lander and are ready for the rest of the American Solar Challenge.”

Official times for the first two stages are summarised in the chart below. The chart places optional “loops” driven at the end of each stage, even mid-stage loops. MIT leads the SOV/Challenger class, followed by Principia and Kentucky. The MOV/Cruiser scoring system is more complex, and only distances are shown here. However, Minnesota does appear to be ahead.

Latest news had most solar cars arriving at the Montpelier, Idaho checkpoint (including AppState and, I believe, Berkeley):

Follow the remainder of the race with the ASC car tracker (or just the dashboard). You can also check out the official ASC social media at        (click on the icons).

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ASC 2022 Road Race Team Photo

Above is the official American Solar Challenge team photo (slightly cropped). From left to right, the teams are:

• 32. Principia Solar Car Team
• 35. University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project ★
• 4. MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team
• 3. Kentucky
• 55. Esteban (Poly Montreal) ★
• 6. UC Berkeley Solar Vehicle Team (CalSol)
• 22. Illini (University of Illinois)
• 9. PrISUm (Iowa State University) ★
• 828. Appalachian State University (Sunergy) ★
• 101. Éclipse – Véhicule solaire de l’ÉTS

Stars (★) mark cars in the MOV (Cruiser) class.

Follow the race with the ASC car tracker (or just the dashboard). You can also check out the official ASC social media at        (click on the icons).

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FSGP 2022 Results

Final lap counts for the Formula Sun Grand Prix in Topeka, Kansas. The winner in the SOV (Challenger) class is Principia, followed by MIT and Kentucky. The winner, on points, of the MOV (Cruiser) class is Esteban (Poly Montreal), followed by University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project and Calgary. Click the link for official results.

Racing continues with the American Solar Challenge, as 10 solar cars drive the Oregon Trail from Missouri as far as Idaho.

Below is a logarithmic visualisation of the MOV (Cruiser) scoring. The final score (last bar in each group) is the product (visually, the sum, since the chart uses logarithms) of six factors:

• The distance driven (in miles)
• The distance driven (in miles, with penalties)
• The average number of people in the car (always 2 in this race)
• The reciprocal of the total external energy usage (in kWh)
• The speed derating (not a factor in this race)
• The reciprocal of 738 (the longest distance driven)

Esteban (Poly Montreal) won the race on total external energy usage, doing no external charging during the race:

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ASC 2022 Teams

The American Solar Challenge is on again this year, with scrutineering beginning on 1 July. Here is a list of the 21 teams (14 Challenger/SOV cars and 7 Cruiser/MOV cars) from 2 countries registered for the race. Regular attendees Missouri S&T, Northwestern, SIUE, Sunstang, and Waterloo are not registered, nor are WSC stalwarts Michigan, Blue Sky, or Stanford. The Blue Sky team from Toronto (with their new car Borealis) has very sadly pulled out. Teams are sorted in team number order and, as always, you can click the social media links, and click images to zoom. You can also check out the official ASC social media at        (click on the icons).

Teams this year are 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 17, 22, 26, 32, 35, 49, 55, 65, 87, 99, 101, 785, 786, and 828. Of these, 11 teams are only intending to attend the track race (FSGP). A total of 19 teams have qualified for the track race so far (UT and Mich St have not qualified yet). All teams intending to join the road race (ASC) have also qualified for that.

3    Kentucky 

Symmetric challenger (Gato del Sol VI) – I understand that they are racing their existing car. They have qualified for the track race (position 5) and for the road race (ASC).

Previously, Kentucky came 14^th at FSGP 14; came 10^th at FSGP 15; came 12^th at ASC 16; came 7^th at FSGP 17; came 3^rd at FSGP 19; and came 2^nd at ASC 21.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

4    MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team 

Asymmetric challenger (Nimbus) – I understand that they are racing their existing car. They have qualified for the track race (position 3) and for the road race (ASC).

Previously, MIT came 23^rd at WSC 15; came 12^th at FSGP 14; came 5^th at ASC 18; and won ASC 21.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

5    University of Florida (Solar Gators) 

Monohull challenger (new car: Sunrider) – they seem to have had some trouble. They are only intending to attend the track race (FSGP). They have qualified for the track race (position 18).

