UND's hydrogen-fuel-cell racer is humming north of the border thanks in large part to Canadian hospitality.

As it has for much of the 2,600-mile North American Solar Challenge so far, UND's Subzero IV H2 hydrogen-powered car experienced technical difficulties when the big race resumed Sunday in Winnipeg.

Wiring problems and a cracked rear suspension forced the car to be hauled by trailer from Winnipeg to Regina, Sask.

The UND crew stopped at a visitors center on the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border where they put out a call for local help. The visitors center staff was more than accommodating, according to UND team advisor Scott Tolbert.

"They said, 'Yeah, we can get somebody out here to fix it.'"

So, late Sunday night, a local welder and his son came out and performed the needed repairs.

"He wouldn't even take any money for it," Tolbert said. The team insisted the man at least sign the UND car.

Tolbert said that, as of Monday night, the UND car was working as well as it has since the team left the starting line July 17 in Austin, Texas.

"We're up and running," he said. "The car is running great and we're averaging about 40.1 mph."

UND's car is considered a demonstration model in the race made up of solar-powered vehicles. Subzero runs on hydrogen, which the team picks up at points along the race route.

About 40 cars started the competition, but many have dropped out or been disqualified for exceeding the race's 65-mph speed limit. Race organizers are using the UND car as a test to develop rules for a hydrogen-vehicle class of racers in the future.

UND and the other racers are on their way to Medicine Hat, Alta., where they will regroup and start again for the final leg of the race to the finish line in Calgary.

They're following Canadian Highway 1, the Can-Am Highway.