## Media may contact: Chris Powers, 303-275-4742; Anna Martinez-Barnish, 303-275-4927; George Douglas, 303-275-4096; or Sarah Barba, 303-275-3023

## 

## Media Advisory, July 14, 2004

# Solar cars to test Texas to Canada route for 2005 race

In preparation for the 2005 North American Solar Challenge, a university
solar car team will drive the planned route from Austin, Texas, to
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, July 18-25.

At 2,500 miles, the North American Solar Challenge (NASC) will be among
the longest races in the world for cars powered only by the sun's rays.
As many as 40 teams, mostly from colleges and universities in the U.S.
and Canada, are expected to participate in the biennial trek in July
2005. The 2003 American Solar Challenge along Route 66 from Chicago to
the Los Angeles area featured 20 teams, with the University of
Missouri-Rolla winning by covering race's 2,300 miles in just shy of 52
hours, averaging 43 mph traveling at near posted speeds.

### Who's going

The University of Minnesota solar car and team will test the 2005 route,
starting in Austin on July 18.

### Stops along the way

On their way to Calgary, the team will stop in Plano, Texas; Tulsa,
Okla.; Independence, Kan.; Topeka, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; Pipestone, Minn.;
Breckenridge, Minn.; Fargo, N.D.; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Brandon, Manitoba;
Regina, Saskatchewan; and Medicine Hat, Alberta. (A list of arrival days
and locations for each town follows.)

Teams will spend about 30 minutes at each stop, allowing time for
interviews and pictures.

### Why race solar cars?

The North American Solar Challenge is an educational event in which
teams compete to build and race solar-powered cars. NASC promotes a
greater understanding of solar energy technology, its environmental
benefits and its promise for the future; educational excellence in
science, engineering and mathematics; the creative integration of
technical and scientific expertise across a range of disciplines; and a
\"hands-on\" opportunity for students and engineers to develop and
demonstrate their technical and creative abilities.

### Call us on the road

Where the teams will be during each day of the test drive depends on
weather, traffic and other factors. NASC public affairs staff Chris
Powers, Anna Martinez-Barnish, Sarah Barba and George Douglas will be in
contact with the cars and race organizers and will be traveling with the
teams along the route. All will be available by mobile phone. Call
Powers at 303-434-4257 (July 15-19), Martinez-Barnish at 303-434-4256,
Barba at 303-513-3549 (after July 19) or Douglas at 720-353-7540 (July
15 through 19).

### Sponsors

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE's National Renewable Energy
Laboratory sponsor the North American Solar Challenge. DOE's overarching
mission is enhancing national security. Among the department's most
important priorities are increasing domestic energy production,
revolutionizing our approach to energy conservation and efficiency, and
promoting the development of renewable and energy efficiency
technologies. NREL is DOE's premier laboratory for renewable energy
research and development and a lead lab in energy efficiency R&D. NREL
is operated for the DOE by Midwest Research Institute and Battelle.

### Test drive stops and dates

Sunday, July 18 Begin drive from Austin, Texas, 9 a.m.

Arrive Plano, Texas

Monday, July 19 Leave Plano, 8 a.m.

Stop in Tulsa, Okla.

Drive from Tulsa to Independence, Kan.

Tuesday, July 20 Leave Independence, 8 a.m.

Stop in Topeka, Kan.

Drive from Topeka to Omaha, Neb.

Wednesday, July 21 Leave Omaha, 8 a.m.

Stop in Pipestone, Minn.

Drive from Pipestone to Breckenridge, Minn.

Thursday, July 22 Leave Breckenridge, 8 a.m.

Stop in Fargo, N.D.

Cross border at Pembina, N.D.

Drive to Winnipeg, Manitoba

Friday, July 23 Leave Winnipeg, 9 a.m.

Stop in Brandon, Manitoba

Drive to Regina, Saskatchewan

Saturday, July 24 Leave Regina, 8 a.m.

Drive to Medicine Hat, Alberta

Sunday, July 25 Leave Medicine Hat, 9 a.m.

Drive to Calgary, Alberta

-30-

Visit the North American Solar Challenge online at
<http://www.americansolarchallenge.org/event/asc2005/>