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NEWS RELEASE
07-19-01
Contacts:
Nick Mohr, Team PrISUm, (515) 451-5630
Skip Derra, News Service, (515) 294-4917
SUSPENSION PROBLEMS HOLD BACK ISU IN DAY FIVE OF ASC
AMES, Iowa -- Problems with the Iowa State solar car's suspension kept Team
PrISUm from
making it to Amarillo, Texas, under its own power. Amarillo was the team's
targeted end point in the
fifth day of the American Solar Challenge.
Team PrISUm completed about 180 miles for the day beginning in Edmond,
Okla., and finishing
roughly 70 miles east of Amarillo. The team trailered the remaining 70 miles
and will begin tomorrow
from Amarillo.
"Some of the roads were kind of bumpy and it took its toll on the car's
suspension," said Nick Mohr,
director of Team PrISUm. "Some of the parts of the suspension system were
wearing at an
accelerated rate. Some had to be replaced."
Mohr added that the ISU team still feels that it is making headway in
the pack of cars, but some
demanding terrain lies ahead. Once out of Texas, the solar racers will be
faced with traveling across
the plains, then mountains and desert of New Mexico.
"We knew the race route was going to be a challenge," Mohr said. "We feel
that if we can keep the
car on the road, we can continue to make up ground in the overall
standings."
For official team standings go to
www.formulasun.org/asc. To view where
teams are on the race route, go to
www.formulasun.org/asc/tracking/index.html. Team PrISUm also is charting its
own progress and posting it on its web site,
www.prisum.iastate.edu/asc/#map.
The American Solar Challenge, a 2,300-mile race is being held July 15-25. It
is the longest solar car race ever attempted. The race course will follow
along portions of old Route 66.
The American Solar Challenge is designed to advance renewable energy and
electric vehicle technologies, promote educational and engineering
excellence, encourage environmental consciousness and teach teamwork. This
is the sixth major solar car race Iowa State students have participated in
since 1990.
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