Seattle, WA, USA--(Jobwerx News)--Next generation solar powered vehicles to race from the United States into Canada.

The production is a special edition competition to design, build and race solar powered cars. The UM Solar Car Team qualified for the North American Solar Challenge during the Formula Sun Grand Prix held at Heartland Park Raceway in Topeka, Kansas, USA. The UM team will now advance to the North American Solar Challenge from the United States, starting in Austin, Texas on July 17th, entering at the Pembina/Emerson port of entry and finishing in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on July 27th using solar energy technology to power their vehicles.

The 2005 race sets a new standard for length; at 2500 miles, it beats the 2001 and 2003 races by more than 100 miles and is still the longest solar car race in the world. This race will also have the most teams from outside the United States; 10 of the 40 teams registered are from Canada.

Alcoa Fastening Systems (AFS) is sponsoring the production of a next-generation solar vehicle at the University of Michigan (UM) for the North American Solar Challenge.

AFS a business unit of Alcoa, is a leading worldwide designer and manufacturer of fastening systems, specialty fasteners, components, and installation systems for aerospace and commercial product assembly. Dozens of AFS associates around the world have provided their time and expertise to help the UM students manufacture a solar car with an exciting, lightweight and aerodynamic design. AFS has contributed more than 130 varieties of thousands of fasteners representing the latest in fastening system technologies to Momentum, the solar car designed by UM students. The specially selected AFS products increase the strength and durability of the vehicle while reducing its weight and assembly time.

"The Alcoa fasteners provide Momentum with a lightweight, yet safe solution to our production needs," said Michael J. Brackney, project manager. "The innovative design of the fasteners also has significantly cut down our maintenance time."

The partnership enables AFS to invest in the study of renewable energy technologies, environmental consciousness and educational excellence in tomorrow's workforce.

"Alcoa Fastening Systems is proud to collaborate with the University of Michigan to promote a greater understanding of solar energy technology and its environmental benefits," said Olivier Jarrault, president. "This partnership enables Alcoa to help prepare the next generation of engineers and scientists as this competition demands creatively integrating expertise from various disciplines in order to compete."

NORTH AMERICAN SOLAR CHALLENGE (NASC) cars must be powered solely by sunshine. The racers use photovoltaic solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity to power their cars. Weather and energy management play important roles in the race. The cars usually travel at highway speeds and are required to obey local speed limits, but in general, the sunnier the day, the faster and farther the cars can run. Brighter days also allow the cars to “fill up” their batteries for cloudy or rainy days.

The UM team has won three national championships and has placed third twice in the World Solar Challenge. Placing in the North American Solar Challenge in July will enable Team Momentum to compete in the World Solar Challenge held in Australia in September. This particular event in July is a special edition of the American Solar Challenge.

Other Teams include universities from Auburn to Yale, as well as companies and organizations from around the world will also compete.

Participating Teams

· Auburn University · CalSol · École de technologie supérieure · École Polytechnique de Montréal · Electron Analytic Corporation · Georgia Institute of Technology · Illinois State University · Iowa State University · Kansas State University · Massachusetts Institute of Technology · McGill University · McMaster University · Michigan State University · North Dakota State University · Northwestern University · Prairie View A&M University · Principia College · Purdue University · Queen's University · Red River College · Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville

· Stanford University · Texas A&M University · Tufts University · University of Arizona · University of Calgary · University of Kentucky · University of Michigan · University of Minnesota · University of Missouri - Columbia · University of Missouri - Rolla · University of Pennsylvania · University of Texas at Austin · University of Texas at El Paso · University of Toronto · University of Utah · University of Virginia · University of Waterloo · University of Western Ontario · Western Michigan University · Yale University

The United States Department of Energy (DOE), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are premier sponsors of the event.

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