Purdue to host evGrand Prix 2021 championship race

WEST LAFAYETTE – Purdue University is gearing up to host the 2021 evGrand Prix, beginning Thursday (Sept. 16) through Saturday, September 18th at the university’s Grand Prix track, 1500 McCormick Road in West Lafayette.

Brenden Johnson is being pressed from behind on his way to winning the Purdue Grand Prix in 2019. (Purdue University photo/Rebecca McElhoe)

This competitive electric go-kart race brings high school and collegiate teams from all over the world. Racers build their own karts, tune the powertrain and chassis dynamics, and then put their carts to the test. The event also allows students to get real, hands-on experience with electric vehicles as well as training in a number of professional skills including marketing, presentation, community engagement, teamwork, and project planning.

The schedule for this year’s event is as follows:

  • Thursday (Sept. 16) after 1 p.m.: Collegiate & Autonomous
  • Friday (Sept. 17) after 10 a.m.: Collegiate & Autonomous (Race Day)
  • Saturday (Sept. 18) after 9 a.m.: High School

Additional information and previous year’s races can be found on the evGrand Prix site.

The evGrand Prix began in 2009 at Purdue when chemical engineering professor James Caruthers received a $6 million grant from the Department of Energy to expand electric-vehicle education through a competitive racing event. At Purdue, evGrand Prix is currently run by staff through the Office of Engagement.