Solar Car Challenge
The Solar Car Challenge is an annual solar-powered car race organized in Texas for high school students. The event attracts teams from around the world, but mostly from American high schools. Originating as a class competition held in 1989, the first official race was held in 1995. Each event is the end product of a two-year education cycle organized by the Solar Car Challenge Foundation, a non-profit. The venue of the race typically alternates annually between being cross-country races which start at the Texas Motor Speedway and track races taking place solely at the speedway. Currently, this means that track races take place on even years and cross-country races on odd years, but occasionally consecutive track races are held which disrupt this pattern. Most recently, in July 2025, the race took place around Texas Motor Speedway, with a cross country race across the state of Texas scheduled for July 2026.
History
The Solar Car Challenge is an educational program aimed at engaging high school students in designing, building, and racing solar-powered vehicles. Established in 1989 by Dr. Lehman Marks, the challenge promotes science, engineering, technology, and green energy solutions among youth. Originally a classroom project, it has grown into a national competition featuring closed-track races at the Texas Motor Speedway and cross-country races across the U.S. The event collaborates with organizations supporting STEM education and renewable energy.The 2007 The Solar Car Challenge was featured on CNN affiliate KLTV. The Solar Car Challenge was named one of America's 10 most innovative education programs by Business Wire in 2003.
On July 2025, The Solar Car Challenge had their 32nd annual Solar Car Challenge at the Texas Motor Speedway.