GM, EDS and Dept. of Energy Issue Challenge 'Sunrayce' Joint Initiative Asks Americans to Take Action
10/31/96
PRNewswire reports that The United States Secretary of Energy Hazel R. O'Leary issued a challenge today, echoed by General Motors and EDS: Americans must take action to enhance classroom learning experiences with hands-on exposure to the "real world" of technology -- in all disciplines from design and engineering to communications, marketing and business. O'Leary noted that one benefit of such an effort is that the country will be inspired by America's youth to become better informed and to integrate new energy technologies into homes, communities and the workplace.
The Secretary's call to action was issued at a New York news conference celebrating Sunrayce 97, America's premier solar-powered car "rayce." The 10-day long-distance event takes place next June across America's heartland. General Motors, EDS, and the Department of Energy (DOE) co-sponsor the Sunrayce program, which stages the popular biennial competition for collegiate teams and organizes its related on-going public awareness and education efforts. The competition is the most visible Sunrayce activity, but behind the scenes thousands of volunteers in academia and business also work together in a non-stop collective, learning-centered approach to furthering the development of ecologically responsible transportation alternatives.
"Today we are issuing a challenge to individuals and businesses alike, to small towns and large cities -- get involved and learn about renewable energy and energy efficient technologies, that already exist," said Secretary O'Leary. "Many affordable and accessible technologies are available right now. But we need to better educate ourselves on their practical everyday uses. A program like Sunrayce gets people involved working together toward a common goal while learning about the technologies that are shaping their future. I urge all Americans to join the Sunrayce team."
General Motors Corporation chairman/CEO and president John F. Smith, Jr., placed his company squarely alongside O'Leary's DOE challenge for timely commitment and action, citing GM's broad support of public/private partnership, technology leadership, and enhanced educational effort. He pointed to the significance of capitalizing on the "can do" attitude and unbridled enthusiasm of young people. Noting that a hundred years ago the seeds of the automobile were sown by young inventors, he said, "These 'tinkerers' put into motion a technology revolution that transformed transportation -- and profoundly changed our world. Today, we stand on the brink of a new century and a new technological horizon ... virtually every field of knowledge is poised for a major leap."
The GM chairman underscored his company's teamwork approach, one which he says places a high priority on bringing leading-edge technologies to the mass marketplace. One illustration is GM's upcoming December debut of the world's first mass-marketed electric car. Smith also pointed to a variety of joint research activities with DOE, and participation with the industry at large in the U.S. Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) and the Partnership for a New Generation Vehicle initiatives.
Smith enthusiastically endorsed Sunrayce and its ideals. "Even as we establish cooperative alliances to develop new-generation technologies, it's also clear we are going to need the best and brightest of the new generation of young people to help us achieve our goals," he said.
EDS also seconded the call to action. Theresa Tschirky, president of EDS' Advanced Technology strategic business unit, pointed to the global information service company's long-standing involvement with students and its support of education and awareness activities. EDS brings hands-on experience to the students participating in Sunrayce by providing interactive consulting services in vehicle aerodynamic performance analysis and photo-realistic imaging.
Tschirky noted that, "At EDS Advanced Technology, we see ourselves as the single focal point for EDS' global engineering, scientific and emerging computing resources. That's why we take an enthusiastic approach to support educational programs like Sunrayce and contribute whenever we can. We know that the future of technology advancement in this country depends on such initiatives and, with it, the future of our business."
Each Sunrayce cosponsor championed the cause of bringing technology advancements to the marketplace in short order. Secretary O'Leary captured the essence of the sponsors' zeal for creative teamwork to make it happen. She drew the analogy of the first Earth Day, which was held in 1970. "It took a renewed national commitment -- sparked by highly visible activities on Earth Day's anniversary 20 years later -- to effectively focus national attention and generate widespread change in crucial energy and environmental areas such as recycling," she said.
O'Leary threw down the friendly, spirited gauntlet, asking Americans to once again match their effort with their beliefs: "As Sunrayce illustrates, we can quickly move toward more environmentally responsible transportation alternatives if we put our actions as well as our minds to the test. It's time for government at all levels -- for American businesses and individuals alike -- to get better informed, get more excited, and get involved. This is a call for a renaissance of spirit."
Rahul Rana, a participating electrical engineering student on hand from Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, NY, noted that the program's sun imagery is quite fitting, "I see the sun as a spiritual keeper." Sunrayce sponsors characterize their Challenge as an effort to encourage "teamwork for a brighter future."
Hosting the news conference was Ken Baker, VP Research & Development Center, General Motors Corporation, who co-chairs the Sunrayce program along with Brian Castelli, Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (DOE); and Theresa Tschirky, Strategic Business Unit President of Advanced Technology (EDS). Also introduced were Frank Stoneking, Corporate Vice President, EDS; and the co-directors of Sunrayce Tom Sheffler (GM), Bill Dye (EDS) and Patrick Booher (DOE).
Representing the student contingent at the news conference were team leaders from two area Sunrayce teams: Larry Pachon from Clarkson University (Potsdam, NY) and Rahul Rana from Polytechnic University (Brooklyn, NY). They represent a field of 69 cars -- involving some 1,000 students -- to vie for 40 slots in the 10-day Rayce June 19-28, 1997, from Indianapolis, Ind., to Colorado Springs, Colo. Sunrayce engages North American college and university teams -- and a vast array of towns, cities, schools and local governments -- in an intensive two-year effort to design, build, test and compete in ultra-high-tech solar-powered cars.
GM, EDS and the U.S. Department of Energy have participated in Sunrayce since its inception in 1990, on the heels of a decisive victory by GM's Sunraycer in the first World Solar Challenge, held in 1987 across Australia. The Sunrayce focus, however, is not just solar energy, and certainly is not about "winning" per se, say sponsors. The Sunrayce mission is to emphasize learning and teamwork, and to inspire excellence -- all in the name of advancing technology "for a brighter future."
Michael Jennings -- The Auto Channel