The Solar Car Team held its first annual Cars and Treat’s auto show Oct. 26 from 3-5:30 p.m. in the CTE hall parking lot, adjacent to the PTSA’s Trunk or Treat event. While this was the team’s first autumnal show, the organization regularly hosts a spring car show in April.
“We have put on a spring car show for a couple years now and weather is always in question,” team sponsor Matthew Karlson said. “We had to delay it last year due to weather and that cost us entrants due to other shows in the area on the new date. One of the volunteers last year said that fall car shows are popular too, so we thought it would be a neat idea to pair it up with the Trunk or Treat event at East.”
There were over 20 classes for the participating cars to compete in, and the awards were handed out according to voting from spectators. There was also a special “Best Dressed” award for the car with the most creative and well-executed spooky decor.
“I love Halloween, so I just went all out with decorations,” competitor Lisa Johnson, whose gray Jeep was decked out with caution tape, giant fuzzy spiders and fake body parts, said. “I would honestly love to do more with the decorations if I had the doors and top off on my Jeep.”
The entry fee for the competing cars was $25, and there was also a 50/50 raffle available to show goers. The event’s profits serve as a major fundraiser for the team; while the total cost of building a solar car varies, the general range of expenses is between $12,000-15,000.
“The money we raise today will all go towards the team, mostly buying parts to build the car for our next race,” team captain Zetyn Becerra said. “We have until next summer to work on the car, giving it upgrades and making it completely reliable. There’s a lot we can do.”
The 1st and 2nd place awards for each class were announced at 5:30 p.m. Competitors Benji and Pam Gibson took home the most awards of the night, including first place in the Vintage Car category and Best in Show.
Last summer, the Solar Car Team received the title of National Champions in the Advanced Classic Division, completing 524 laps at the Texas Motor Speedway. The team hopes to achieve similar results at the Solar Car Challenge’s cross-country race across Texas next summer.
“We have a great team, and it has grown this year so we are looking forward to another spectacular season,” Karlson said. “The students that choose to be on the Solar Car team are learning advanced electronics, welding, engineering and design, aerodynamics and problem-solving skills that will give them a leg up in life.”
