[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 23, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51301-51302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21504]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Sponsorship and Support for the 2001 American Solar Challenge

AGENCY: Golden Field Office, Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of sponsorship and support for the 2001 American Solar 
Challenge.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is announcing its 
intention to sponsor the 2001 American Solar Challenge, a solar-powered 
car race across the United States. DOE will support the American Solar 
Challenge by providing funding to New Resources Group, the race 
organizer, to support the planning, management, and conduct of the 
race. DOE will also conduct public

[[Page 51302]]

outreach and community relations before and during the race. Parties 
interested in co-sponsoring or supporting the American Solar Challenge 
should contact Dan Eberle, organizer, at Formula Sun, P.O. Box 30, 
Freeman, MO 64746, 1-800-840-5511 or [email protected].

DATES: The American Solar Challenge will be held July 15, 2001 through 
July 25, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth E. Adams, Contracting Officer, at 
303-275-4722, e-mail [email protected].

ADDRESSES: Copies of this Announcement, can be obtained from the Golden 
Field Office Home page at http://www.eren.doe.gov/golden/solicitations.html. Details on the American Solar Challenge can be 
obtained at http:/www.formulasun.org/ascindex.html.

Supplementary Information: Under this Announcement, DOE is announcing 
its intention to sponsor the 2001 American Solar Challenge (ASC). The 
ASC is a biennial, competition to design, build and race solar-powered 
cars. The ten-day, cross-country event will be held from July 15, 2001 
through July 25, 2001 and follow the historic Route 66, beginning in 
Chicago, Illinois and ending near Los Angeles, CA. Historically, solar 
car racing in the U.S. has featured exclusively North American post 
secondary (college and university) teams. However, the ASC has opened 
entry to schools, companies, universities, clubs and individuals 
worldwide. The American Solar Challenge will pit cars powered only by 
the sun's energy against each other in a competition that only the 
brightest, most creative and best organized team can be expected to 
win. At almost 2300 miles, it will be the longest solar car race in the 
world. Since it follows the old Route 66 and coincides with the 75th 
anniversary of that famous road, it will be a highly visible event and 
provide a dramatic, high technology, futuristic contrast to the 
nostalgic events surrounding the anniversary. In the past, sponsors of 
solar car races, both domestic and international, have received 
significant amounts of very positive publicity that has enhanced the 
sponsors' public image. This race has the potential to be the most 
visible solar car race ever. The mission of the American Solar 
Challenge is to promote and celebrate educational excellence and 
engineering creativity and champion the creative integration of 
technical and scientific expertise across a range of exciting 
disciplines. The mission includes the promotion of: (1) Renewable 
energies, specifically photovoltaics; (2) educational and engineering 
excellence; (3) environmental consciousness; and (4) public education 
and awareness of the potential of emerging technologies.
    Through sponsorship, DOE intends to support and encourage bright 
minds to succeed in the fields of engineering, sciences, mathematics, 
and multi-disciplined learning and to support public awareness and 
enthusiasm, both for educational excellence and for the technologies 
that emerge. DOE's funding support is expected to be $400,000 for the 
planning, management, and conduct of the race. DOE will also conduct 
public outreach and community relations before and during the race. In 
addition to DOE's support, New Resources Group is seeking co-
sponsorship and support for the solar-powered car race. Parties 
interested in co-sponsoring or supporting the American Solar Challenge, 
either financially or through donations, should contact Dan Eberle, 
President of New Resources Group and race organizer, at Formula Sun, 
P.O. Box 30, Freeman, MO 64746, 1-800-840-5511 or 
[email protected]. Parties interested in providing support to 
participating teams should contact the teams directly. A list of 
participating teams can be obtained from www.formulasun.org or 
contacting Dan Eberle at [email protected] or by calling 1-877-
840-5511 or 1-800-606-8881. Race regulations and route information for 
the American Solar Challenge can be obtained through http:/
www.formulasun.org/ascindex.html. For information on previous solar car 
races, access http:/www.sunrayce.com/sunrayce/.

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on August 16, 2000.
Jerry L. Zimmer,
Procurement Director, in care of Golden Field Office.
[FR Doc. 00-21504 Filed 8-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P