Published May 16, 2025

Students took part in the ultimate test of engineering and problem-solving skills as they raced their high-mileage vehicles to the finish line. After months of designing, building and testing vehicles for speed and fuel efficiency, teams raced their creations at the annual High Mileage Vehicle event at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet.

The event, sponsored by ChallengeUSA, brought together students from across the region to apply their knowledge of manufacturing and engineering. D214 teams competed against other local districts, as well as schools from Wisconsin and Iowa.

This year’s event featured 37 vehicles, both electric and gas-powered, with over 200 students participating. In addition to the race for the best mileage, students  competed for awards in vehicle design, braking, maneuverability and overall energy efficiency. The goal was to push the boundaries of what’s possible, challenging students to create more energy-efficient designs than today’s conventional vehicles.