Governor Steve Beshear took a turn behind the wheel of the UK Solar Car during a visit to campus Thursday, October 2.

 Following a news conference with UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. concerning scholarships funded by the Kentucky Lottery, the governor met with Dean Thomas W. Lester, members of the Solar Car team and faculty advisor Scott Stephens, a professor of mechanical engineering. Team members provided a briefing on the operation of the car and its recent completion of the North American Solar Challenge, a 2,400-mile race from Plano, Texas to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The governor then climbed into the car and drove it on Administration Drive from the Student Center to the Main Building and back. Asked how the car handled, the governor said, “Great!”

Gov. Beshear told the team he enjoyed following news about them as they completed the 10-day race in mid-July. He said the team had brought much positive attention to the university and to the Commonwealth.