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Austin Shines as Starting Line for Solar Race
The longest solar car race in the world and the first to cross an international border starts from the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum on July 17. The North American Solar Challenge (NASC) features solar-powered cars designed, built and raced by students on a 2,500-mile voyage from Austin that ends in Calgary, Alberta on July 27.
The University of Texas’ entry is among the 40 cars on display July 16 in the parking lot across the street from the museum, located at 1800 N. Congress Avenue.
NASC cars, powered solely by sunshine, cost an average of $200,000 to build, with some nearing a $1 million price tag. The solar cells range from $5,000 to $150,000.
Drivers race from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., sometimes covering more than 350 miles a day and reaching 65 mph. However, teams must comply with posted speed limits. They must also remain cautious of their stored energy to compensate for cloudy days, as managing energy consumption has proven a key factor in the outcome of the competition.
The race follows the route of US Hwy. 75 and the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy. 1) with checkpoints in the US including Austin, Fort Worth, Broken Arrow, Topeka, Omaha, Sioux Falls and Fargo, N.D. The Canadian checkpoints are Winnipeg, Brandon, Regina, Medicine Hat and, finally, Calgary.
For more information about the challenge visit www.americansolarchallenge.org.
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America’s Best New Chefs ‘05
Food & Wine
(July 2005)
“Tyson Cole, Uchi, Austin, TX: Why: Because he’s managed the seemingly impossible task of combining a traditional Japanese sensibility with thoroughly American audacity. The result: food that’s utterly delicious and wildly inventive.”
Andy Roddick: Making A Racket
American Way
(May 15, 2005)
“I just love the vibe there. You have everything: It’s one of the most active cities in the U.S. in terms of outdoor activities, it has a great live-music scene, and it doesn’t have the ‘scene-y-ness’ of New York or L.A. You have a bunch of hole-in-the-wall bars where you can just blend in. It’s fun.”
Why Everyone Loves Austin
Financial Times (U.S. Edition)
(May 7, 2005)
“Then there’s Austin’s live music scene. Visitors arriving at the airport are greeted by signs saying ‘Welcome to the Live Music Capital of the World.’ The city hosts two important music festivals each year—South by Southwest and Austin City Limits—as wells as a constant stream of live acts in its downtown clubs. The city council listens to a live band during its session breaks, and Will Wynn, the mayor who keeps a guitar in his office, says he wants music to be the city’s selling point.”
Read more Austin in the Media
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New Hours at Austin Visitor Center