Previously, Florida came equal 15^th at FSGP 17; came 10^th at FSGP 18; and came 8^th at FSGP 19.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

6    UC Berkeley Solar Vehicle Team (CalSol) 

Symmetric challenger (Excalibur) – they raced in Australia as number 66: read about their Australian adventures here. They have qualified for the track race (position 8) and for the road race (ASC).

Previously, CalSol participated in the WSC 19 Cruiser class; came 15^th at FSGP 14; came 7^th at FSGP 15; came 9^th at ASC 16; won FSGP 17; came 6^th at ASC 18; came 2^nd in the FSGP 19 Cruiser class; and came 6^th at ASC 21.

 
Left: Anthony Dekker / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

8    UT Austin 

Monohull challenger (new car: Lone Star ) – they seem to have had some trouble. They are only intending to attend the track race (FSGP). They have not yet qualified for the track race.

Previously, UT came 9^th at ASC 14; came 6^th at FSGP 15; and came 9^th at FSGP 17.

picture credit (click image to zoom – OLD PIC)

9    PrISUm (Iowa State University) 

Two-seat cruiser (Eliana) – they ran a friendly Midwest Solar Challenge in May. They have qualified for the track race (position 7) and for the road race (ASC).

Previously, PrISUm participated in the WSC 17 Cruiser class; came 3^rd at ASC 14; won FSGP 15; came 7^th at ASC 16; came 5^th in the FSGP 18 Cruiser class; and came 3^rd in the FSGP 21 Cruiser class.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

13    Michigan State 

Two-seat cruiser (Aurora) – I understand that they are racing their existing car. They are only intending to attend the track race (FSGP). They have not yet qualified for the track race.

Previously, Mich St came equal 15^th at FSGP 17.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

17    Illinois State 

Symmetric challenger (Mercury 6) – I understand that they are racing their existing car. They are only intending to attend the track race (FSGP). They have qualified for the track race (position 13).

Previously, Illinois St came equal 16^th at FSGP 14; came 3^rd at FSGP 15; came 11^th at ASC 16; came 5^th at FSGP 17; came 12^th at FSGP 18; came 7^th at FSGP 19; came 7^th at ASC 21; and came 13^th at Abu Dhabi 15.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

22    Illini (University of Illinois) 

Monohull challenger (Brizo) – I understand that they are racing their existing car. They have qualified for the track race (position 1) and for the road race (ASC).

Previously, Illini participated in the WSC 17 Adventure class; came 7^th at ASC 18; came 4^th at FSGP 19; and came 4^th at ASC 21. Their team number (22) is a tradition since 1995.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

26    University of British Columbia 

Monohull challenger (new car: Daybreak) – they have made good progress with their new car. They are only intending to attend the track race (FSGP). They have qualified for the track race (position 16).

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

32    Principia Solar Car Team 

Asymmetric challenger (Ra XI) – I understand that they are racing their existing car. They have qualified for the track race (position 12) and for the road race (ASC).

Previously, Principia came 17^th at WSC 15; participated at WSC 17; came 5^th at ASC 14; came 5^th at FSGP 15; came 5^th at ASC 16; came 13^th at FSGP 17; came 2^nd at FSGP 19; came 3^rd at ASC 21; and came 6^th at Abu Dhabi 15.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

35    University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project 

Four-seat cruiser (Freya) – they are America’s Cruiser class pioneers. With their impressive record, they are probably the Cruiser class favourites. They ran a friendly Midwest Solar Challenge in May. They have qualified for the track race (position 2) and for the road race (ASC).

Previously, Minnesota came 4^th in the WSC 13 Cruiser class; came 5^th in the WSC 15 Cruiser class; participated in the WSC 17 Cruiser class; came 5^th in the WSC 19 Cruiser class; came 2^nd at ASC 14; came equal 10^th at ASC 16; came equal 2^nd in the ASC 18 Cruiser class; and came 2^nd in the ASC 21 Cruiser class. Their team number (35) is derived from the Interstate 35 highway.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

49    Georgia Tech 

Monohull challenger (Endurance) – I understand that they are racing their existing car. They are only intending to attend the track race (FSGP). They have qualified for the track race (position 6).

