Update @ 5;25 p.m. July 16, 2008: First, thanks to everyone for all the kind comments regarding the team's little mishap. The great news is that at last report, Solar Miner VI has an outside chance of reaching Sioux Falls tonight. The team members have pulled together to show how they can overcome adversity and continue to focus on the goal of running the race.
Below is an audio interview with Ray Luechtefeld, an assistant professor of engineering management and one of the team's advisors, from this morning's Omaha stop.
An electrical fire caused by overcharged batteries gave members of the Missouri S&T Solar Car Team a scare early this morning. But all team members are OK, and Solar Miner VI was scheduled to resume its participation in the North American Solar Challenge this morning.
The Missouri S&T team was spending the night in the basement of a Nebraska City, Neb., home and charging a set of auxiliary lithium ion batteries when the smoke detector went off at about 1:15 a.m. today. Team members called 911 and team safety officer Letha Young, a member of the Missouri S&T police department traveling with the team, retrieved a fire extinguisher from the team’s trailer. Young and other team members extinguished the fire before the Nebraska City Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene.
Six team members were taken to St. Mary’s Community Hospital in Nebraska City and evaluated for smoke inhalation. All six were released, and the team was set to resume the race at 8:08 a.m. from Auburn, Neb., in hopes of reaching Sioux Falls, S.D., by the end of the day.
Team members also notified race officials of the situation.
The fire occurred in the basement of the home of Bryan Kreifels of Nebraska City. Damage to the structure and contents amounted to $6,000, according to the fire department.
The batteries were used to power an on-board computer system that monitors the vehicle’s performance. The batteries were not part of the main battery pack that is powered by the vehicle’s solar cells.
I'm sorry to hear about the fire but glad that everyone is alright! Good luck. We will see you in Sioux Falls. Have a great, safe, and fast run today.
~Jeff Ferman
Michigan Solar Car Team
Glad to hear that you guys are back on track. Keep going Solar Miners!! Have a safe and fast trip ahead!! Cheers
Glad to hear everyone is fine and quick action saved house from more damage. Go Solar Miner IV. Good luck to all. Run the speed limit all the way to end.
I'm so glad everyone is ok, y'all are a wonderful team with a great car. Much love on behalf of the '05 Prin team!
While it will neither add to nor subtract from your problems, I thought you might want to know that today's Columbia Tribune says MU is bringing their hydrogen-powered car and team home today. Team captain says they now realize the car wasn't ready. According to the article they've spent 3 years and $100K on the car.
I am leaving at 6 AM tomorrow for Sioux Falls; see you there.
Good to hear that everyone is alright. All of the races always have there exciting moments. Keep hanging in there.
Good to hear everything and everyone is ok.
Good Luck
God bless all of you. I am glad no one was hurt. Good luck!
Good to know that everyone is alright.
Glad to hear that everybody was ok, and that the fire didn't hurt your race efforts! I just realized that Nebraska City was where I was bitten by a poisonous spider and had to spend some time at St Mary's myself in '05! Nebraska City is just a dangerous place for solar car teams! Good luck the rest of the way!