The 2003 Texas Solar Race Car Event will be held on May 2^nd the 3^rd in San Antonio, Texas. The race is open to all Texas public and private elementary and middle schools, as well as not-for-profit youth organizations. This years event will include separate events for Elementary and Middle Schools. Elementary Schools will compete in a separate Solar Car Race Car. Middle Schools will compete in the Texas Region event for the "National Junior Science Bowl". This event will include (1) Academic Question and Answer Contest and (2) Solar Car Race. The regional winner of the Middle School contest will qualify to attend the "National" event to be held June 25 – 28 in Colorado.

Each elementary school or organization should have 1 car per every 3 team members. Middle School teams must consist of 4 members each.

1. Each vehicle may only use one motor and solar panel which must comply with the specification provided in Attachment 1. Note that any previous or new kit obtained from the Junior Solar Sprint vendor will comply with these specifications.
2. The vehicle must be safe to contestants and spectators, e.g., no sharp edges, projectiles, etc.
3. A space of 3 cm x 3 cm must be available on the side of the car where an assigned vehicle number can be placed.
4. The sun’s light is the only energy source that may be used to power the vehicle. No batteries or energy storage devices are permitted.
5. Any energy-enhancing devices, like mirrors, must be attached to the vehicle.
6. The vehicle must be steered by the track’s guide wire (e.g., 50 lb fishing line or string). The vehicle must be easily removable from the guide wire, without disconnecting the guide wire. Vehicles may be connected to the guide wire using one of the following:
1. Using a removable connecting device such as an eyelet attached to the vehicle
2. Using velcro attached to the vehicle. The guide wire will contain a permanently connected lightweight tube with velcro.
7. The vehicle must have a chassis that is three dimensional. The solar module cannot be used as the chassis of the car. Axles and wheels can not be bolted to the solar cell.

Photovoltaic Module. Six solar cells in series to produce an output voltage (Vmax) of not less than 2.76 volts @ 3 watts; the final determination shall depend on motor selection and availability.

• Module dimensions shall not exceed 5" by 13"
• Cells shall be mounted on corrugated plastic 0.125" thick, such as Cor Plast, and the cells encapsulated in a clear polymer, such as Crystal Sheen.
• Module shall weigh less than 110 gm.
• Connections to the cells can be at one end or both ends of the module. The leads should be as simple as solder tabs so that alligator clips can be used to make connections

Motor. 1.5 to 3.0 volts @ 3 watts (+5% or -0% on variability of performance).

• Shaft diameter 1.5-2.0 mm - 2.0 mm preferred.
• Motor diameter 25-35 mm.
• Current under 1 amp to 1.5 amps.
• Stall torque 125 gm/cm.
• Speed no load 5000 rpm.

Rules for the "Academic Question and Answer Contest" will be mailed out separately. The format for the Contest is as follows:

1. Each team consists of four students.
2. The contest will use a round robin format for the preliminary rounds and a single elimination format for the final rounds. Depending on the number of teams, the round robin format will consist of brackets where each team will play every other team in their bracket.
3. Two types of questions will be used: toss-up and bonus questions. A toss-up question may be answered by any member of either team that is playing, it must be answered correctly in order for a team to be offered a bonus question.
4. Competitions will be 8 minutes halves with a 2-minute break between halves.