Some unusual-looking vehicles will be traveling into the Springfield area this week. They’re part of the American Solar Challenge. KSMU’s Michele Skalicky has more on the race and how you can see the cars and meet the teams that made them.
The American Solar Challenge started Friday in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It's a competition to design, build and drive solar-powered cars in a cross-country time/distance rally event, according to its website. The race will stop at Republic High School and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield today and tomorrow (8/2-8/3).
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield superintendent Ted Hillmer said, in all, the race will cover about 2000 miles with up to 20 cars participating.
"And we're excited because they get to stop here, and people locally--the greater Springfield area--have an opportunity to actually come by and see these cars and talk to the students and see how they made them," he said.
Wilson’s Creek is one of nine National Park sites the race stops at this year, and Hillmer hopes people will take advantage of this unique opportunity.
"We want people to come out and just enjoy those, and if you're interested in seeing the cars, that's great or if you're interested in technology or just talking to the different students that are throughout the United States with their different cars, please come by and enjoy them," he said.
You can view the cars and talk to team members today (8/2) from 4 to 8 pm in the Republic High School parking lot. There will also be various local organizations with booths to share information about their sustainability efforts.
Tomorrow morning (8/3) at 9 you can watch the cars start up to drive the tour road before heading to their next destination: the Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas.
The national parks are included this year to celebrate the 100th anniversary year of the National Park Service.
Learn more about the Springfield area stop here or by calling 732-2662.
