2024 Competition
For the First Time in School History, Benton Central Supermileage Team Takes First Place at State Competition On a sunny and windy Saturday, May 11, 2024 the BC Supermileage team took to the track in their 14th consecutive year competition. 17 dedicated students traveled to the Subaru of Indiana Automotive test track in Lafayette to put their designs to the test against schools from around the state. Benton Central competed in the gasoline prototype, EV prototype and power sports racing divisions. Each BC entry competed at a high level, and one came out on top. The EV prototype vehicle piloted by Madeleine Bloemker and guided by crew chief Coleman Hord and assistant crew chief Keith Dillman edged out all other electric vehicles to win the class. The vehicle registered an astounding 2630.32 MPGe average while maintaining a minimum speed of 15 MPH. For perspective, using the amount of energy contained in only 1 gallon of gasoline, the team’s vehicle could drive from Benton Central to Los Angeles, turn around and drive to Las Vegas, then drive back to Los Angeles. Benton Central fans showed out, bringing a large contingent to the track to cheer on the team. In addition to parents of the team members, industry representation from the teams sponsors were in attendance as well. Representatives from Adkev Inc., Rock n Dirt Excavating, and Useful Products all came to engage with the students and watch them execute at a high level. The race was also attended by a number of former BC Supermileage Crew Chiefs and crew. Benton Central was the first team on track with both their gas prototype and electric prototype ready to roll right off the truck. This speaks to the team’s preparedness and planning leading up to the event. Having a clear track allowed the drives to get a feel for the conditions and learn how to navigate the wind gusts that registered over 20 MPH at points during their runs. Katie Troyer went out first in the gas prototype. This was her 4 th year of driving for the team, and her experience proved beneficial. She and her crew chief Peyton Porter were able to steadily improve the efficiency of the car throughout the day, logging 3 qualifying runs with a high run of 897.73 MPG. She was tracking to break the 900 MPG mark on run 4 when the car stalled with less than a mile remaining in the run. Katie was able to diagnose the problem before the car even made it back to the pits. She determined a vapor lock had occurred in the main fuel line. Unable to make on track repairs, she returned to the pits. With time running down, and the heat of the day setting in, the team turned to back up driver Johnathan Douglas to get another qualifying run in. John worked hard to keep himself mentally and physically prepared while sitting on the sidelines, and now was his chance! He was able to fire the engine on the first pull and was maintaining perfect 6 MPH – 20 MPH burns. His time through the first split was spot on perfect. Then there was a very strong gust of wind, and one of the other competitor’s cars rolled on the track and was trapped upside down. The students walked away without a scratch because of the robust safety requirements of the competition. But, unfortunately for John, his run was red flagged and would not count. This was the end of the day for 6A, finishing 3 rd in the gasoline prototype division. When car # 8, the Benton Central EV Prototype that took 2 years to develop, enters the track instead of the roar of an engine, you simply hear the quite hum of a hub mounted electric motor and the vehicle comes to life, accelerating aggressively off the line due to the high torque output of the electric drive system. Madeleine Bloemker took car #8 out on the track early in the day, and made more runs than any other driver in the contest. She drove the prototype 36 miles over the course of the day with no mechanical or system failures. This in itself was an amazing accomplishment for a car in its first competition. During testing at the BC track, Madeleine and her car were able to consistently achieve 2600+ MPGe runs, so when she came in from the first run at just over 1900 MPGe, the team was disappointed. But, Madeleine quickly turned that disappointment into determination and got back out on the track. She steadily improved the car throughout the day to finish with a high run of 2,659.22 MPGe and average of 2,630.32 MPGe. This was the best performance by a BC car/driver ever, shattering the old record of less than 1000 MPG and placed the team on the top step of the podium in 2024. The event is a true team effort to get the prototypes on track. Thanks to Sam Bowman and Ryland Winchester for keeping lap time for the prototype vehicles. Shout out to Quinn Foster and Austin Riley for maintaining lap counts and communicating them via marker board to the drivers. Credit goes to Dakoda Hattendorf for prepping the cars for technical check in track side. Huge credit to Ben Foster for being an exceptional driver assistance on the day. He ensured the drivers were hydrated, fed, and cool during breaks. For the first time, Benton Central dove into the work of motorsports during this year’s competition. Electric racing go karts were part of the contest for the first time this year and they were a hit, with 12 karts hitting the track. Teams designed and constructed the go karts from scratch. They were provided 60 ft