The Sun Dog Racer is all set to give a tough fight at the Annual Solar Car Challenge which is to be held at Texas in the month of July this year. The name is totally unsuggestive of the kind of vehicle, except for the fact that it is a car that would run solely on solar energy. The truth is that, besides its religious use of solar energy, the car contains in it, parts that have been donated, purchased or customized for a solar car.
Well, the creator is none other than a young team led by junior Rick Hochenedel, 17. In fact, he is one of the two members with the license which permits to drive in the race, and hence will be the preferred member to participate in the race. Pete Oelschlaeger, better known among his students as Mr. O, is the guide and torch-bearer for this team. Previously an engineer with General Motor’s Buick division, he has the accurate set of qualification and experience that would be instrumental in the team’s success.
Let’s now step down to the technicalities of the car. Since it is a solar car, it is adequately equipped with solar panels. The temperatures on the tracks reach a screeching 100 degree Celsius, thus giving a maximum gain to the car. The students have poked their nerves to the threshold in preparatory sessions – a story that has repeated itself since the past few years. The former team had also bagged the Tenacity award for its persistence.
Local companies have donated parts, time and money for the cause. Albemarle has been one of them. A loyal supporter since the beginning, it has recently donated a considerable $5,000 to reward the efforts of the students. This Car race has been a significant event for Mr. O and his team since the beginning. Sun Dog Racer has been equally special in that case. It has demanded a huge effort from the part of the team and the demand has been sufficiently quenched. Pete Oelschlaeger humorously states that he has possibly put more miles into the car for its various requirements than he has for the cumulated distance between Baton Rouge and Fort Worth.
We wish the team all the very best for the race. May the hard work reveal the sweet success concealed inside.
Source: dailycomet
