Essner brothers achieve solar-car fame

You can't keep 'em on the farm once they've discovered solar energy.

The Kelso natives brought pride to their rural hometown and to the University of Missouri-Rolla by helping win the American Solar Challenge last week, racing their Solar Miner IV from Chicago to Los Angeles in 51 hours, 47 minutes and 39 seconds. The second-place finisher, University of Minnesota, crossed the line a full five hours later.

Scott, who graduated UMR last spring, drove the final leg of the race as a farewell to the experience. His younger brother just began his college career last year, which means he'll have a lot of time to devote to UMR's solar-car team in the coming semesters.

The ride couldn't have been comfortable. One person squeezes into a driver's seat below a wide, flat solar panel that maximizes power intake.

But the Essners sacrificed comfort -- and countless hours of their time during the design phase -- for greatness.

They deserve our congratulations and applause.