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Emerald Coast Electrathon Classic

Emerald Coast Electrathon Classic 120 brings “quiet� cars to track

The roar of the engines at Five Flags Speedway on Saturday was replaced by the whirring of batteries.

Electric race cars “quietly� made their way around the half-mile track at the third annual Emerald Coast Electrathon Classic 120. The event is sponsored by the Gulf Power Engineering Society, the University of West Florida and Five Flags Speedway.

Nineteen cars were at the event from high school, college and open teams as far away as Miami and Helena, Ark.

The electric vehicles are built from a kit or from scratch and must meet design rules from the Electrathon America organization.

“The event is designed to get students interested in engineering fields,� said Vaughn Nichols, event director. “They have to do everything, from designing the car to driving it.�

The goal is not to build the fastest vehicle, but one that will continue operating for two 60-minute races. Some of the vehicles got off to a fast start, but at the end of 60 minutes, were barely moving around the track.

After the first 60 minutes, the teams have 2 hours to recharge their batteries and adjust their vehicles. Then, after the second 60-minute race, the winners are the ones who complete the most laps.

Andrew Stanley of Orlando won the Open division and the Overall title, by completing 130 laps in the two combined races. Kipp Delta of Helena, Ark., won the high school division and finished second overall. The University of South Florida won the College division and was third overall.

UWF finished second in the College division, while Brandon Yarborough of Milton High was third. His teammates, Kaitlin Holt was fourth and Jared Sutherland was sixth. Pensacola High also attended.

“This is the only Electrathon race east of the Mississippi River that races on an oval track,� Nichols said. “The other races are run on a road course in parking lots. It’s good competition and it’s a learning event. We keep growing each year.�

Results
Overall College

1. University of South Florida, 113 laps
2. University of West Florida, 92 laps

Overall High School

1. KIPP Delta, 128 laps
2. Milton (Brandon Yarborough, 107 laps
3. Plant City, 105 laps
4. Brandon, 104 laps
5. Milton (Kaitlin Holt), 104 laps
6. Milton (Jared Sutherland), 103 laps
   Overall Open
7. Electrocutioner’s, 130 laps
8. Silver Bullet Racing, 112 laps
9. Tiger Electrathon, 108 laps

Overall 1. Electrocutioner’s, 130 laps 2. KIPP Delta, 128 laps 3. University of South Florida, 113 laps 4. Silver Bullet Racing, 112 laps 5. Tiger Electrathon, 108 laps 6. Milton High (Brandon Yarborough), 107 laps

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