6-29-99

Contacts:
Allen Ihlefeld, Team PrISUm, (515) 231-0363
Skip Derra, News Service, (515) 294-4917

ISU SOLAR CAR SLOSHES THROUGH DAY 8 OF SUNRAYCE 99

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State's PrISUm Phoenix solar car finished in first place June 28 (after penalties), completing 150 miles out of the 200-mile leg (Tallahassee to Ocala, Fla.) of Sunrayce 99. The ISU solar car got as far as Alachua, Fla., before the students decided to trailer it into the overnight stop. The ISU team is in 5th place overall in the race.

Today's leg of Sunrayce was marked once again by overcast skies and plenty of rain. Iowa State began the day in 5th place overall. Official times and standings after eight days of Sunrayce 99 can be obtained by accessing www.sunrayce.com/sunrayce/mobile.

"We feel we did really well to make it as far as we did," said Allen Ihlefeld, director of Team PrISUm. "We are hoping that with today's effort we will have gained some ground on several teams."

Tomorrow's leg of Sunrayce 99, the last leg, is 82 miles from Ocala to Orlando, Fla. The last day of Sunrayce is typically a "sprint" day as teams go all out in a race to the final finish line.

"We will try to get to the finish line at the EPCOT Center as soon as possible," Ihlefeld said. "We will take the batteries all the way down."

Sunrayce 99 coincides with the week of the summer solstice. The 1,424-mile race began June 20 in Washington, D.C., and ends June 29 in Orlando, Fla.

Sunrayce is an ongoing educational program that culminates in a biennial cross-country race of solar-powered cars. The program is open to colleges, universities, trade schools and other post-secondary educational institutions.

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Editors:

The ISU News Service will provide daily updates on Team PrISUm to reporters covering the race. Contact Skip Derra, (515) 294-4917 or (515) 255-3422 (home).

Official race standings and times can be obtained by accessing the Sunrayce Web site.

Team PrISUm's Web site includes images and updates on the team's performance.

Iowa State homepage

University Relations, online@iastate.edu
Copyright © 1999, Iowa State University, all rights reserved
URL: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~nscentral/releases/99/june/day8.html
Revised 06/27/99