Update: The Oregon State University Solar Vehicle Team placed first in the 2013 Formula Sun Grand Prix. OSU took the race by driving 193 laps (656 miles) around the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on pure solar energy! See below for more information on the team’s trip to Texas and the competition.

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The Oregon State Solar Vehicle Team (OSUSVT) is headed to Austin, Texas for the 2013 Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP), an international track race. Open to teams from around the world, this unique style of solar car racing tests the limits of the vehicles in handling curves, braking, and acceleration.

The winner of FSGP is determined by the total number of laps completed over three days of racing. But the event is more than just competing for a win. Before the race, solar vehicle teams work together with fellow competitors and inspectors to insure the safety of their vehicles, a process known as scrutineering.

In 2012, the OSUSVT raced a 1,650-mile route from Rochester, N.Y, to St. Paul, Minn., through the states bordering the Great Lakes. The team placed sixth out of the 17 competing teams and received the “Spirit of the Rayce” award for embodying the essence of the American Solar Challenge: excellence in engineering, team work, and sportsmanship.

Since its creation, the OSUSVT has expanded in numbers and now includes engineering graduate and undergraduate students with a variety of interests in science and business. The team continues to give students hands-on experience in team work, engineering, and business/project management. Team members build a strong relationship with industry and provide educational outreach opportunities in sustainable carbon-free transportation.

You can follow the team’s progress at: www.osusvt.com

–Wilkins White