July 31st, 2021
The American Solar Challenge is set to launch on Monday, August 2. In past years, OCTA has partnered with the American Solar Challenge and National Park Service to stage this unique race along the Oregon Trail, and we look forward to doing that again in 2022. But first, college students from around the world will drive their hand-built solar-powered vehicles along the Santa Fe Trail from Independence, Missouri to Santa Fe and back to Las Vegas, New Mexico in August 2021. The schedule is as follows:
Mon, Aug. 2:
Public viewing of the cars on Independence Square from Noon to 7:00 pm
Tue, Aug 3:
Start in Independence, MO at Independence Square at 9:00 am
Checkpoint in Council Grove, KS at Council Grove Jr-Sr High School from ~12:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Stage Stop in McPherson, KS at Midway Motors from ~2:15 – 8:00 pm
Wed, Aug 4:
Stage Start in McPherson, KS at Midway Motors at 10:00 am
Checkpoint in Dodge City, KS at the Boot Hill Museum and Convention & Visitors Bureau from ~12:45 pm – 4:30 pm
Checkpoint in La Junta, CO at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site from ~3:45 pm – 6:00 pm
Thu, Aug 5:
Checkpoint in La Junta, CO at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site (continued) from ~9:00 am – 3:15 pm
Fri, Aug 6:
Stage Stop in Las Vegas, NM at West Las Vegas High School from ~10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sat, Aug 7:
Stage Start in Las Vegas, NM at West Las Vegas High School at 9:00 am
Loop out to Santa Fe, NM (passing through Santa Fe Plaza but not stopping from ~10:30 am – 1:00 pm)
Finish in Las Vegas, NM at Las Vegas Plaza from ~12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
For more information, visit the American Solar Challenge website.