of steel and all necessary components and then were turned loose to research and design their racers to the best of their ability. The kart team of Kolby Schwartz, Keith Dillman, Dakoda Hattendorf, Beau Boehle, Arianna Arredondo, Emma Hord, Sam Bowman, Ethan Shieler, and Clayton Leuck were able to produce a vehicle in a few short months that competed admirably on race day. The team started by placing 5 th in the pit stop challenge which required a team of 5 crew members to jack up the car, change a sprocket, chain, tire pressure, and driver as fast as possible. They were able to pull all this off in less than 4 minutes. The team placed 5 th in the slalom challenge after working for several hours in the pits modifying the karts after determining their turning radius was too wide. An impressive about of team work, sweat, and determination went into getting that kart back out to the slalom and able to pass the event. Then came the time trial which was a road course style timed race. The team again placed 5 th out of 12 karts. Each drive, Arianna, Kolby, and Keith each had to drive during the time trial in a relay style event. One driver would finish a 3 lap run, then the next would jump in and take off. It was an incredibly exciting and entertaining race to spectate. Last was the drag race, where despite our drivers exceptional reaction times the car did not perform. It was set up for the other events and was slow in a straight line. A huge thank you to Clay Boehle from Rock n Dirt Excavating for volunteering his time with the kart team. He was the mentor lead on the team and helped the students produce a kart that is an absolute blast to drive. The team is looking forward to building two additional karts for the 2025 competition. Without our great sponsors, Benton Central would not be able to participate in this state-wide competition. We would like to extend a special thank you to Adkev Inc. and Rock n Dirt Excavating, LLC as this year’s primary sponsors. Both made substantial contributions of funding and volunteer hours to the team. Additional major contributors are Useful Products, Mainstream Fiber, Drug Plastics, ZF North America, Wabash, and Engineering Innovation, Culvers in West Lafayette. Thank you as well to 3D Machine, Arconic, Holscher Products, Stu Jones Amsoil, and BC CAAP. The generosity of these groups allows for the continued success of the Benton Central Supermileage Team, provides scholarships to our seniors, and allows for potential future expansions. An additional thank you must be extended to Mr. Craig Locker, instructor at Greater Lafayette Career Academy, and the Future Builds Powersports Competition for organizing and sanctioning the event. They put countless hours into providing this opportunity to our teams, open their facilities for other teams to build their vehicles, and host the technical inspection and pit stop challenge. The team advisors are Benton Central Teachers Jon Woessner and John Weitlauf. The club is run as an extracurricular activity. If you are interested in sponsoring the team, please visit our website listed below or reach out to John Weitlauf at jweitlauf@benton.k12.in.us.
2023 Competition
Despite a last minute track change, rain, sleet, snow, hail, 2 drivetrain failures, and an engine ignition failure, the Benton Central Supermileage team was able to persevere and bring home their first podium finish in the team’s 13 year history.
This year’s race was initially slated to be held at the Subaru Indiana Automotive 2 mile test track, but due to a last minute production problem, SIA and the Supermileage Competition Committee were forced to move the race to an alternate location. The race was held at Wea Ridge Elementary and Middle School, winding through the 3⁄4 mile road course that surrounds the school campus. This is the first time the BC team would be competing on a road course. In the past, the event was always held on an oval. The winding road, hills, and changing road surfaces posed new and exciting challenges to the team which they met with enthusiasm and a can-do attitude. Because of the nature of the track, the team’s high run fuel economy was down from previous years, coming in at about 817 MPG, with an average fuel economy of 552 MPG on qualifying runs.
It took real tenacity to qualify in this year’s competition. The day started out cool, bright, and
sunny. The conditions were ideal. After the morning technical inspection, team meetings, and track walk all conditions were still exceptional. After the first run of the day, which did not count as the car was too slow (intentional to learn the track), the winds picked up and the radar got spotty. There was little concern. Then around lunch, before the team was able to get in a qualifying run, Indiana did its thing and it started raining, then sleet, then snow, then hail. The track was soaked, the crew was wet and cold, and the team toolbox was blown over in the wind scattering the tools all around the
pits. Some would have just called it a day, but not the Benton Central Bison. After the weather stabilized, the team crew chiefs and drivers walked the track to assess conditions and determined it was safe to resume competition. The next three runs were plagued with problems primarily due to the conditions. They were aborted because of a drive train failure, another rain shower, and an engine that just would not start.
