Solar Storms Solar Car Team

July 17, 2026

Day two of scrutineering began with media interviews and team photos as local news outlets stopped by to capture the excitement surrounding the Solar Car Challenge. Once the cameras were packed away, it was time to get back to work. The team started by fixing the two inspection stations we didn’t pass yesterday before moving on to the final two tests. One of the highlights of the day was getting the opportunity to test the car on the legendary Texas Motor Speedway, where station 6 required teams to prove their solar car was stable, safe, and fully controllable at speed before being cleared for the open road. When Isabel took the car out and reached 42mph – our fastest speed yet-the teams crew cars behind her were ready for anything that might happen at that speed. They had earned their pass and cheers were heard by everyone.

The final challenge was the truck pass test, Where a large truck drives past the solar car at speed to make sure it remains stable and can safely handle the wind created by passing traffic. once we passed that final station, it became official – we were road rady! The excitment was unbelievable. After months of hard work, late nights, and problem-solving, everyone was smiling, cheering, and soaking in the moment. Finishing as the 3rd team out of 20 to complete scrutineering means we’ll also be 3rd in the starting lineup when the race begins.

By 4pm we had everything packed up and headed back to the house for a much needed team dinner filled with nonstop conversations about the car and everything that had just happened. With inspections behind us. the team split into two groups. One group still had plenty of energy and headed to the Fort Worth Stockyards to experience a Texas rodeo and watch the nice cars drive past on the street corner before returning for a late-night swim. The other half was completely worn out after two intense days and chose to relax at the house, watch a movie, call friends and family, and finally get some well-earned sleep.

Tomorrow is a chance to sleep in, catch our breath, and make a few final tweaks before the real adventure begins. On Sunday, the endurance race starts, and thanks to two unforgettable days of scrutineering, our team is ready – with big smiles, growing confidence, and excitement for the miles ahead.