University of Minnesota solar car to race at Indianapolis Speedway May 5-7

Media Note:
Members of the Solar Vehicle Project team will be available for interviews at their St. Paul campus shop on Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30. The team is leaving for Indianapolis on Sunday, May 1.

Contacts:
Rhonda Zurn, College of Science and Engineering, rzurn@umn.edu, (612) 626-7959

Preston Smith, University News Service, smith@umn.edu, (612) 625-0552

University of Minnesota team won the Formula Sun Grand Prix in 2009

MINNEAPOLIS (04/28/2011) —University of Minnesota students from the College of Science and Engineering Solar Vehicle Project team will get a thrill of a lifetime when they race their solar-powered car at the famous “Brickyard” track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 5-7 in the Formula Sun Grand Prix. The American Solar Challenge event is part of the 100-year anniversary celebration of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Formula Sun Grand Prix is a track event that is held on grand prix or road- style closed courses. This unique style of racing truly tests the limits of solar cars in handling curves, braking and acceleration. Race strategy during these three-day events is different than what teams use in the alternate-year cross-country event.

The University of Minnesota solar car team won the 2009 Formula Sun Grand Prix, completing 827 miles powered only by the sun. Last year, the team came in second place in the 1,100 cross-country American Solar Challenge race.

“We’re very excited about our chances of doing well in the race this year,” said student team leader Jonathan Nutzmann, a junior majoring in electrical engineering. “We have a very reliable car, and we’re ready to take on some good competitors.”

University students on 10 teams from across the country will arrive in Indianapolis on Monday, May 2 where they will prepare for a series of inspections. The actual racing begins on Thursday, May 5.

The University of Minnesota team will be driving their current car named Centaurus II that was built for last year’s cross-country race. Centaurus II is the ninth car in the team’s 21-year history. Upgrades to the vehicle over the last year have been focused on concept testing for the design of the next generation Centaurus III car expected to be unveiled next spring.

For more information about the team, visit their website at www.svp.umn.edu.

Follow the team throughout the race on Twitter: @umnsvp