Penn College excels at Green Grand Prix

A dedicated group from Pennsylvania College of Technology posted a strong showing at the 2024 Toyota Green Grand Prix in Watkins Glen, New York.

The contingent – consisting of 10 students from the Penn College Motorsports Association and two faculty members – earned several awards at the recent event, held at the Watkins Glen International race course. The Green Grand Prix is a fuel-efficiency competition for alternate-fueled vehicles, hybrids and traditional gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. The event is meant to promote innovation in sustainable transportation technologies.

“It is the only competition where hybrid and alternate-fueled vehicles compete in an efficiency challenge as well as an autocross event that demonstrates the practicality and excitement that seemingly ‘normal’ vehicles can provide,” explained automotive restoration student Alex Riddle, of Kingston, Massachusetts.

The college’s entries ranged from electric and hybrid vehicles used in the school’s labs to some modified cars owned by individual students and David P. Showan, associate professor of automotive technology.

The Penn College honors were:

First place, Under 5 Cylinders: Andrew D. Simon, of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Justin M. Grosskopf, of Hanover. The automotive technology management students drove Simon’s turbocharged Mazda Miata.

First place, Modified Diesel: Nathan M. Manikowski, of Greencastle, and Matt D. Edwards, of Mountain Top. Manikowski, a polymer engineering technology student, and Edwards, majoring in automotive technology management, drove Manikowski’s vintage Volkswagen Caddy with a modern 1.8-liter VW diesel engine.

First place, EV SUV: Tony J. Plummer, an automotive technology management student from Mohnton, and Riddle, driving the college’s 2018 Chevy Bolt.

Second place, Gasoline Autocross: Simon, driving his Mazda Miata.

Most Number of Perfect Laps: Showan and Christopher H. Van Stavoren, automotive instructor and PCMA faculty adviser, driving Showan’s Tesla Model 3.

The Doris Bovee Award for best overall: Showan, driving his Tesla Model 3.

“The goal is to average 45 mph for each lap, while also trying to get the best average fuel economy,” Riddle said. “During the autocross portion, the goal is to complete a short, narrow course with the fastest time.”

Other Penn College participants included Caleb J. Albaugh, of Montoursville (automotive technology); Kyle W. Godin, of Allport (automotive restoration); Owen L. Junge, of Mertztown (engineering design technology); and Ethan T. Martin, of Freehold, New Jersey (collision repair technology).

“The Green Grand Prix is a great opportunity to show off the future of automotive technology and for Penn College to be a part of that change,” Riddle said. “We had a ton of fun seeing all the different interpretations of an eco-friendly vehicle and getting the opportunity to compete against some very serious competition.”

Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222 for more information.