Georgia Tech, ETS crown solar racing champions at Brainerd

Georgia Tech and École de Technologie Supérieure won the top classes at the 2026 Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix, which ended July 23 at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota. The event drew a record 39 teams and sent 19 teams on to the Electrek American Solar Challenge, a cross-country race that began July 25.

Why it matters: - The Formula Sun Grand Prix is the main qualifying event for the Electrek American Solar Challenge, so results at Brainerd shaped the field for the next stage of collegiate solar racing. - The event tested student teams on engineering, endurance and safety after thousands of hours of design, manufacturing and validation. - The 2026 race set a record for participation and brought international teams to a U.S. track for the first time in the event's Brainerd run.

What happened: - The Innovators Educational Foundation announced the winners of the 2026 Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix after the event ended July 23 at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota. - Georgia Tech won the Multi-Occupant Vehicle class. - École de Technologie Supérieure won the Single-Occupant Vehicle class. - The event ran for three days on a closed course. - The 2026 race was the first Formula Sun Grand Prix held at Brainerd International Raceway. - A record 39 teams entered the event. - 30 teams took the track during the week, according to Gail Lueck, event director and operations director for the Innovators Educational Foundation. - 19 teams qualified for the Electrek American Solar Challenge, which began July 25.

The details: - The Multi-Occupant Vehicle class emphasizes speed, efficiency, payload and passenger capacity. - Appalachian State University finished second in the Multi-Occupant Vehicle class. - Polytechnique Montréal finished third in the Multi-Occupant Vehicle class. - Iowa State University recorded the fastest lap in the Multi-Occupant Vehicle class at 52.1 mph. - The Single-Occupant Vehicle class rewards the most efficient and aerodynamic designs. - Delft University of Technology finished second in the Single-Occupant Vehicle class. - KU Leuven finished third in the Single-Occupant Vehicle class. - Delft University of Technology recorded the fastest lap in the Single-Occupant Vehicle class at 58.1 mph. - The Siemens Challenge was a $10,000 design competition focused on battery enclosure engineering. - University of California, Berkeley won the Siemens Challenge. - University of Florida finished second in the Siemens Challenge. - University of Minnesota finished third in the Siemens Challenge. - École de Technologie Supérieure won the Siemens Challenge's Coolest Design recognition. - Teams from the United States competed alongside entries from Canada, Belgium and the Netherlands. - All teams had to pass a multi-day technical and safety inspection process called scrutineering before taking part on track.

Between the lines: - The mix of podium finishes shows strong depth among North American and European engineering programs. - The record turnout suggests collegiate solar racing continues to grow as a hands-on pipeline for clean-energy and aerospace talent. - Brainerd's first year as host appears to have broadened the event's geographic reach without changing its core role as a qualifier. - Gail Lueck said the event gives students experimental learning that prepares them for future careers and helps sponsors meet and recruit them.

What's next: - The 19 qualifying teams move on to the Electrek American Solar Challenge, a multi-day cross-country event. - The 2026 ASC route follows the Great River Road and historic Route 66 corridor through the American heartland. - The American Solar Challenge is held every two years, with overnight checkpoints in host cities along the route. - The 2026 ASC is an Official Route 66 Centennial Project and a supporting partner of America250. - The Innovators Educational Foundation said more information is available at the organization's website.

The bottom line: - Georgia Tech and École de Technologie Supérieure left Brainerd as the class champions, but the bigger story is the scale of the competition and the pipeline it creates for the road race ahead.