The Solar Phantom V completed 396 laps (831.6 miles) in the three-day event, finishing 14 laps (29.4 miles) ahead of the University of Missouri-Rolla (382 laps) and the University of Minnesota (362 laps). Kansas State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia rounded out the top five teams.

The solar-powered cars traveled around the 2.1-mile road course for 9.5 hours on May 23, 10.5 hours on May 24 and 8.5 hours on May 25.

The competition went right down to the wire. With four hours left, Rose-Hulman and Missouri-Rolla were on the same lap. However, Missouri-Rolla suffered a blown electrical motor, requiring a lengthy pit stop.

"I wish we wouldn’t have made it so interesting at the end, but the top two teams were so close," said Team Leader Jake McKeegan, a junior mechanical engineering major.

As a sign of good sportsmanship, the Rose-Hulman team lent Missouri-Rolla a spare motor so that the Sunrayce 99 champions could finish the race. Rose-Hulman received the Sportsmanship Award at the post-race awards ceremony.

"Some questioned why we helped our main competitor, but we thought it was the right thing to do. They (Missouri-Rolla) had worked so hard to get to the finish line. It would have been a shame not to have them finish," said Chief Operations Officer Brad Berron, a junior chemical engineering major. "I would hope they would do the same for us."

The Solar Phantom also received honors for collecting the most laps on Day 2 (142) and Day 3 (122), and having the second fastest car in the drag sprint qualifications. The 298.2 miles traveled on Day 2 set a one-day performance record for the team. Overall, the car averaged 31.38 mph during the race.

The team’s next challenge will be the American Solar Challenge, a road race from Chicago to Los Angeles along historic Route 66 on July 15-24, 2001. A new car is currently being constructed for that race.

Formula Sun Grand Prix Results

1. Rose-Hulman, 396 laps

2. Univ. of Missouri-Rolla, 382

3. Univ. of Minnesota, 362

4. Kansas State Univ., 345

5. Univ. of Missouri-Columbia I, 326

6. Iowa State University, 293

7. Univ. of North Dakota, 276

8. Lincoln Land Comm. College, 201

9. Purdue University, 196

10. Mankato-Winona State (Minn.), 166

11. Michigan Tech., 157

12. Univ. of Missouri-Columbia II, 133

13. South Dakota School of Mines, 124