Students set to hit the track in solar-powered race car

A group of students from the Sunshine State are revving the engine on their solar-powered racer.

The team from Plantation High School’s Solar Energy class will face off against other sun-fueled cars in the Dell-Winston Solar Car Challenge, which kicks off at Texas Motor Speedway on July 14th.

They took third place in last year’s race and are hoping to cross the finish line first this year.

Their vehicle, Solar Knights II, “goes green” in several ways.

It’s made of recycled parts from other vehicles, including the cabin of an ultra-light plane.

Solar panels on top of the vehicle charge a series of batteries, which then provide power to its motor.

It can reach a top speed of 40 miles per hour.