SunDay Challenge

Traditional car races have always insured public interest. The advent of new vehicles powered by solar and other energy sources have awaken the public.

Alternative energy vehicle races attract a broad audience.

Such races are an effective means to educate the public on the use of vehicles powered by energy sources other than gasoline or diesel. This new breed of auto rally showcases and promotes alternative energy vehicle technology for environmentally friendly transportation.

The first SunDay Challenge was held April 21, 1991, in conjunction with the annual Florida Solar Energy Center SunDay Open House to celebrate Earth Day.

Five vehicles attended the open house and participated in the rally. In 1999, over forty alternative energy vehicles participated in the two day long event that started at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa and concluded at Walt Disney World Speedway near Orlando.

The first half of the event was the rally that traveled west through cities and rural areas of Florida, allowing drivers to demonstrate vehicle handling, acceleration, viability and energy-efficiency as a commuter car. The second half was a track event where Formula Lightning electric vehicles reached speeds over 100 mph on Walt Disney World Speedway concluding the seventh annual SunDay Challenge.

By definition, an alternative energy vehicle is one that utilizes a primary power source other than gasoline or diesel fuel. This event has had participants with vehicles power by sources such as electric, solar, hydrogen, methanol. ethanol, fuel cell, and bi-diesel.

To reflect the various design orientations, the rally includes the following vehicle classes:

• Formula Lightning EV
• Commuter EV
• Tour de Sol
• University Solar Cross-Continental
• Hybrid
• High School EV Conversion
• Open Class

All rally vehicles must be registered "street legal" for use on U.S. roadways, be road worthy and carry appropriate insurance. All vehicles must pass the SunDay Challenge safety and class qualification inspection held prior to the event in accordance with event Regulations and Rule Book.

Some vehicle classes follow similar event rules. Drivers must have valid driver's licenses and follow local highway laws. Drivers receive a route map and driver's event manual at the time of registration.










Each year the event had a gracious host, which added to the excitement of the event. The Florida Energy Office of the Florida Department of Community Affairs has been the major sponsor of the event. Now, the event is a partnership with FSEC and the Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition.

Additional information on the SunDay Challenge:

• History
• Previous participants and results: 1999 and 1997
• Next event