Fall 1998

Phantom wins Solar Car Rally and previews Sunrayce 99

Rose-Hulman’s Solar Phantom solar-powered vehicle captured top honors in one race and completed a 1,500-mile journey from Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Fla., during June.

The Solar Phantom IV won the National Road Solar Car Rally, a four-day, 385-mile race June 3-6 from Wheeling, W.Va., to Terre Haute, along historic U.S. 40. The vehicle finished 97 minutes ahead of second-place Ohio State University.

Then, from June 21-30, the nine-member Rose-Hulman team helped organizers survey the proposed route for next summer’s Sunrayce 99 race, a biennial event for solar cars from 40 North American colleges and universities.

Along the way, Rose-Hulman alumni welcomed the Solar Phantom to Washington, D.C. (organized by David Staggs); Lynchburg, Va. (Alumni Association President Art Nelson); Raleigh, N.C. (Bill Chambers); Charlotte, N.C. (Bill Mitchell); and Atlanta, Ga. (Jeff Pahl)

The Phantom averaged 32 mph during the 10-day trip; became the first solar car to travel around the Charlotte Motor Speedway; and posted a team record speed of 82 mph — going downhill — near Winchester, Va.

The team was also featured on Paul Harvey’s nationally syndicated radio show, the Science/Technology page of The Tampa Tribune, 10 other daily newspapers, 15 television stations and five radio stations throughout the southeastern U.S.

The team is now building a new solar car to compete in Sunrayce 99, tentatively scheduled for June 20-30, 1999.