Previously, Ga Tech came 13^th at FSGP 15; came 17^th at FSGP 16; came 6^th at FSGP 17; came 8^th at ASC 18; came 9^th at FSGP 19; and came 5^th at ASC 21. Their team number (49) is taken from STS-49, the maiden flight of the space shuttle Endeavour (which was the name of their first car).

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

55    Esteban (Poly Montreal) 

Two-seat cruiser (Esteban 10) – they have transitioned to the Cruiser (MOV) class. They have qualified for the track race (position 4) and for the road race (ASC).

Previously, Esteban came 4^th at ASC 14; came 2^nd at FSGP 15; came equal 10^th at ASC 16; came 3^rd at FSGP 17; came 4^th at ASC 18; and won FSGP 19. Their team number (55) is the year that Western Electric began to sell licenses for silicon PV technology.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

65    University of Calgary 

Two-seat cruiser (Schulich Elysia) – I understand that they are racing their existing car. They are only intending to attend the track race (FSGP). They have qualified for the track race (position 11).

Previously, Calgary came 8^th in the WSC 13 Cruiser class; came 9^th at FSGP 15; and won the FSGP 19 Cruiser class.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

87    University of Virginia 

Monohull challenger (new car: Rivanna 2) – they are finally fielding a car, I am glad to say. They are only intending to attend the track race (FSGP). They have qualified for the track race (position 17).

picture credit (click image to zoom)

99    North Carolina State University (SolarPack) 

Two-seat cruiser (SPX) – this team will race their modified commercial ICE vehicle. They are only intending to attend the track race (FSGP). They have qualified for the track race (position 15).

Previously, NCSU came 4^th in the FSGP 21 Cruiser class.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

101    Éclipse – Véhicule solaire de l’ÉTS 

Asymmetric challenger (Éclipse 10) – they raced in Australia in 2019 as number 92, finishing 2^nd among North American teams. They have qualified for the track race (position 14) and for the road race (ASC).

Previously, Eclipse came 18^th at WSC 13; came 9^th at WSC 19; came 10^th at ASC 14; came 8^th at ASC 16; came 4^th at FSGP 17; and came 3^rd at ASC 18.

 
Left: credit / Right: Anthony Dekker (click images to zoom)

785    KU Solar Car 

Monohull challenger (new car: Astra) – their monohull design is 1.3 m wide. They are only intending to attend the track race (FSGP). They have qualified for the track race (position 19). Their team number (785) is the telephone area code for northern Kansas.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

786    Western Michigan (Sunseeker) 

Asymmetric challenger (Aethon) – I understand that they are racing their existing car. They are only intending to attend the track race (FSGP). They have qualified for the track race (position 9).

Previously, W Mich came 7^th at ASC 14; came 14^th at FSGP 17; came 9^th at ASC 18; came 5^th at FSGP 19; and came 8^th at FSGP 21. Their team number (786) is the sequence of digits for S-U-N on old phones (but last year they raced as 30).

photo: WMU team (click image to zoom)

828    Appalachian State University (Sunergy) 

Two-seat cruiser (ROSE) – this team has a fantastic, well-tested car. They have qualified for the track race (position 10) and for the road race (ASC).

Previously, AppState came 6^th at ASC 16; came 2^nd at FSGP 17; came equal 2^nd in the ASC 18 Cruiser class; and won the ASC 21 Cruiser class. Their team number (828) is the telephone area code for western North Carolina.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

This page last updated 09:07 on 8 July 2022 AEST.

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American Solar Challenge 2022

The American Solar Challenge is on again this year, with scrutineering beginning on 1 July. It looks to be a great event! See the image for details (click to zoom).

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ASC 2021: road race, final day

Today sees the end of the American Solar Challenge. Above (click to zoom) are the final SOV standings, in New Mexico flag colours. MIT won, followed by Kentucky and Principia (Principia would have come second, were it not for some fairly stiff penalties given during scrutineering for minor regulation non-compliance).

Teams marked with a dot were forced to trailer at some point, and hence score lower. The optional “loops” driven are marked at the end of each stage (even the La Junta loop, which occurred in the middle of Stage 2). In the MOV class (not shown), Minnesota ran into problems, making App State the winners – their mountain-built car having taken all the passes in its stride.

