By Kristal Ngo
Staff Writer
PHOTO COURTESY/ HelioTech
Beneath the blazing Texan sun, beads of sweat glisten on the necks of HelioTech’s Cruizer team as their vehicle’s wheels meet the asphalt, testing their fortitude in the race toward first-place at the Solar Car Challenge from July 20 to 23. Competing against 25 teams in the Cruiser Division at Texas Motor Speedway, the vehicle turned sunlight into energy and victory. Over the course of four race days, covering a total of 375 miles, the team claimed five trophies and the title of first-place.
“The competition was stressful, especially when keeping track of the battery and the amount of power we’re using,” team co-captain, junior Isaac Chan said. “Seeing the car beat last year’s record and comfortably drive on the track made me feel that our efforts and countless nights working were worth it.”
In HelioTech, students learn about engineering, car components and teamwork by building solar-powered vehicles. The 2024-25 year was HelioTech Cruizer’s first competition year, and featured 17 students from all grade levels. The team had three captains, alumni Alex Lin, Isaac Chan and junior Jasmine Lee, whose roles included coordinating meetings and agendas. Vinson Bell, Jeff Garner, Maria Garner, Johnny Lee and Steve Lam were the leading advisors.
“Being part of the team was a great experience to meet so many different people, providing many opportunities to learn hands-on life skills,” senior, composite member Jedidiah Pang said. “The style of the team this past year was taking the process one step at a time.”
HelioTech has two teams: Advanced and Cruizer. Unlike the Advanced team car, a one-seater, the Cruizer car is a four-seater designed for the Cruiser Division, where they earn points from the number of laps completed multiplied by the number of passengers. The Classic Division emphasizes speed, while the Cruiser Division focuses on endurance and distance.
During the three-day scrutineering portion before the competition, the team faced seven stations to test safety. In motorsports, scrutineering is the inspection process for the entire vehicle. However, on the final day of racing, the circular track of the course caused the rear axle to break.
“The team was able to repair it and get the car back on the track within about two hours,” Jeff Garner said. “All the judges were amazed, and I was very impressed. The kids just took over, figured it out, and did it.”
HelioTech aims to inspire awareness for the future of advancements in solar energy technology. This upcoming year includes making the Cruizer team a space for members to hone their skills before specializing and working on the Advanced team’s car.
“Pushing our car to its limit was a defining moment of our journey, and seeing the car fly by was definitely a highlight for the team,” Lin said. “The results we received were reflective of the work and effort we put in all year. It was well deserved.”