Fatigued and needing to recuperate, the team’s primary driver, Katie Troyer, turned the wheel over to Madeleine Bloemker, the alternate driver. Madeleine had never competed at an event and had limited time on track in practice sessions. Despite this, Madeleine rose to the occasion and drove the team to its first podium finish. She completed her first run at over 600 MPG and hopes were high; however, the clock was ticking. The team only had 40 minutes to get a second run in to qualify for the
event. Madeleine went back out on track without even stopping for service in the pits (hot lap) and on the initial burn coming out of the starting grid, hit the same nearly invisible crack in the concrete that Katie encountered earlier in the day and caused the same drive train failure. The car was brought back to the pit box by the track safety team, and the BC crew went to work. A real team effort led by Kolby and Kaden Schwartz got the car repaired and back on track with just enough time for one more shot.
Everything in the final run was going well until lap 4 of 8, when Madeleine radioed to the crew that the engine would not shut down. In order to achieve such high fuel economy the engine is frequently not running when the car is moving. The team knew this was bad news for their MPG numbers, but also knew they had to stay out on track. There was no time for another attempt. Madeleine hustled around the circuit to bring the car in and assistant crew chief Cameron Rossiter shut the engine down by pulling the spark plug wire. Thanks to solid timing and communication from Sam Bowman and Peyton Porter on lap count and timing, the run finished with no time to spare, and met all of the criteria for a qualifying run. The team had done it; they qualified for the event, and knew their numbers put them in solid contention for a podium finish.
It was not a foregone conclusion that the team had won 3rd place at the award ceremony, so when the announcement was made, the cheers from the large BC crew were booming. The team’s ability to work together to put the car and driver in a winning position was what brought it home for BC this year. The win was especially meaningful for the team, as they dedicated the win to their late crew chief and driver Madison Hall, who passed away alongside her parents earlier this year in a tragic accident on their way home from Charleston Speedway.
The team was led by crew chief Bodin Fellure, assistant crew chief Coleman Hord, and assistant crew chief Cameron Rossiter. Team social media was developed and managed by Arianna Arrendondo and Bodin Fellure, and team website managed by Bodin Fellure and Clayton Leuck.
Without our great sponsors, Benton Central would not be able to participate in this state-wide competition. We would like to extend a special thank you to Adkev Inc. as this year’s primary
sponsor. Additional major contributors are Mainstream Fiber, Drug Plastics, Culvers in West Lafayette, ZF North America, Useful Products, Wabash, and Engineering Innovation. Thank you as well to 3D Machine, Arconic, Holscher Products, Stu Jones Amsoil, and BC CAAP. The generosity of these groups allows for the continued success of the Benton Central Supermileage Team, provides scholarships to our seniors, and allows for potential future expansions.
The team advisors are Benton Central Teachers Jon Woessner and John Weitlauf. The club is run as a co-curricular activity.
2022 Competition
The Benton Central Supermileage Team had another great year at the track on May 7th. This year, the event was held at SIA in Lafayette on the two-mile oval test track typically used for testing brand new Subaru vehicles rolling off the assembly line. The Benton Central cars drove a total of 72 miles on the day, and set a new school record high run of 925 MPG. BC’s car number 6A achieved that high run, and an average fuel economy of 875 MPG, also a school record. BC finished just outside the top three again this year, and has set their sights on making the podium in 2023. Next year, the organizers of the event plan to expand the event and include teams from all over the Midwest. This will allow BC students an excellent opportunity to compete at an even higher level for years to come. In addition to having an exceptional race day, the team was able to develop some new partnerships in the community to support the team’s financial needs. Mainstream Fiber, Drug Plastics, and Culvers were new sponsors on the year, and their contributions made a significant impact on the team. These generous donations helped to purchase the necessary equipment and supplies to operate the team as well as help to fund the Benton Central Supermileage Scholarship. This scholarship is provided to 1 – 2 seniors on the team that choose to pursue a career or degree in a STEM-related field. The team was able to award one scholarship this year to crew chief Madison Hall. Madison will be studying Agricultural Education at Purdue. In a short 4 years she will be starting her teaching career (and maybe starting a Supermileage team of her own).
