South Texas Electric Car Competition 2019

UTRGV HESTEC Greenpower USA South Texas Electric Car Competition 2019

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley hosted the second annual UTRGV Electric Car Competition on Friday, April 5-Saturday, April 6 in front of the Biomedical Research and Health Building at the Brownsville campus. Twenty-five teams representing middle schools, high schools and colleges from across South Texas competed in this competition that uses excitement of motorsport to inspire students from primary school to university to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) studies.

The competition is coordinated by the UTRGV Office of Community Relations through the support of generous sponsors such as Tipton Auto Group of Brownsville, Brownsville Public Utilities Board and American Electric Power Foundation. Thank you to GreenpowerUSA, Coastal Bend Region Porsche Club of America Club and UTRGV staff, faculty, judges, race starters and volunteers for helping to bring this competition to the RGV.


Congratulations to the winners in the UTRGV Electric Car Competition

Middle School Division
1st - BISD Garcia Middle School
2nd - BISD Oliveira Middle School
3rd - BISD Faulk Middle School

High School Division
1st - Lamar Academy
2nd - South Texas ISD Science Academy (Maroon)
3rd - San Benito CISD San Benito High School (Girls)

College Division
1st - South Texas College
2nd - Texas A&M University Kingsville (TAMUK)
3rd - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
In the News
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Gallery
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Agenda
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Mission and Goals

Mission: To advance education in the subjects of sustainable engineering and technology to young people. Greenpower runs engineering challenges for schools based around designing and building a single seat electric powered race car.

Goal 1 – To change current views about engineering, presenting it as a fascinating, relevant and dynamic career choice for any young person. The project strengthens college and career readiness.
Goal 2 – To link education, industry and community through inspirational engineering projects.
Goal 3 – To demonstrate the importance of engineering, and associated STEM subjects, to solve the problems faced by societies today particularly in the areas of sustainability.
Goal 4 – To promote social inclusion through engaging with vulnerable and economically disadvantaged young people.

Race Locations:
Alabama, Utah, California and now Texas!
More advanced teams earn opportunities to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and/or the United Kingdom.

Please be advised that Rio Grande Valley schools/ universities are able to race outside the RGV and may obtain more information via https://www.greenpowerusa.net/Competition/Calendar


Cost Estimate

  • UTRGV Competition Registration Fee = $500 Cost covers competition, t-shirts, breakfast and lunch for up to 10 students and 2 coaches. Fee per additional team member is $25. Maximum team size is 15 students and 2 coaches.
  • F 24 Electric Car Kit = $4,995.00
  • Recommended Tool Kit (approximately) = $500


Program Agenda

Download a printable agenda here.

HESTEC Greenpower USA South Texas Competition (Day 1)
Location: UTRGV Brownsville Campus – Parking Lot B3 Behind the Biomedical Research and Health Building
Date: Friday, April 5, 2019 (Day 1)
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Teams arrive and report to check-in
9:30 a.m. Judges will prepare for teams
10:00 a.m. Team Presentations
Locations:
MS - LHSB 1.802
HS - BRHB 1.100
IHE - LSHB 1.928

Scrutineering
Location: Seating Area
12:00 p.m. Lunch
Location: Seating Area
1:00 p.m. Team Presentations & Scrutineering(same location as morning)
1st Safety Meeting (15-20 minutes) - Drivers must attend.
Location: Lunch Area
1:30 p.m. Practice laps (30-minute intervals)
Location: Parking Lot B3 - Race Area
4:00 p.m. All schools may leave as soon as they clean up their area




HESTEC Greenpower USA South Texas Competition (Day 2)
Location: UTRGV Brownsville Campus – Parking Lot B3 Behind the Biomedical Research and Health Building
Date: Saturday, April 6, 2019 (Day 2)
8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

MC for Opening Ceremony and 1st Race until 1:00 p.m.: Jolanie Martinez, KGBT-TV Channel 4
MC for 2nd and 3rd Races from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Michael Scott, KRGV-TV, Channel 5

