Racing with the Sun at EPCOT Center: GM's Sunrayce 1990

GM, having just won the inaugural World Solar Challenge, decided that rather than build another solar-powered car themselves, they’d sponsor three from the US. To find those lucky three cars, they’d hold their own race, named the GM Sunrayce USA, and it all started at EPCOT Center.

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Sources

Detroit Free Press
“GM helps students race for the sun” (Mar 14 1989)
“U-M solar car rides rays to top finish” (Jul 20 1990)

Battle Creek Enquirer
“WMU, Jordan College to build solar car” (May 2 1989)

The Kokomo Tribune
“Rose-Hulman students enter sun-powered automobile race” (May 28 1989)

Austin American-Statesmen
“North Texas students aim to travel light in solar-powered car race” (Jul 17 1989)

Lansing State Journal
“Solar Champ blazes way for Sunrayce” (Jul 25 1989)
“Racing on rays” (Jul 10 1990)
“Glowing home” (Jul 19 1990)
“Solar cars blaze trail to finish” (Jul 20 1990)

The Montgomery Adviser
“Solar-Powered Car Cruises Through State” (Jul 27 1989)

The Indianapolis Star
“Sunraycer a forerunner of 21st-century cars” (Aug 6 1989)

Star Tribune
“Some still looking to sun to run future cars” (Sep 24 1989)

Chicago Tribune
“How on trail of solar car” (Dec 17 1989)

Times-Press Recorder
“Sun Luis entered in largest solar-powered vehicle race” (Jul 6 1990)

Journal and Courier
“Solar car field eclipsed by overcast weather” (Jul 14 1990)

The Daily Oklahoman
“OU Team Finishes 16th in Solar Race” (Jul 9 1999)

Tallahassee Democrat
“They hope to race the best under the sun” (Jun 12 1999)

Arizona Republic
“GM’s Sunraycer wins solar-car race” (Nov 7 1987)

The Palm Beach Post
“Solar Car Travels 2,553 Miles Across Australia’s Continent” (Mar 20 1983)

[Loremastrful]

I attended that Sunrayce when it passed through Dayton Ohio. My fav was the Drexel Dragon. The cockroach design was the most efficient but I loved the ultralight canopy with solar array on top.

[bronxbearbud]

As a longtime viewer of this and other Disney vlogs, it's always a pleasure to visit here and actually find topics that surprise, delight and inform in ways for more intriguing than endless regurgitations regarding the "Secrets of the Haunted Mansion!" or the shocking history behind certain animatronics etc.

[jmissle]

I remember hearing about the sun race at Epcot back in the a child those cars fascinated me....Neat to come here and see that they still do that race....I do hope the speeds have picked up

[facelessmanxlt]

this is so dorky and niche and well done and i love it. great video.

[ChelseaBannister]

Another great video Rob! Your integration of Disney history and regular world history astonishes me every week. You need a Disney plus show with National Geographic!

[heero]

It is really amazing when you watch an interesting Disney History video only to see images of your home town and then finding out you actually where there to see it but don't remember it. (I was 2 at the time)

[harrisintheflesh]

Wow, its sort of weird to put a video about EPCOT on and have it link to my home town of little old Adelaide!

[wdwnutjm]

So cool!!! It's taken so long for solar and electric cars to become more "normal" and not just a novelty (we have solar panels, but not an electric car -yet). I'd love to see Disney have more to do with this!

[AverytheCubanAmerican]

I stayed in Warren a few months ago for a robotics world championship in Detroit. Didn't know that place had any fascinating history until now

[UmmYeahOk]

Don’t forget the solar powered van used in Honey I Blew Up The Kid. It sat at the boneyard for everyone riding MGMs backlot tour to see.

[maxcohen]

Never even knew this was a thing. A lot of these vehicles look cool as hell.

[JaycobFactor]

So glad this race is continued today! I was afraid they would've stopped it with electric cars being so prevalent today

[kbhasi]

2:42 Ford had a Model S before Tesla did?!?!?!?!?!

[koreainanutshell]

If you're reading the comments Rob, just know, I'm so glad you've got so many subscribers of late, your growth took much longer than it should've!! Have a great day :)

[evropaheart]

It's really nice to have a source of apolitical optimistic entertainment these days. Thank you.

[maddoxnine]

Allways like hearing about Australia bye I'm from Tasmania

[cheekyMarc]

Never thought Perth, Australia would get a shout out on the channel.

Also should have referenced Race the Sun movie with Halle Berry (The hawaii team briefly mentioned)

Keep up the great interesting videos,

[stevecorbett]

Excellent script and masterful editing. You've come a long way.🤯

[skoldmo]

lets name a race american when its only in one country out of three american continents.
great vid!

[JackDecker]

VIDEO TOPIC SUGGESTION: What would it cost per year for Disney World to feed all their employees? Something like a nice all-you-can-eat buffet. Reach out to Disney. They might have looked into this at one time. If not, I am sure you can find average cost of such buffets per person and crunch the numbers.