On Tuesday, Aug. 3, 14 solar powered cars will begin the epic journey from Independence Square in Independence, MO to Santa Fe, NM taking the route of the Santa Fe Trail in commemoration of its 200th Anniversary this year.

The cars will depart the northeast corner of the E. Maple Ave. and N. Liberty St. parking lot across the street to the north of the Independence Courthouse at 9:00 a.m.

The Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce has organized watch parties at three locations along the trail. These locations are: Raytown Christian Church at 6108 Blue Ridge Blvd., the Welcome to Raytown Water Tower at 9408 E. 63rd St. and Rice Tremonti at 8801 E. 66th St. Spectators are encouraged to be in place by 9:00 a.m. as the cars are anticipated to be passing through Raytown at 9:15 a.m.

The cars are designed, engineered and built by students from University of Kentucky, MIT, UC Berkeley, Iowa State, Illinois State, Illinois, Western Michigan University, Principia, University of Minnesota, Georgia Tech, Kaohsiung (Taiwan), NC State, Kansas University, Appalachian State.

Accompanying the racers will be technical compliance observer and Raytown native, Jim Martin.