The countdown is on for this year’s Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP) collegiate solar car track event, swiftly followed by the Electrek American Solar Solar Challenge cross-country race. In just one week, teams from universities worldwide will put rubber to track at NCM Motorsports Park, competing to complete as many laps as possible on nothing but solar energy.
The event is open to the public and free to attend! It kicks off on July 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and goes through July 17-18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As a refresher, the Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP) is an annual event that usually serves as a pre-qualifier for the biennial American Solar Challenge cross-country race when it takes place. The 2024 Electrek FSGP will take place at the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where students will go head-to-head in a grand prix-style event all about speed, efficiency, and endurance. About 33 teams from colleges from around the globe will participate in single or multi-occupant vehicle classes.
This year, FSGP will serve as a pre-qualifier for students to prove that their solar vehicles have what it takes to trek a rigorous 1,500+ mile journey from Tennessee to Wyoming. The 2024 Electrek ASC will occur directly after the FSGP on July 19.
The ASC and FSGP are organized by the Innovators Educational Foundation (IEF), a 501c3 non-profit providing hands-on, multidisciplinary learning opportunities for college students. Last year, Electrek announced the signing of a five-year title sponsorship agreement with the IEF, which will guarantee funds to host the yearly races through 2028.
EVs, solar power, collaboration, sustainable transport—this is what we’re all about at Electrek!
Other 2024 Electrek ASC/FSGP sponsors include Tesla, Altair, MathWorks, and in previous years Blue Origin, which have long used the event as prime recruiting grounds.
Here is the full schedule via ASC/FSGP:
- July 13-15: Scrutineering at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, KY, where teams undergo rigorous inspections to ensure their vehicles meet all safety and design standards. Scrutineering includes checks on electrical systems, battery protection, mechanical integrity, and overall compliance.
- July 16-18: Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP), a three-day track event at NCM Motorsports Park. Teams will compete to complete as many laps as possible within 24 hours of driving time. Each day features 8 hours of racing, with teams utilizing solar power to achieve maximum efficiency and speed. The FSGP serves as a qualifying event for the ASC, testing the roadworthiness and performance of each solar vehicle.
- July 19: Bridgestone Display Day and practicality judging at the Adventure Science Center in Nashville, TN. This event is open to the public and allows spectators to view the innovative solar cars up close, meet the teams, and learn about the technology behind these cutting-edge vehicles.
- July 20-27: The main event, the Electrek American Solar Challenge, will take teams through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming. The journey is designed to test the endurance and efficiency of the solar cars as they travel portions of 7 National Historic Trails – Trail of Tears NHT, Lewis & Clark NHT, Santa Fe NHT, Pony Express NHT, Mormon Pioneer NHT, California NHT, and Oregon NHT – and Route 66. Check out the American Solar Challenge Route Map for the full list of stops to catch the cars in your city.
We’ll continue to post updates as the events go underway!
Note: The Formula Sun Grand Prix is not in any way associated or affiliated with the Formula 1 companies, FORMULA 1 racing, or the FIA Formula One World Championship.