A team of students and an instructor from St. Clair County Community College competed in the Toyota Green Grand Prix in Watkins Glen, N.Y., on Friday, April 20, and Saturday, April 21.

SC4 was invited by Toyota to participate in the alternative energy vehicle competition. Toyota paid for SC4's entry fee and also donated $500 toward SC4's travel expenses.

The SC4 team competed in a 1991 Geo Metro, which was converted by SC4 students in March from a gasoline vehicle into an electric vehicle. SC4 alternative energy instructor Will Smith led the students. Smith also competed in his personal Toyota Prius vehicle.

The SC4 team took first place in the electric vehicle category, and Smith earned second place in the plug-in hybrid vehicle category. The two-day competition featured racing at Watkins Glen International Speedway and on a road course through the city of Watkins Glen.

SC4 students who participated in the trip were Charlee Hennick of Lexington, Frank Senger of East China Township, sisters Anna and Christina Thoen of Marysville, and Liz Wiczorek of Yale. Smith and his daughter, Courtney Cottrell, also raced. Also attending the trip was Bill Kahle, retired SC4 instructor.

The Geo Metro used in the race will continue to be used as a teaching tool for SC4 students.

From left, SC4 students Frank Senger of East China Township, Liz Wiczorek of Wales Township, Charlee Hennick of Lexington, sisters Anna and Christina Thoen of Marysville and SC4 instructor Will Smith and his daughter, Courtney Cottrell, pose Thursday, April 19, before leaving for the Toyota Green Grand Prix in New York.	SC4 student Frank Senger of East China Township drives the 1991 Geo Metro at the Toyota Green Grand Prix in New York.