Last Minute Advice

As we approach the 2026 Solar Car Challenge, I feel it is essential to restate two points:

(1) Teams must put a considerable number of miles on their solar car before they arrive at the race! It is crucial that you know the capability of your car. This includes getting experience driving hills!

This year’s "Cross-Texas Driving Adventure" goes through the famous Texas Hill Country. Your team needs to know if your solar car can attempt to drive these hills. Teams do not want to be caught on an uphill drive going less than 20 mph, and not having a road shoulder to load your solar car.

(2) The second key point is that your team needs to know what the hills will be like before you drive the course. This means acquiring topographic software that helps you understand the road ahead. The truly savvy solar car team will know which hills they are going to drive, and which hills they are going to trailer over!

Your team can earn an additional "Forever Mile" if you send an email stating that you have read and understand this Last Minute Advice. marks@solarcarchallenge.org

Preparing Your Team for the 2026 Solar Car Challenge

(1) Make sure you arrive at the race with a fully functional solar car. Teams are required to have their vehicles ready for Scrutineering at 8:00 AM on Thursday, July 16th. Teams not ready for qualifying will receive a penalty.

(2) Make sure your team has thoroughly reviewed the Scrutineering Booklet before you get to the Race. Ask your team to simulate Scrutineering by practice answering every question set out in the Scrutineering Booklet. https://www.solarcarchallenge.org/challenge/forms.shtml

(3) Invite your team to thoroughly review the Navigating Scrutineering Page on the Solar Car Challenge website: https://www.solarcarchallenge.org/challenge/scrutineering.shtml

(4) Make sure your team has studied the Policies & Procedures for the Race.
https://www.solarcarchallenge.org/challenge/rules.shtml

(5) Make sure your team has all the necessary documents and parent signatures before Team Check-In Wednesday, July 15th.

1. Solar Car Challenge Release of Liability
2. Texas Motor Speedway Release of Liability Forms (Adult or Minor)
3. Guidelines for Photographing/Filming
4. Hard copy of Team Drivers' Licenses

(6) Make sure your team has practiced their Oral Presentation so that it is well prepared, addresses your engineering decisions, and does not exceed the five minutes allocated to each team.

(7) Remember that only students can take part in the Scrutineering Process... not advisers or mentors. Make sure students have a complete copy of their Team Registration Packet for use during the Scrutineering Process, and that they are well acquainted with its contents. Judges may ask students to provide supporting documentation.

Attire during the Solar Car Challenge

The Solar Car Challenge is based on the philosophy of "cooperation rather than competition." Our event focuses on bringing teams together through the camaraderie of the solar car experience. In keeping with this philosophy, we ask that team attire, banners, and printed materials focus on their solar car team logo, "school pride," or school. No attire, banners, or printed materials will be allowed that seek to promote any political candidate or philosophy. Failure to follow this guideline will result in the team being disqualified from the event.

Rule 6.11 - Attire for all participants (including students, advisers, sponsors, chaperones, guests, and others participating or traveling with team) in the Solar Car Challenge must be appropriate. All participants must wear full-brimmed hats and closed-toe shoes throughout the event. Jeans are recommended for protection when working on the car and when kneeling on the ground. Shorts must be longer than the longest fingertip.

Meals provided on the Race

The Solar Car Challenge emphasizes the value in developing camaraderie between the teams. To help facilitate this, we are providing five meals during the race. Of course, you have to reach the Race Display Site no later than 7:00 PM.

Copyright (c) 1995-2026 Lehman Marks. All Rights Reserved. Solar Car Challenge, 3505 Cassidy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 Questions about the challenge? Contact Dr. Lehman Marks, Event Director