Solar Storms Solar Car Team

July 19, 2026

The first day of racing put Solar Storms—and the car—to the test almost immediately. Starting third after being one of the first teams to complete scrutineering, the team headed onto the 155-mile course ready to see what the car could do. The first major hill became the true challenge during the uphill climb. As the motor controller began to overheat, the team was forced to pull over on the side of the road. Everyone quickly came together, thinking on their feet to find a solution. They ultimately trailered to the next designated rest stop, where they installed a new cooling system on the spot. While there, they also replaced the differential bearings before continuing.
By the end of the day, the team had driven approximately 45 miles under solar power and made it safely to the first overnight stop. With these challenges behind them, the car is now performing exceptionally well and is fully prepared to take on the rest of the race.