HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Students put the pedal to the medal today for the annual Greenpower USA Toyota Classic. The race happening at the Milton Frank Stadium in Huntsville.
More than thirty middle school and high school students put their engineering skills to the test by using their F24 electric cars designed and built by them.
Our WZDX News reporter has a look at how students prepared for the race during the pandemic.
"We still get that jolt of excitement when we're doing this," says Challenger Eagles Middle School 'Apollo 51' Second Driver, Frank Rosler.
For many students, it's their first time experiencing the thrill. Students from Huntsville, Madison City and County schools, other parts of Alabama, and students from Georgia were there.
"I did all the design for both the cars. So I literally was, in the hallways cutting material and duct taping," says Liberty Middle School Car 8 & 31 Designer, Charlotte Alford.
Their most favorite part:
"Driving! Working as a team also," says the 'Legacy' Team from McNair Junior High School.
"It's important because if not everybody is chipping in, the project is not going to get done the way it needs to be," added Briyana McCraw, McNair Junior High School, Legacy Business Manager.
The goal is to drive for ninety minute using one set of batteries to see who can go the furthest distance.
"It's showing what kids our age can do, what their creativity in their hands, and how we can create something that doesn't use gas," says Liberty Middle School Car 8 & 31 Electrical Engineer, Hayden Anderson.
It took between two and a half months to five months to build their cars. However, students say they would experience some roadblocks due to COVID-19.
"It took so long to do one simple thing because we can only do one person in the hall at a time," says Anderson.
The Greenpower USA Toyota Classic is growing by the year. Leaders are looking forward to what's ahead.
"Before COVID, twenty-five events scheduled in the course of a year. The year before we only had fourteen. So, it's getting more and more popular, and we're just excited to see what it's doing across then nation," says Greenpower USA Foundation President & Race Director, Drew Sparks.