Sunseeker (solar vehicle)

In 1990, WMU's Sunseeker competed in the General Motors sponsored Sunrayce USA that ran from Orlando, Florida, to Warren, Michigan.

In 1993, GM was joined by the DOE, National Renewable Energy Laboratories and EDS to sponsor the solar challenge.

Sunseeker 95 took advantage of the excellent chassis from the previous race and built a new array, installed a new power train, refined the aerodynamics, and formed a new strategy.

Entered in the Open Class, again following Route 66, Sunseeker 03 captured 5th place in the race, sporting car number 786.

Each of the two CISIRO motors produce 6 horsepower, and enable the 600 pound (without a driver) car to travel at most 80 miles per hour.

This car was meant to be raced in the 2016 American Solar Challenge but didn't get to compete until the 2017 Formula Sun Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX.

In 2018 Farasi completed 163 laps at Motorsports Park Hastings for the Formula Sun Grand Prix and ran 52 miles of the American Solar Challenge under a conditional qualification.

In the spring and summer of 2021, the team completed the new car, dubbed Aethon, and competed in the 2021 Formula Sun Grand Prix, though they did not qualify for the 2021 American Solar Challenge.

Aethon is powered by a custom-built silicon-based solar array and propelled by a single Marand high-efficiency electric motor.

Aethon entered into the Formula Sun Grand Prix for 2022 and placed 8th, in the single-occupant vehicle class, out of the 13 teams who made it through scrutineering.

Aethon raced for the final time in the 2023 Formula Sun Grand Prix at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kansas.

Sunseeker 23 will be competing for the first time in July 2024 in the Formula Sun Grand Prix and the American Solar Challenge.

The 2024 Formula Sun Grand Prix will take place at the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Unfortunately, just 10 minutes shy of fully qualifying for the rest of the race one of Sunseeker 23's motor controllers shorted causing them to not quality at the first check point.

The team is proud of what they were able to accomplish during this competition and plans to bring the same car to next year's Formula Sun Grand Prix.