This year the team competed with two cars, 6A & 7A. 6A is a car that has seen competition before, but was significantly modified to increase efficiency for 2022. It utilized a full carbon fiber over foam chassis, Honda GX-25 four-stroke engine, dual disengagement power train, jack shaft, and custom engine plate machined by 3D Machine in Goodland, IN. The canopy of the car was constructed from lightweight aluminum and crystal clear heat shrink plastic. The car weighed in at 84 lbs. without the driver. New to the design this year was custom designed and student fabricated Delrin drive sprockets, carbon fiber guarding and wheel skirts, and rear strobes among other things. Car 7A was a new entry in the competition, and a radically different design. It was the only car to use single front wheel steering, like a tricycle. The car was designed in this manner to prevent tire scrub when cornering, and therefore increase fuel economy. 7A was constructed in a similar manner to 6A and performed admirably averaging around 760 MPG.
This year’s drivers were Madison Hall (7A) and Katherine Troyer (6A). The new 925 MPG record was set by Katherine, unseating Madison’s previous record of 787 MPG. Katherine was assisted by her Assistant Crew Chief Bodin Fellure on her record-breaking run. The leadership team consisted of Madison Hall, Bodin Fellure, Keith Wilson, Kitzia Barron, Connor Brown, and Isak Glotzbach. Bodin and Isak, also served as spotters on race day, keeping the drivers safe and providing direction on the track. The leadership team did a great job pushing the team to perform while still maintaining a fun and exciting atmosphere. Without our great sponsors, Benton Central would not be able to participate in this state-wide competition. We would like to extend a special thank you to Mainstream Fiber, Drug Plastics, Culvers in West Lafayette, ZF North America, Useful Products, Engineering Innovation, and Adkev Inc. These companies have been major supporters of the team. Additional thanks to 3D Machine, Arconic, Voestalpine, Wabash National, Holscher Products, Stu Jones Amsoil, BC CAAP, and the 100 Mile Rib and Chop House. The generosity of these groups allows for the continued success of the Benton Central Supermileage Team. The team advisors are Benton Central Teachers Jon Woessner and John Weitlauf. The club is run as an afterschool extracurricular activity.
2019 Competition
It was another exciting year for the Benton Central Super Mileage Team who traveled to Indianapolis on April 29 to compete in the Engineering/Technology Educators of Indiana (E/TEI) Super Mileage Engineering Design Challenge at Lucas Oil Raceway Park. In addition to competing and achieving a school record for fuel economy, the students in the club were award a grant from ZF North America to continue the mission of the supermileage challenge and promote STEM education.
This year the supermileage event hosted teams from around the state, totaling 400 participants. Benton Central finished 4th in division 1. First year driver Madison Hall set a new school record for average and high run with an average fuel economy of 767 MPG, and a high run on the day of 787 MPG.
In addition to exceptional vehicle performace, the team secured substantial grant funding from ZF North America. The ZF Gives Grant was awarded in the amount of $2000.00. The grant was autohered by Austen Hord with contributions from Kaden Watt and former crew member Kayli Loflin. Grant funds helped to purchase the necessary equipment and supplies to operate the team as well as helps to fund the Benton Central Supermileage Scholarship. This scholarship is provided to 1 – 2 seniors on the team that choose to persue a career or degree in a STEM related field. Scholarship recipients will be announced at the Benton Central Senior Awards Night.
This year the team focused on optimizing last years new car and started the build of a radically different car for future competitions. The car that made it to the track this year utilized a full carbon fiber chassis, Honda GX-25 4 stroke engine, dual disengagement power train, jack shaft, and custom engine plate machined by 3D Machine in Goodland, IN. The canopy of the car was constructed from lightweight aluminum and crystal clear heat shrink plastic. The car weighed in at 84 lbs. without the driver. New to the design this year was a custom electric starting system that used a one way roller bearing and sprocket system paired to an electric scooter moter to start the engine, aerodynamic wheel skirts, new CNC aluminum sprockets, additional windows to increase safety and visability, weight reduction, and structural optimization.
