Vehicle Specifications

1. Limit of 4 cars per school or organization.
2. The vehicle must be safe for contestants and spectators.
3. The vehicle must fit within the following dimensions:  30 cm x 60 cm x 30 cm
4. Decals of sponsoring organizations must be visible on the side of the car’s body.  A space of 3 cm x 3 cm must also be available on the side of the car where an assigned vehicle number can be placed.
5. Sunlight will be the only power source for the vehicle.  For racing indoors or on cloudy days, a battery holder for two AA batteries must be wired parallel to the motor.
6. Any energy-enhancing devices, like mirrors, must be attached to the vehicle.
7. National Junior Solar Sprint cars must be steered by a guide wire (fishing line) using one or more eyelets affixed to the vehicle.  It must be easily removable from the guide wire without disconnecting the guide wire.  Mini Solar Sprint Cars do not require a guide wire (or accompanying eyelets) as they use a shorter track and the cars are easier to control.
8. All cars must have a chassis that is three-dimensional.  Teams will not be allowed to bolt the axles and wheels of the car directly to the solar module.  The solar module cannot be used as the chassis of the car.

1. Double elimination bracketing will be used.
2. Open class winners are determined by the best speed per photovoltaic area.
3. Winners of each class will receive an award or prize.
4. National Junior Solar Sprint rules
   1. The track length is 20 meters.
   2. The lane width is 60 cm.
   3. The taut guide wire will be suspended approximately 0.5 to 1.5 cm above the ground.
   4. Winner will be determined by which car crosses the finish line first.
5. Mini Solar Sprint Rules
   1. Track length will vary depending on the track.
   2. There is no specific lane width, but cars must not interfere with each others’ performance during the race.
   3. Winners are determined by best speed per PV area, or which ever car remains on the track (and has gone farthest) when all others have stopped or run off course.
6. Participants are not allowed to interfere with their cars during the race for either class.  This includes pushing them off at the start or touching them while they are racing.