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6. Nature of the Event

Closed-Track Event​

In alternating years, the event will consist of either a multi-day closed-track event or a cross-country event. During a closed-track event, teams will cover the same course each day with the same specific start and finish line at the Texas Motor Speedway. Teams will accumulate full laps around the Texas Motor Speedway (no partial laps will be awarded). The team that completes the most laps during the event will be declared the winner. The team that completes the same number of laps with a lower elapsed time than another team will place higher than the other team. The details of closed-track events will be spelled out in Rules Updates for that specific year’s event.

Cross-Country Event​

For a cross-country event, teams will drive or trailer their solar car on a specified route over the course of several days. The team driving the most miles in their solar car over the course of the event will be declared the winner. The team completing the same number of miles with a shorter elapsed time will place higher than the other team. A tie shall be declared for teams completing the same number of miles and a difference in elapsed time of less than 1%. This allows for judging tolerance for recording time. The details of cross-country events will be spelled out in Rules Updates for that specific year’s event.

6.1 Elapsed Time​

On each day of the event, a team’s elapsed time begins at its allotted time slot (based on starting order). A team’s elapsed time ends when it completes the course for the day, or when time has elapsed for the day, whichever is earlier. Time spent at required stops or when teams are required to trailer a particular course segment are deducted from the elapsed time.

6.2 Challenge Events​

Teams will be required to take part in all events and activities, including the opening banquet, closing banquet, and all scheduled pre-challenge and post-challenge events. Teams will be notified of all events at Team Check-In. In addition to pre-challenge and post-challenge events, teams must participate in one event throughout the year to support the Solar Car Challenge. A list of such events will be provided at the beginning of each race year. Teams failing to participate in all events and activities may be disqualified from the event

6.3 Items Provided by the Solar Car Challenge​

  • Comprehensive Challenge Booklet
  • Guide to Hotel/Motel/Campsite Accommodations
  • Emergency Medical Personnel
  • Judges Accompanying Each Team
  • On-road police protection (where appropriate)
  • Special Texas License Plate (for cross-country events only)
  • Caution: Solar Car Ahead Signs (for cross-country events only)
  • Drinking Water (At Scrutineering, Start & Finish Lines, Media Stops, and Vehicle Impound)
  • Security for Solar Cars during nightly impounds

6.4 Items Provided by Entrants​

All items not specifically enumerated in Section 6.3 (above) will be provided by entrants, unless set out in Rules Updates. Teams must remember to provide driver’s licenses for designated Team Drivers, as well as Proof of Vehicle Liability Insurance

6.5 Trailering Provisions​

Teams may trailer their solar cars at any point on the cross-country course (unless otherwise restricted by the Where-to-Be, What-to-Do document). Teams will not accumulate any miles spent trailering their solar car. Teams must trailer their solar cars when required to do so in the Official Route booklet

6.6 Time​

Central Daylight Time is the “official” time for all events. When a cross-country route moves into another time zone, the time within the zone when the day started will be considered the “official time” for all events conducted in that new time zone on that day

6.7 Driving​

For cross-country events each team will be released from an official Starting Line at fixed intervals and all racing will stop at a fixed interval after the team’s allotted time slot. The detailed schedule for each day will be published on the Solar Car Challenge web site and on the Where-to-Be, What-to-Do document. For closed track events, the racing schedule will be published on the Solar Car Challenge web site

When driving on the cross-country course, teams must maintain a minimum speed of 20 mph. If the solar car is unable to maintain that speed, it must safely pull off the road and charge their batteries. When road shoulders are available, teams should periodically pull over to allow traffic to pass.

6.8 Charging​

Teams may charge their solar car batteries during daylight hours up to the time for impounding the vehicles. Charging of the main battery pack must be done in the presence of an event official, and can only be charged by direct solar radiation

6.9 Impound​

All solar cars will be impounded under event security each day. Teams may start removing their solar cars from the Impound when opened by event officials. Once the event has begun, no team will be allowed to remove their vehicle from the Impound without the escort of an event official. The car must remain under the direct supervision of an event official throughout the day until it is again submitted for impound. Teams violating this rule may be disqualified from the event. Specific impound times can be found on the Where-to-Be, What-to-Do document

6.10 Equipment Safety​

Teams may and should bring equipment to maintain and/or repair their solar car to the event. Such equipment shall be stored in a safe manner and in compliance with appropriate safety regulations (e.g. OSHA) when applicable, such that members and surrounding teams will not be harmed. For example, welding gasses shall be stored vertically and strapped down so it does not inadvertently tip over. Any equipment with wheels or casters should be secured or tilted such that it does not cause someone to slip

6.11 Attire​

Attire for all participants (including students, sponsors, chaperones, advisors, and others participating or traveling with team) in the Solar Car Challenge must be appropriate. All participants must wear full-brimmed hats when in direct sunlight and closed-toe shoes throughout the event. Jeans are recommended for protection when working on the car and when kneeling on the ground. Shorts must be longer than the longest fingertip