The Shinerunners. Photo courtesy of MISD
Betty Dillard
bdillard@bizpress.net
The Ben Barber solar racing team of Mansfield, sponsored by Mouser Electronics Inc. for the second straight year, won the State Energy Conservation Award from the state of Texas.
The award, presented to the solar car team displaying outstanding engineering excellence, was presented at the conclusion of the Solar Car Challenge, a week-long race that began in Fort Worth and ended July 30 in Los Angeles. The Challenge includes driving time of approximately 880 miles, spanning Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California with check points, rest stops and overnight stays for the students along the way.
The team, which also received a special proclamation from the Texas State Senate, also finished fifth overall in the Solar Car Challenge in a field of 14 teams, who hailed from as far away as New York and California. Cristian Almendariz, a senior at Mansfield High School who was both an engineer and driver on the Ben Barber team, was presented the Marks Award as the Student Most Embodying Solar Racing Spirit.