December 8, 2005 Source: University of Calgary:
http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/dec05/soleon-back.html Soleon: Back from Australia, at last Homecoming rally launches U of C Solar Car Team’s search
for next generation of ‘raycers’ It’s been a long road home for the University of Calgary’s first-ever entry in the Panasonic World Solar Challenge. After journey by boat across the Pacific Ocean and a truck ride from Vancouver, Soleon arrived safe and sound in Cowtown and will be uncrated this morning by U of C Solar Car Team members who say the car’s homecoming marks a new beginning for the club that defied expectations with its rookie performances in the two biggest solar car races in the world earlier this year. "It’s an exciting time because we need to build a new car and a new team to take us into the future," said Garrett Brett, the team’s business and logistics manager said. "The foundation has been set for the U of C to become a leader in the world of solar car racing and we’re going to do everything we can to keep that momentum going and build on our success." Soleon finished 10th in the world and first in the production class of vehicles in the 3,000-kilometre race across the Australian Outback in September. It was the best showing by a rookie team in the international competition, which followed Soleon’s 13th-place finish in the North American Solar Challenge, a 4,000 kilometre race from Austin, Texas to the finish line at U of C on July 27. The team was praised for coming up with a race-worthy car in only nine months, compared to the two years it takes most teams to prepare for a race. "I want to thank the Soleon team for their dedication and all the hard work that produced a car the entire city is proud of," U of C President Dr. Harvey Weingarten said. "The solar car team is one of the best examples we have of how the most valuable, multidisciplinary learning often takes place outside of the classroom. In this case it was, literally, education on the move." As the original team members move on to other endeavours, the team is now seeking more than 100 new members to become drivers, engineers, race planners and support crew to build and race a new and improved solar-powered vehicle to race in the 2007 North American Solar Challenge. "Our first performance was impressive, but now we need to set our sights on winning," said race engineer Sean Hum, a graduate student in the Schulich School of Engineering. "Just imagine what the team can do with that much time to design, test and train for its next big race," Hum said. Brett said the team was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic support of Calgarians during Soleon’s first two races and that the team plans to build even stronger ties with the city’s solar car fans by forging partnerships with high schools and other community groups and expanding its network of sponsors. Team Soleon is a partnership between the University of Calgary, the Schulich School of Engineering and the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy. The University of Calgary is one of North America’s leading centres for energy studies, including research on responsible and environmentally sound methods – such as solar power – that will ensure a sustainable energy supply. The Schulich School of Engineering is the fastest-growing Engineering faculty in Canada. The School is committed to being First Choice in Canada for accredited engineering education, for internationally acclaimed research, and for service to the community and the engineering profession. The University’s Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy is a unique, collaborative institute that develops new methods and technology to unlock energy resources and protect the environment for future generations.
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