Teams Rev Up for World's Only High School Solar Car Race as Green Mountain Energy's Winston Solar Challenge Kicks Off in Austin, Texas
AUSTIN, Texas--July 17, 2001--When the official flag is waved today, high school students from around the United States and Mexico will put the pedal to the metal and harness the power of the sun as they embark on the only high school cross-country solar car race: Green Mountain Energy's Winston Solar Challenge.
Students will begin the 1,400-mile race today just outside of Austin, Texas, on the Dell campus in Round Rock and will run a course through the Dallas/Fort Worth area, stopping at the Texas Motor Speedway on July 18.
The internationally recognized race, which is designed to encourage teamwork and educate students on the benefits and applications of alternative energy sources, will continue along a course through Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois, ending in Columbus, Ind., near Indianapolis, on July 25.
This year, eight high school teams will compete in Green Mountain Energy's Winston Solar Challenge, which is hosted by the Winston Solar Car Team from The Winston School, and is part of the Winston Solar Education Program.
Participating teams include:
| -- | Houston Solar Race Team, Houston Vocational School, Houston, Miss. |
| -- | South High Tech Team, Salina High School South, Salina, Kan. |
| -- | Team Pegasus Solar Racing, James F. Byrnes High School, Duncan, S.C. |
| -- | UHS Solar Vehicle Racing Team, University High School, Irvine, Calif. |
| -- | Those Against the Evil Day Star, Saint Mary's Hall, San Antonio, Texas |
| -- | C.H. Yoe High School Solar Arrow Team, C. H. Yoe High School, Cameron, Texas |
| -- | Solar Stealth, C4 Columbus Area Career Connection, Columbus, Ind. |
| -- | Chamizal Solar Car Team, Escuela Preparatoria El Chamizal, CD. Juarez, Chih., Mexico |
"The Winston School and The Winston Solar Education Program are very proud of what we've been able to accomplish through this one-of-a-kind race, and Green Mountain Energy Company's involvement is helping to further expand the opportunities to continue to educate young people on the potential of the sun and other alternative energy sources," said Dr. Lehman Marks, event coordinator for The Winston School.
The Winston Solar Education Program was established in 1993 and encompasses workshops and curriculum materials developed by The Winston School. The program is designed to motivate students in science, engineering and solar technology, and to emphasize the value of alternative energy sources while providing students with a solid foundation for building and safely racing solar-powered vehicles.
"The students participating in this race are our future -- and so are clean energy sources. Through its involvement in this program, Green Mountain Energy Company is excited to be able to support the hard work and dedication of the kids who are committed to this unique endeavor and, at the same time, help spread the word about pollution-free energy," said Gillan Taddune, vice president and general manager, Texas for Green Mountain Energy Company. "We wish each and every solar car team member the best of luck as they begin this exciting journey."
The Winston Solar Car Team hosted the first Challenge in 1995, with 90 schools vying for a chance to compete in the event, nine schools building cars for the race and three cars qualifying to participate. The Winston School now hosts the Challenge annually. Even-numbered year events are closed track races, and odd-numbered year events, like this year's, are cross-country races. Since its inception nine years ago, the Winston Solar Education Program has helped students from more than 800 schools in 20 countries learn the science and art of building and racing solar-powered cars.
About Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain Energy Company is the largest and fastest-growing provider of less-polluting electricity generated from wind, solar, water, geothermal, biomass and natural gas sources in the United States. The Austin, Texas-based company provides customers with electricity -- marketed under the Green Mountain Energy(sm) brand -- that is dramatically cleaner than typical regional system power. More than half a million customers in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas have chosen Green Mountain Energy Company as their electricity provider. Green Mountain Energy(sm) customer demand has helped build a number of new renewable generation facilities in markets across the United States, including one of the largest wind farms on the East Coast in Garrett, Penn., and one of the largest solar facilities in Northern California. The company was founded in September 1997. For more information on the company's efforts to change the way power is made, please visit www.greenmountain.com.
About The Winston School and the Winston Solar Education Program
Located in Dallas, the mission of The Winston School is to realize the extraordinary potential of bright children who learn differently through individualized learning strategies and to prepare graduates for college-level work. The Winston Solar Education Program at The Winston School teaches high school students how to build and safely race road-worthy solar vehicles. Workshops and curriculum materials provide mini-courses in engineering, battery technology, solar electronics, materials technology, aerodynamics and financial management. Since its inception in 1993, the program has shared the experience of The Winston School's own solar car team with more than 800 other schools in 20 countries. For more information, visit www.winstonsolar.org or e-mail Dr. Lehman Marks at LehmanM743@aol.com.