Note: this chart reflect minor recent updates to the official Stage 2 numbers. The chart posted yesterday is therefore very slightly out of date.

The last day of the race was a short drive from Las Vegas, NM to Santa Fe, NM and back, across the Glorieta Pass through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (easier than the Raton Pass). Above (click to zoom) is a day in the life of Illini according to the GPS tracker. Elevation data is from the tracker, so the elevation profile is slightly incorrect where the tracker cut out.

The chart above (click to zoom) shows MOV practicality scores. Black stars indicate final ASC placing (App State won the class). PrISUm did not qualify for the road race, but came third at FSGP.

Below (click to zoom) are some memories of the route (photos are from the ASC and the teams).

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ASC 2021: road race, Day 4

Today sees the end of Day 4 and Stage 2 of the American Solar Challenge. Above (click to zoom) are the SOV standings at the end of Day 4, in Colorado flag colours. MIT leads, followed by Principia and Kentucky. Teams in red were forced to trailer at some point, and hence score lower. The optional “loops” driven are marked at the end of each stage (even the La Junta loop, which occurred in the middle of Stage 2). In the MOV class (not shown), Minnesota ran into problems, leaving App State in the lead. There is one short day of racing still to go.

Kentucky at Fort Union National Monument (credit)

Above (click to zoom) is the Gato del Sol VI of Kentucky visiting Fort Union National Monument. Marion Sloan Russell, who travelled the Santa Fe Trail multiple times, was an “army wife” there for some time. In her memoir, Land of Enchantment, she writes about revisiting the site:

“At Fort Union I found crumbling walls and tottering chimneys. Here and there a tottering adobe wall where once a mighty howitzer had stood. Great rooms stood roofless, their whitewashed walls open to the sky. Wild gourd vines grew inside the officers’ quarters. Rabbits scurried before my questing feet. The little guard house alone stood intact, mute witness of the punishment inflicted there. The Stars and Stripes was gone. Among a heap of rubble I found the ruins of the little chapel where I had stood—a demure, little bride in a velvet cape—and heard a preacher say, ‘That which God hath joined together let no man put asunder.’”

Fort Union in 2006 (credit: Scott)

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ASC 2021: road race, Raton Pass

The American Solar Challenge has reached the 7,840 ft (2,390 m) Raton Pass. The updated chart above shows my best estimate of the current state of play in the SOV class. MIT has climbed the pass, as has Principia (and App State in the MOV class).

The Pass is tough, climbing 558 m in 22 km (2.5%), with a maximum grade of 6% on the steepest sections. Marion Sloan Russell, in her memoir Land of Enchantment, writes:

“Breaking camp while it was still early, our cavalcade began the steep and tortuous ascent of the Raton Pass. Today we glide easily over hairpin curves that in 1860 meant broken axles and crippled horses. The trail was a faint wheel mark winding in and out over fallen trees and huge boulders.”

Principia’s Ra XI climbs the Raton Pass (credit: PrinSolar)

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ASC 2021: what about MOV cars?

I have been asked about covering the Cruiser (MOV) cars this year. As the ASC photo above shows, Minnesota was the first team into La Junta (at 18:23:47 MDT). Cruiser (MOV) scoring is complex, but it’s mostly a complicated nonlinear function of speed. External energy usage, number of people in the car, and penalties also have an effect, but they are minor.

The chart below is an attempt to visualise who is ahead (I may not have gotten it quite right). For each team and day, there is a group of 4 bars. Mathematically, multiply the first two bars (distance with and without penalties) and divide by the third bar (the speed derate, which penalises going less than 35 mph) to give the fourth bar. Visually, just add the first two bars and subtract the third. So App State was well ahead on Day 1 (because they averaged 34.1 mph to Minnesota’s 29.6 mph), but Minnesota is well ahead now (averaging 35.6 mph to App State’s 34.3 mph).

To relate these numbers to the official ranks, multiply by the average number of people in the car, and divide by the scaling factor for the day, which is the largest of all the distance bars for that day. For example, for App State on Day 1, 20,548.5 × 2 / 244.1 = 168.36. I emphasise again that the numbers for today are estimates.

For a simpler view, we can just assess the cars based on average speed. The chart below does this, with the dashed red line indicating the target speed:

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