About Us
Our
Mission
At Florida Polytechnic Phoenix Racing Team, our mission is to redefine solar car racing. We believe that sustainable transportation solutions are the future, and we are committed to pushing the boundaries of solar car technology. Our team is passionate about designing and building solar cars that are not only fast, but also sustainable. By competing in solar car races, we hope to inspire others to embrace sustainable transportation solutions.
As a pioneer race team, it is our job to make history every day...
...So let's add to that history, together.
Spring 2022
The Florida Polytechnic University Solar Car Racing Team was founded with the goal of designing and building solar cars to compete in the American Solar Challenge and the World Solar Challenge. The team is made up of dedicated students, faculty, and staff who are passionate about sustainable transportation solutions and solar car racing.
Spring 2023
In 2023, the Florida Polytechnic Solar Car Racing Team completed its first solar car. Spark P1, the first prototype the team designed and built. While they did not compete with this car, the team gained valuable experience and knowledge that would be used to improve future solar car designs.
Fall 2023
In the fall semester, the team focused on designing a race-ready solar car. The team took inspiration from the completed prototype and focused on improvements that could be made. They worked on improving all aspects of the car. These improvements would help the team compete more effectively in future races.
Spring 2024
After completing the design phase for significant components of Spark Mk1, the team began fabrication. With just under seven months until the competition, our team had to work diligently to meet deadlines. The team put in long hours of dedication and drive to get the car to be competition ready.
Summer 2024
In July 2024, the team brought Spark Mk1 to the 2024 Formula Sun Grand Prix in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This was the first competition that the team had competed in. Coming into this race, our car had only 13 miles of testing completed. Despite the limited testing that had been done, Spark Mk1 was able to place 7th out of the 20 teams that got out on the track!
Fall & Spring 2025
During the fall semester, the team took all of our learnings from competition, and went with a clean sheet approach for next year's competition. Manufacturing began in early spring, and lasted until mid-summer. Our team put in countless hours to make sure that our car was completely finished prior to competition and even had some time to spare for shakedown and telemetry testing.
Summer 2025
FSGP 2025 was the teams second year of competition. We finished all scrutineering by the midpoint of day 2, which awarded us Pole Position for the SOV (Single Occupant Vehicle) class. Using that advantage we were able to maintain pace and reserve a spot on the podium with 3rd place out of 26 entries in our class. We were also awarded 'Most Improved Team' by the officials.
Fall 2025
Despite placing 3rd at FSGP 2025, there was still work to be done. In September the team began working on Spark Mk2.5, focusing on an improved battery pack, aeroshell, and suspension. On November 11th, the management team had the privilege of being guest speakers for the Lakeland Rotary Club, outlining the teams achievements, goals, and struggles. Overall, The fall semester was a huge pivot point for the team, prioritizing the reconstruction of project focus and teamwork to ensure we remain a winning team.
Spring 2026
Spring 2026 marked the beginning of the manufacturing phase for the Spark Mk2.5 as well as the beginning of the design phase for our future project car.
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