12:30 pm: After 2500 miles from Austin, Texas to Calgary, Alberta, the University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project finshed in second place by 11 minutes overall in the 2005 North American Solar Challenge. We would like to thank all our fans, friends, families and sponsors that made this finish possible. It has been a fantastic journey and we appreciated all your support throughout. Thanks for the great comments on our site.
8:00 am: After last night's penalty appeals, Michigan has regained the lead and Minnesota will be starting second today. Look for GPS updates as the rayce begins at 8 and a final update on the standings once the team reaches Calgary. Thanks for all your support, we have the best fans bar none!
Hail Big Ten!!! We rule the rayce!
hi5!
Posted by: __earth | July 27, 2005 at 12:53 PM
Absolutely marvelous! High fives all around! I don't know when we'll know exactly how close this is, but let's not let those results diminish what we've all witnessed these past 11 days (and then some).
No second-guessing... the past 2 some years beginning with the very first meeting about a new car design culminating in this incredibly exciting event with such a strong, tight finish is indeed a momentous achievement to savour.
As a mom, I'm exceedingly relieved that we have arrived safely at the finish. And as Laurie said, UMN did so in world class fashion.
Your online crowd is roaring with applause and praise. Enjoy the ceremonies!! We look forward to awesome coverage wherever we can find it.
(It's killing me not to be able to be there in person.)
Posted by: Photo Mama | July 27, 2005 at 12:57 PM
Well done, Minnesota, Well Done!!!
Borealis 3 is the fastest, most efficient, and most economical solar car in the world!
Come on home and we will celebrate your outstanding performance!
Shout out to all the friends, family, alumni, solar car cronies, and great competitors who make this sport shine!
- Charles.
Posted by: Charles Habermann | July 27, 2005 at 01:04 PM
unless the team is sick of free barbequeues (they've had a few on this rayce) I think all the parents and alums should put together a welcome home celebration for this great team! And let's find some sponsors to get this car to Australia!
Posted by: Matt Haupert | July 27, 2005 at 01:07 PM
Congrats on running a great race, UMN. Wish I could have been there to see the finish... I'm sure it was thrilling to watch.
Glad to see you have continued the fine tradition of Solar Raycing at Minnesota (this comes from someone who still hs a UMN shirt from Sunrayce 99!)
Posted by: John Hensler | July 27, 2005 at 01:39 PM
Wow, so close. You have a lot to be proud of, kids. You put it together and ran a good clean race. It says alot for your team
that you didn't get all those penalties. I know it is hard not to be first when you have worked so hard, but you have a great car and coming in second is a great big deal! We are always so proud of our Minnesota kids. Your the best!!!!!
Posted by: Karen Jensen | July 27, 2005 at 01:39 PM
great job guys. a 1st place would have been nice, but 2nd isn't too shabby. we built a great car and we should all be proud of it
Posted by: Adam Hrpcek | July 27, 2005 at 01:41 PM
Bravo team! Enjoy! Relax! We're all beaming!
Posted by: Bob Meinz | July 27, 2005 at 01:47 PM
M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A
Minnesota
Minnesota
Go....... Gophers!!!
Great job guys! I followed it the whole way. I wish I could be there.
Posted by: lazer | July 27, 2005 at 01:57 PM
P.S. Our heart rates and blood pressures are slowly but surely returning to normal. Whew!
Posted by: Bob Meinz | July 27, 2005 at 02:02 PM
Great job, team! All of us in Omaha enjoyed following your progress. You can be very proud of your accomplishment in the adventure of a lifetime!
Posted by: Omaha Gophers | July 27, 2005 at 02:13 PM
Great finish, Wonderful performance!
I second what Charles says, sounds like a marketable product...
to be continued!
Posted by: Dan Evanson | July 27, 2005 at 02:25 PM
Congratulations Gophers!
Excellent work, everyone. Be proud of this!
Posted by: Alex Murphy | July 27, 2005 at 02:33 PM
Way to go Gophers!! No matter what the standings read, you're number one in our books. Just an outstanding rayce by all teams. I think the BBQ for the team, families and supporters sounds like a great way to celebrate. Looking forward to the teams return. Again, congratulations to all.
