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Test Time For Hundreds Of Students Battling For Most Fuel Efficient Car

DETROIT (WWJ) - It's a roller coaster of emotions for students competing in the 10th annual Shell Eco Marathon at Cobo Center.

Tech Students Det (LBarthold)Bob Niessen is the adviser of a high school team from Evansville, Indiana battling to build a car that will go the farthest on the least amount of energy:

We've had some mechanical issues," said Niessen. "The track was pretty crowded yesterday so -- we didn't hit the wall yesterday - the track is thinner today and we still had a collision with another car. It happens. It's part of it."

Students from North and South American took part in the competition -- some working on cars for over a year before battling it out on a Detroit course.

"Over the competition it ranges from exhilaration to anxiety to exhilaration when they pass inspection -- to the first time they are on the track and they get the wave of the green flag to excitement to dejection if they haven't done well," said Chris Normile.

Normile's with Shell and worked all weekend in the cue line, helping kids prepare to get on the race track. Regardless of the outcome, most students were just happy to be at Cobo Center getting STEM experience ahead of college and their future careers.

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