OBJECTIVE

The objective of the SETRC/SMUD Solar Sprint competition is to design and build a vehicle that will complete a race in the shortest possible time using available solar power. Staying within the guidelines outlined below, teams will design and build a solar-powered vehicle, utilizing a kit (from www.solarworld [PB1] .com) containing a solar panel and a motor that will race on a 20-meter racecourse. The contest will consist of preliminary trials and a final competition. Middle and high school teams will compete together in the preliminary trails. Each car will run in two preliminary trails. The eight middle school and eight high school cars with the fastest times during the preliminary trials will qualify for final competition. There will be a middle school final and a high school final. The overall winner of the race will be the fastest vehicle in the final competition. Awards will be presented for fastest high school team and fastest middle school team. Additionally, an award will be given to two high schools and one middle school team for best overall design based on technical merit, craftsmanship, and innovation.

MATERIALS

1-The motor and solar panel contained in the kit (Solar Power) must be used without modification. Each car must have an eyelet (or eyelets) attached to the side or bottom of the car chassis. The eyelet(s) provided at the September 15^th information meeting may be used as specified for the guide wire. (See attachment A.) Teams can also design their own eyelet, which will allow the car to be easily attached and removed from the guide wire without disconnecting the guide wire. The kit also contains wheels and gears that may or may not be used (as determined by the contestant) in the construction of the solar car.

2-The remainder of the vehicle must be your own design and can be made from any other materials. Teams are encouraged to name their teams and vehicles.

VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS Please note: Any vehicle that does not comply with all of the following will be disqualified.

1-The vehicle must be safe for contestants and spectators (e.g. no sharp edges, projectiles, etc.).

2-The vehicle must fit within the following dimensions: 30 centimeters (cm) x 60 cm x 30 cm.

3-All vehicles must have a 2 cm x 2 cm space available for an assigned vehicle number decal. The space must be clearly visible when racing.

4-Sunlight will be the only power source for the vehicle. No batteries or energy storage devices are permitted.

5-Any energy-enhancing devices, like mirrors, must be attached to the vehicle.

6-The vehicle must be steered by the guide wire using one or more eyelets affixed to the vehicle. The vehicle must be easily attached and removed from the guide wire without disconnecting the guide wire.

7-The car must have a chassis that is three-dimensional. Teams will NOT be allowed to bolt the axles and wheels of the car directly to the solar module. The solar module cannot be used as the chassis of the car.

TRACK SPECIFICATIONS

1-The length of the racecourse is 20 meters over generally level terrain.

2-Racing lanes must be at least 60 cm wide.

3-A guide wire will be located in the center of each lane of the track and will be 1.5 cm above the track surface.

4-The track will be a hard, relatively smooth, generally level surface. Participants may view the track at the 1/12/04 meeting.

RACE CONDUCT

1-Vehicles and team members must register at registration desk during their specified registration time. Teams will be assigned vehicle number and cars will be inspected for initial compliance.

2-Vehicles and team members must report to the Ready Bench area 2 heats before their assigned heat number.

3-At race time, vehicles will be placed behind the starting line with all wheels in contact with the ground. Only race participants are allowed at the start and finish lines. A maximum of two team members may be at the starting line. One and only one team member must be at the finish line to catch the vehicle. No one is allowed on the racecourse.

4-The contestants must cover the solar module with a large manila envelope (provided by race officials) without touching the module.

5-At the start of the race, the contestants will remove the large manila envelope to allow the solar module to generate electricity for powering the vehicles.

6-An early OR push start may result in disqualification or re-running the race. A second false start will automatically disqualify a contestant. The race judges will determine if a contestant is disqualified or if the race must be re-run.

7-The race will start when the official signal is given. All contestants will be timed. Race start times will be at the sole discretion of the race judge official. Each school is required to provide one timer for the entire event. Failure to provide a timer may result in disqualification of the school from the competition.

8- Race results will be posted after heats. The eight fastest middle school cars and the eight fastest high school cars will advance to the final competition.

9-Team members may not accompany or touch the vehicle while it is racing on the track. Vehicles stalled on the track may be retrieved after the end of the race has been declared.

10-Vehicles and team members must remain at the finish line until all vehicles have finished. A stalled vehicle will be designated as ”finished with no time.”

11-Vehicles that change or cross lanes will be disqualified (at the discretion of the race judges).

12-Challenges protesting the winning order of the heat must be made before the race judges begin the next heat. All challenges must come from the team members who are actively competing. The decisions of the race judges are final.

13-Judges and Ready Bench officials have the option to inspect cars for compliance with official competition rules prior to the final heat or at any time during and/or after the heats are completed.

14-Teams behavior will be safe and respectful of other participants, staff and judges, at all times. Any unacceptable behavior by the participant, team member, or participant’s guest may disqualify the vehicle from the competition.

15 - Questions regarding interpretation of rules or regarding rule infractions will be decided by the Race Marshall, who's decision is final.

DESIGN COMPETITION

1- All teams will be assigned a time for their design competition. Teams should report to the design competition 10 minutes before their scheduled design competition time. Teams will be scheduled to complete their design competition at least 20 minutes prior to their first race.

2--The best-designed vehicles will be determined based on technical merit (how well were instructions followed), craftsmanship (how well-built is the vehicle) and innovation (how creative is the design). Design awards will be determined by the judges and will include an interview of the teams, on the day of the competition.

3-Students will be asked to give a two-minute presentation that will address the design of their vehicle: technical merit, craftsmanship, and innovation. One or more students may participate in the presentation. A one-minute question and answer period will follow the presentation.

AWARDS

1- Award categories include the following: A) Fastest High School Team, B) Fastest Middle School Team, C) Best Overall Design High School, Group A, D) Best Overall Design High School, Group B and E) Best Overall Design Middle School (Group C).

2- All participants will receive participation awards.

3-The best-designed vehicles will be determined based on technical merit (how well were instructions followed), craftsmanship (how well-built is the vehicle) and innovation (how creative is the design). Design awards will be determined by the judges and will include an interview of the teams, on the day of the competition.

RAIN DATE

1-Alternative date due to inclement weather is May 16, 2004. Please check the SETRC website:http://ic.arc.losrios.edu/~setrc for race cancellation information.