Posted by: Peter's Family and Fan Club | July 27, 2005 at 03:14 PM
Team B3,
Congratulations on a great race!!
2nd place is great (maybe 1st place next time).
You all did a great job, and kept us alumni hanging on the edge of our seats (following on our computer screens)!
Thanks for doing Minnesota proud.
Dan Bisila, Aurora I
Posted by: Dan Bisila | July 27, 2005 at 03:21 PM
You all should be very proud of your accomplishments! Remember that the winners of this event are not necessarily those whose car came in first. Rather, the winners are the people who learned the most by virtue of their efforts. It seems that you've made great use of your resources, time and talents! Congratulations!
Posted by: Frank Williams | July 27, 2005 at 03:27 PM
Great race for the Golden "sun" Gophers. We are so proud of the team, the car, and the effort. But most impressive of all was the incredibly positive spirit and attitude. What a great group of future innovators and leaders!
Pat & Kathy Huelman
Posted by: Pat Huelman | July 27, 2005 at 03:44 PM
I love the U of MN So La Ka team so much, I think I will marry it!
Awesome job team! This site has been an amazing way for all of us alums to live vicariously through and relive our own glory days of raycing. For that, Thanks. I am so proud to have been apart of this program. What more can be said? Oh Geez, I am welling up with tears and at work...crap!
I gotta go get some kleenex. Nice job one more time and I cant wait for you guys to get back and tell us all the great stories of this rayce.
Posted by: MIkeyJ | July 27, 2005 at 04:02 PM
Borealis III Team,
I would like to extend a hearty congratulations to all of you for your efforts and achievements, particularly your outstanding performance and finish in NASC!!!
Posted by: Jason Havemeier | July 27, 2005 at 04:30 PM
To the B3 team,
You guys did a great job, and it doesn't matter how you finished; it is whether if you gave it your best in the race that only matters to me. I have not seen the B3 yet, make sure when you guys get back, don't forget to show it on campus. I am sure there are plenty of people who can't wait to see the car and meet the people behind it.
Posted by: Jerry Wang | July 27, 2005 at 05:14 PM
Borealis III Solar Team,
What a great rayce and a job well done. Thanks for giving us an exciting 10 days of raycing. We would like to sponsor some sort of food/beverage to a great team with a lot of class. Get back to us.
Posted by: Cliff & Deb Bienert | July 27, 2005 at 05:16 PM
As a Michigan team parent--and MINNESOTAN--I heartily congratulate the Borealis III team on an outstanding effort. Although you did not finish first in this race, your accomplishments brought wonderful attention to the University of Minnesota that can reap benefits for many years to come. Everyone in the Gopher state is proud of you!! Thanks for making this a truly memorable experience for all involved!
--Donna Adams (mom of Michigan driver from Minnesota)
Posted by: Donna Adams | July 27, 2005 at 05:21 PM
Congratulations to the whole crew, those on the race and everyone else who put time and energy into getting them there! Certainly the fastest car ever out of Minnesota and one of the best in *the world*!!!
Posted by: Greg | July 27, 2005 at 06:37 PM
Well, I want a bumper sticker that says "Proud parent of a U of Minn Solar Car Team." I have been bragging about you all to my friends for days — and will continue to do so. Well done!
It was a total thrill to watch as this project progressed and to see all the cool pix on the web site and be able to track the team's progress all the way up North America.
Posted by: Merry (Tom's Mom) Whipple | July 27, 2005 at 07:21 PM
B3 Team,
Absolutely amazing job! Bt all accounts you executed on the design, contruction, integration, test, and racing better than any U of MN solar car team before you. All of us who have been there before are in awe of your accomplishments.
11 minutes between 1st and 2nd! This has to be the closest finish in the history of solar car racing. You guys where not beat at all; that's a tie. Your solar car and your team rank up there with the greats of all time!
I hope you guys go to Australia.
Todd Colten
Aurora 4
Posted by: Todd Colten | July 27, 2005 at 09:12 PM