Univ. of Minn. Wins Solar Car Race

With clouds filling the skies back home, the University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project team finished in first place this past weekend at the 2009 Formula Sun Grand Prix in Cresson, Texas.

The group of engineering students from the university’s Institute of Technology finished 487 laps on the 1.7-mile, road-style track over three days, logging a total of 827.9 miles.

The U of M car, named Centaurus, finished 94 more laps than the second-place finisher from the University of Kentucky. Northwestern University placed third. This year's first place finish was the second straight win for the university.

“The team did a great job, helped others and pulled off a very clean race,” said Adem Rudin, student crew chief of the University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project team.

The University of Minnesota team also ran the fastest lap at two minutes and 20 seconds. 11 solar car teams from across the country participated in the event this year.