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UT Team Prepares for Longest Solar Car Race in the World |
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Photo: Jennie Trower |
Members of the UT Solar Car team await the results of one round of
"scrutineering" at the Texas Exposition Center. The car must pass several
inspections before it can qualify for the race. This particular inspection focused on the upper body of the car, which is made of carbon fiber and protective shell laminates.
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Photo: Jennie Trower |
Vivek Barve, an electrical engineering senior and one of the drivers, checks the steering column from inside
the vehicle as Tom Schipper, aerospace engineering senior, looks on.
Several drivers will take turns in covering the 2,500-mile course. |
 Photo: Jennie Trower Click on photo for high res image. |
Dr. Gary Hallock, professor of electrical engineering and faculty advisor for the team, reviews the car's latest inspection results with Seil Oh (left), electrical engineering senior, and Thomas Deconinck (center), a graduate student in aerospace engineering. |
 Photo: Jennie Trower Click on photo for high res image. |
Dr. Hallock takes a look as the car is prepared for another inspection. |
 Photo: Jennie Trower Click on photo for high res image. |
Copper BB's are used as ballast. Each driver must weigh approximately 176 lbs. The difference in weight for lighter drivers is made up with the BB's, which are carried in a box behind the seat. |