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Teams arrive and report to check-in
9:30 a.m. Final Scrutineering
9:50 a.m. 2nd Safety Meeting (15-20 minutes) - Drivers must attend.
Location: Lunch Area
10:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony
Posting of Colors by UTRGV ROTC
National Anthem
Welcome Remarks by Veronica Gonzales, UTRGV
10:40 a.m. Parade of Teams begins
11:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. MS teams start lining up
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Race #1: MS Group (90 minutes) (Lunch for *Group B & C)
Race Starters: Nick & Sammy Tipton, Tipton Auto Group
1:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Group B teams start lining up
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Race #2: Group B (90 minutes) (Lunch for Group A)
Race Starter: Brownsville Mayor Tony Martinez
3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Group C teams start lining up
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Race #3: Group C (90 minutes)
Race Starter: Brownsville Public Utilities Board Representative
6:00 p.m. Results & Awards Ceremony
Emcee: Carlo Tamayo- UTRGV Associate Director of Outreach

Download a printable agenda here.

*Groups B and C will have both High School (HS) & Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) teams.


Returning Teams

If you are a coach for a returning team who competed at the 2018 HESTEC GreenPowerUSA South Texas Electric Car Competition, your team can compete with the car your school owns from prior participation. Returning teams do not need to purchase another car. If you are a coach for a returning team, please complete the following steps:

  1. Complete the UTRGV Competition Registration, which will be used to bill you the UTRGV Competition Team Fee, by Friday, January 25.
  2. Purchase tools from the List of Recommended Tools at your discretion. These tools can be found at your hardware tool store. Returning teams can also reuse tools from the 2018 competition.

 

Guidelines for Race Car Numbers

  1. All race cars are required to have a race car number approved by GreenPowerUSA, preferably at least 1 month before the competition race.
  2. Teams can request a new race car number by submitting a GPUSA New Number Request. Once a team submits request for a race car number, the team will receive a confirmation email confirming the race car number 5-7 business days from the date that the new number request was submitted.
  3. Race car numbers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. See link for current GPUSA Numbers Already in Use.
  4. Returning teams can keep their same number from previous year without needing to resubmit, unless the returning team wishes to change their number.
  5. Race car numbers can have 1-3 digits.


New Teams

Is it your team’s first time participating in HESTEC GreenPowerUSA South Texas Electric Car Competition? If so, please complete the following steps:

  1. Step 1. Complete the UTRGV Competition Registration, which will be used to bill you the UTRGV Competition Team Fee of $500, by Friday, January 25.
  2. Step 2. Order your F24 Intermediate Electric Car Kit via the options below. Please note that estimated shipping time is 6 – 8 weeks. For questions in regards to the purchase of the F24 Electric Car Kit, please contact Jacob Boyett, directly at Jacob.boyett@greenpowerusa.net or call (256) 428-8000.

    First, you must create a GreenPower USA Account online. After account has been created, please click GreenPowerUSA website to purchase your vehicle online. This account will also allow you to sign up for GreenpowerUSA newsletters.
    1. Order Option 1. If ordering less than three car kits, please order online at GreenpowerUSA Store (Payment methods accepted via this option include credit card, PayPal, and Purchase Order.)
    2. Order Option 2. If ordering more than three car kits, a $250 discount will apply per kit, per shipping location, only one shipping location possible. To order via this method, please contact Jacob Boyett directly at jacob.boyett@greenpowerusa.net to place the number of kits to be ordered and to receive the discount.
  3. Step 3. Purchase tools from the List of Recommended Tools at your discretion. These tools can be found at your local retail or hardware stores.

Guidelines for Race Car Numbers

  1. All race cars are required to have a race car number approved by GreenPowerUSA, preferably at least 1 month before the competition race.
  2. Teams can request a new race car number by submitting a GPUSA New Number Request. Once a team submits request for a race car number, the team will receive a confirmation email confirming the race car number 5-7 business days from the date that the new number request was submitted.
  3. Race car numbers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. See link for current GPUSA Numbers Already in Use.
  4. Returning teams can keep their same number from previous year without needing to resubmit, unless the returning team wishes to change their number.
  5. Race car numbers can have 1-3 digits.


Resources

GreenPower Shop
Note: Teams can buy parts from other resources, GP Shop is not necessary to purchase parts needed.

Race Regulations

Required Tools

Siemens Solid Edge Resources.

GREENPOWERUSA F24 Technical Inspection Form

Team Video and Presentations Car Race Rubric

UTRGV Brownsville Campus Map

Sample Electric Car Competition Roster