CEDARVILLE, Ohio — A Grand Rapids native attending college in Ohio is hoping the junked Mercedes she helped transform into a racecar will be taking home the win this weekend.
Kennedy Southland, who graduated from Forest Hills High School, now attends Cedarville University. There, she's taking part in the Grassroots Motorsports $2,000 Challenge, where teams attempt to build functioning racecars with a $2,000 budget.
The Cedarville team is made up of six senior engineering students. Engineering professor Jay Kinsinger said the $2,000 budget forces students to stay creative and think outside the box.
The Cedarville University team first debuted in the Grassroots Motorsports Challenge in 2022, where they took 11th place. This year, they've got their sights set much higher.
"This year's team has poured their hearts into the project and we're optimistic about our prospects," Kinsinger said. "We're aiming for a podium finish."
The challenge's judges emphasize autocross, drag racing and a concours d'elegance when judging the racecars.
This year, the team started with a 1995 C-Class 4-door Mercedes that Kinsinger salvaged. The students had to make significant changes to turn the junked car into something competitive — including stripping it and redesigning its aerodynamics.
Now, the team is adding the final touches on their racecar.
"This project serves as a culmination of our seniors' engineering education, providing them with invaluable skills and experience," Kinsinger said. "We're grateful for the opportunity and remain committed to showcasing our creativity and dedication on the racetrack."
The students working alongside Southland are from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Missouri.
The Grassroots Motorsports Challenge is taking place Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7 in Gainesville, Florida.
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