Greenville High’s Iron Lions Gear Up for 720-Mile Solar Car Race Across Texas

In just under a month, the Iron Lions solar car team from Greenville High School is set to travel to Fort Worth for the Solar Car Challenge Cross Texas. While many students are enjoying their summer break, the team has been hard at work in their workshop, refining and testing their solar vehicle, Aurora, which first raced at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge last September in Australia.

During that event, Aurora managed to complete approximately 500 miles of the challenging 2,000-mile course in the Australian Outback. The team is now applying the lessons learned from that experience to their upcoming race.

The competition kicks off at Texas Motor Speedway on July 16, where teams will undergo a rigorous three-day scrutineering process. This evaluation will ensure that each solar car, including Aurora, meets essential safety and performance standards, such as structural integrity, braking systems, and electrical requirements. Additionally, team members will present their projects and engage in Q&A sessions with judges.

Aurora is set to race in the advanced division starting July 19, navigating a demanding 720-mile route that includes stops in Palestine, Round Rock, Fredericksburg, San Angelo, and ultimately Fort Stockton. The Iron Lions will face off against five other teams, including the Poly Solar Car from Pasadena, California, which was the runner-up in last year’s advanced division.

Although the Iron Lions did not participate in last year's Texas event due to their focus on the Australian race, they have a strong track record, having secured second place in both the advanced and advanced classic divisions in 2024, and clinching first place in the advanced division in 2023.