1997 Mizzou Sun Tiger II

Decreasing aerodynamic and frictional drag was another high priority for the engineering team. By inverting the body shape of SunTiger I, the second prototype was subject to less aerodynamic resistance. The team also added an increased solar array area for greater energy collection. A new braking system incorporated bicycle rotors and motorcycle hydraulic calipers on 20” 48 spoke rims with city slick tires set at 120 psi. SunTiger II technology was further improved by the implementation of a wireless telemetry system that gathered real-time performance data from the Solectria DC Brushless motor during the race for optimum efficiency. Having already competed in a Sunrayce, team members were better aware of what racing conditions would be like. In June of 1995, the new design finished with an elapsed time of thirty hours shorter than SunTiger I and averaged almost twice the speed.  Mizzou took 10th place out of thirty-eight collegiate competitors.

Sun Tiger I competed in SunRayce 95 which took place June 20-29, 1995 and featured 38 university teams traveling from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Golden, Colorado.  Design, fabrication, and testing of the team's first prototype solar vehicle allowed insight into a much-improved second Mizzou solar car. The second generation saw improvements through weight reduction, increased aerodynamics, and better information gathering technology implanted within the vehicle for real-time performance updates. The second design, Sun Tiger II, set a 30% decrease in overall weight in comparison to the first prototype.  The design targeted the shell construction, utilizing magnesium tubing for the frame, and more efficient batteries with higher energy density. With a total weight of 701 lbs, the design goal was nearly reached in dropping more than 230 pounds.