Shown are members of the Wawasee High School Supermileage Team, chaperones and the two vehicles. The vehicle on the left is the team’s electric car. The one on the right is the internal combustion engine car that won the competition.
Shown in front, from left, are Cade Beer, Alex Martinez, Brylee Vanderveer Caleb Clevenger and Zek Keim. In back are Allen Coblentz, Scott Fox, Leo Wrage, Keegan Hurst, Allison Stookey, Lindsay Doss Jada carter, Harry Doss, Evan Bower, Jay Duncan, Braden Mickley, Nate Kryder, Nick Faurote and Mindy Coblentz. Photos from the Wawasee Supermileage Facebook Page.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

INDIANAPOLIS — Wawasee High School’s Supermileage Team has taken first place, again, at the 2022 Shell Eco-Marathon held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier this week. This is the fourth year the team has won top honors.

The team won first place in the Urban Concept Internal Combustion competition. A $1,500 prize was received and will be put back into the program.

The ICE car competed Tuesday and Wednesday on the Indy 500 track. According to Allen Coblentz, engineering and technology teacher, the competition is not only a timed event, but also obtaining the highest miles per gallon. “The goal is to complete the course in a set amount of time, using the least amount of energy – fuel or battery,” he explained.

Wawaseeblack, the ICE car, hit the track on Tuesday, which resulted in its best result of the competition, getting 619 miles per gallon on the first run, within the time limit. The second run was taken Wednesday morning before the rains began and the competition ending. That run resulted in only 589 miles per gallon.

Unfortunately the Wawaseewhite car, an electric car built this year by the students, did not qualify. While the car met the technical side of the competition, the size of the driver was too large, causing it to not meet the required technical inspection.

Allen Coblentz, advisor, holds the first place prize check.

Allen Coblentz, engineering and technology teacher, stated it could be said the school’s team technically is a four-year running champion in this competition. This is also the first event of the Shell Eco-Marathon since 2019. No event has been held since the outbreak of COVID.

The team of 15 students, and four chaperones, traveled to Indianapolis Sunday, April 10 for the start of a four-day event. The group returned Wednesday evening.

Coblentz explained the team number per team is limited and with a large class it is hard for all students to work on one car. By building two cars there is more opportunity for class members to participate.

During the event, the students did get an opportunity to meet NASCAR Cup Champion Joey Logano and get some photo opportunities.

Photos of team members and the event can be found on the Wawasee Supermileage teams Facebook page.