Oh Canada
We played all night
I really hate to leave you now
But to stay just wouldn't be right.
-- Neil Young (again)
Well, Michigan won the race. Principia finished a game second. Missouri S&T placed seventh, behind Calgary. The Germans, Waterloo and Minnesota came in third through fifth in some order. (Iowa State and a bunch of others finished behind S&T.)
Tomorrow (Wednesday), the S&T team will already be on the road back to Rolla. Fortunately, however, they are taking a different and (probably) more scenic route back: thru Montana. Meanwhile, we are going to jump on a big jet airplane and fly to St. Louis via Chicago.
Calgary is a big city that reminds us of the Pacific Northwest, without the water. Flannel seems appropriate right now, even in July. The University of Calgary was home to some events during the Olympic Games. Today we saw the Olympic flame and the oval where speed skating took place.
We might get a chance to put some kind of fitting wrap on this blog tomorrow or in the coming days. Or maybe that would just be overkill? Right now, our solar brothers (and sisters? we need some female team members!) are busy contemplating and celebrating a successful journey from Texas to Winnipeg to Moose Jaw to Calgary. We're sure the stories they now have to tell will last until they're old and embarrassingly successful and new sources of energy are available to all.
I'm a Dad of a Minnesota Solar Car member. Congratulations on a successful race. It appears that just finishing is a great accomplishment. And as you have said, the experience of this race will last forever.
Congratulations and have a safe trip home.
Congrats on finishing the race and doing so well. I know that even finishing is difficult in such a long race.
-Matt UMR Solar Car 1996-1998
Congratulations on the adventure you have just completed. I came to see the cars at Plano Center. I was your last visitor of the day, rolling in on my Harley. I was pulling for you fine folks from my childhood home state. Was born and raised around K.C. MO, now living in TX. I still cheer for the Chiefs and Royals if they are not playing Dallas.
Your race shows there is a ray of hope for the future of clean energy. I so much enjoyed following the blogs. The camaraderie of all the teams was great as you all worked together for a great cause. You have proven that soon, someone like me could actually drive a solar car the 15 miles each way to work on only sun power. Recharging while my car sits in the parking lot.
Imagine parking thinking about staying away from the shade here in Texas.
Thanks for everything.
Congratulations on a race well run!
Thank you very nmch for your informations about the challenge with so much emotion.
My heart was with you.(after Bochum, as a mother has to do).
Much luck on your further way.
Congratulation on the race and on your blog. I'm the wife of a volunteer traveling with the U of Arizona team. I read your blog daily...it was fun to read. Since I taught third grade metrics..I chuckled at the P. S.
Good Luck to each member of your team...you have a wonderful life ahead of you!
It's beginning to look as if the only "race" is for who finishes second. I was impressed with both the appearance and performance of Ra7 (Principia). Since the Miners helped Principia get into solar car racing maybe it's time to call in a favor and take a closer look at what our friends in Elsah, Illinois are doing. I expect they'd be agreeable to that.
We had the opportunity to see most of the cars cross the finish line here in Calgary. The Solar Miner VI team members were first-class ambassadors of your university and you should all be very proud of their accomplishments. Even after the exhausting trip, the driver as well as the professors, were very helpful in answering our questions and even allowing my 10 yr old son to sit in the vehicle which as he put it was "so totally awesome". I certainly hope that more sponsors will get behind this amazing event and allow all the participants to shine even more. Congratulations and well done everyone and hope you come back to Calgary for a visit and see that it's not all flannel all the time.
Hey Guys!
Great Job! I have to confess that I made this site my homepage so that I could read about your progress first thing every time I was on the computer. I'm going to be a freshman in the fall and would LOVE to join the team (and of course... represent for the ladies)!!
Congratulations! I know this is quite an accomplishment; 2400 miles. Great job. I tracked you daily from here in Indiana. Had lots of fun in the office asking "Where's Purdue?"
Dad of Wes, 2003 Team
Hey guys - congratulations and thanks so much! We thoroughly enjoyed the race!