University of Kentucky team wins Formula Sun Grand Prix

The Solar Car Team at the University of Kentucky (UK) made history in August, earning its first-ever first-place finish at the Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP), which took place this year in Topeka, Kansas. UK announced the results of this year's race in a news release which also told about the history of the team, the car they use for competition, and the significance of the victory.

Since 1999, the Solar Car Team has functioned as a student-led organization that designs and builds solar electric vehicles used for racing and for STEM outreach programs. This summer the team brought its car, the Gato del Sol VI (built in 2018), to Topeka, Kansas, for the annual Formula Sun Grand Prix. The competition included a three-day evaluation of the car to ensure it met all safety regulations. The UK team was the first to pass this stage, then proceeded to the track. 

After another three days of driving laps on the course, the University of Kentucky Solar Car Team finished in first place with the most laps completed. The team drove 250 laps (625 miles), edging out the team from MIT by 11 laps. "The Solar Car Team was absolutely incredible this year, and I am really proud of what they accomplished," said Mike Johnson, professor and chair in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. "This shows what engineers can do when they work together across the boundaries of their individual disciplines to design and carry-out solutions to real-world problems. I can't wait to see what will come next," Johnson continued.

Moving on after the win at the FSGP, the team began the American Solar Challenge (ASC), which is a 970-mile road competition that started in Independence, Missouri, and ended in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The Gato del Sol VI managed a second-place finish in this competition with the team from MIT coming in first. Overall, the UK team drove 965.2 official miles according to results published by American Solar Challenge.

In addition to the first- and second-place finishes, the UK Solar Car Team also earned the award for "Most Improved" for their progress over the years. Team member Sheldon Salins said, "We still have so much to look forward to, especially this year. We will have another ASC this summer, with a road distance nearly double what we just completed. So, we are going to perfect Gato del Sol VI into the best vehicle it can be. Even more exciting, this fall marks the beginning of the construction of our next-generation car, Gato del Sol VII, which will be an even stronger competitor on the track and on the road."

Reflecting on the experience gained through the competition, PhD student Donovin Lewis said, "FSGP is as much a test of our driving ability as it is our ability to design and build a reliable car and fix difficult engineering problems on the fly. The technical and hands-on experience gained through engineering education at the University of Kentucky prepared us for quickly and effectively responding to crises and get us back on the track. Our own grit and dedication alongside years of passed-down knowledge and continuous development enabled the success we had out on the track."