The team encounted a major set back the week before the race. In a supermilage car, everything is pushed to its limits in order to achieve such high performance. The team reached the limit of the strength of the cranckshaft in the engine, and bent it. The damage was sustained with too little time to make repairs before the race, so the team came together, developed a solution that would allow the car to run, and got it on the track. The car held and completed 4 full runs before the crancksahft failure finally destroyed the engine. The team estimates that with a proper engine they will be in the 900 MPG range next year.
This year’s driver was Madison Hall and the leadership team consisted of Kaden Watt, Ulises Marquez, and Bailey Philhower. Spotters in the stands kept the drivers safe and were Mitchel Cox, Christian Lance. The leadership team did a great job keeping the drivers safe on the track and keeping the team focused on the task at hand.
Without our great sponsors, Benton Central would not be able to participate in this state wide competition. We would like to extend a special thank you to ZF North America, Useful Products, Engineering Innovation, and Adkev Inc. These four companies have been major supporters of the team. Additional thanks to 3D Machine, Arconic, voestalpina, Wabash National, Holscher Products, Stu Jones Amsoil, BC CAAP, and the 100 Mile Rib and Chop House. The generosity of these groups allows for the continued success of the Benton Central Super Mileage Team.
The team advisors are Benton Central Teachers Scott Robertson and John Weitlauf and Engineering Consultant Josh White from Adkev Inc. The club is run as an afterschool extracurricular activity. If you are interested in sponsoring the team, please reach out to them by calling Benton Central High School.
2018 Competition
On April 9, 2018 the Benton Central High School Super Mileage Team participated in the Engineering/Technology Educators of Indiana (E/TEI) Super Mileage Engineering Design Challenge at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.
This year, the event hosted 30 teams from around the state, totaling 240 high school participants. The weather was interesting on race day. When the green flag flew, most teams opted to stay in the pits, as there was an inch of snow on the ground. The track was clear, but wet. After making some modifications and ensuring the cars were safe, BC was one of the first teams to brave the track.
Benton Central finished 4th in division 1 with an average fuel economy of 695 MPG, and a high run on the day of 741 MPG. This is a new school record for average and high run, and the best finishing position the school has ever had.
The team did not come home empty handed. Kayli Loflin and the media and marketing team has put in a great deal of work over the last three years to develop a web page for the team as well as write grants to help fund the team’s activities and cars. Kayli, as the media and marketing team lead, authored a grant funded by ZF North America. The ZF Gives Grant was awarded in the amount of $2000.00. In addition, the team won the Communication and Marketing award sponsored by Purdue Brian Lamb School of Communication. This comes with a plaque and $300.00 check for the team.
For this year’s competition, the team designed, developed, and manufactured a brand new car from the ground up. The car utilized a full carbon fiber chassis, Honda GX-25 4 stroke engine, dual disengagement power train, jack shaft, and custom engine plate machined by 3D Machine in Goodland, IN. The canopy of the car was constructed from lightweight aluminum and crystal clear heat shrink plastic. The car weighed in at 84 lbs. without the driver. This is the lightest car the team has ever built. Benton Central also ran one of their older cars with a new aerodynamic body.
Due to a cold spring, the team was not able to do a great deal of test driving prior to the main event at Lucas Oil Raceway. Despite this, the cars performed well all day. There was a small on track incident when our cars ran into each other…but none the less, a spectacular day at the track.
This year’s drivers were Tad Foster and Kaden Watt and the leadership team consisted of Lee Hall, Kaleb Murphy, and Klay Hauser. Spotters in the stands kept the drivers safe and were Mitchel Cox, Kayli Loflin, Hannah Hamelman, and Ulises Marquez.
This year’s division 1 winner was KanKakee Valley at 1082 MPG and division 2 winner was Evansville Mater Dei at 1039 MPG.
2017 Competition
On April 10, 2017 the Benton Central High School Super Mileage Team participated in the Engineering/Technology Educators of Indiana (E/TEI) Super Mileage Engineering Design Challenge at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. This year the event hosted 26 teams from around the state, totaling 160 high school participants. This year’s division 1 winner was Lafayette Jefferson and division 2 winner was Evansville Mater Dei, each with fuel economies of greater than 900 MPG. Benton Central finished 6th in division 1 with a fuel economy of 320 MPG.
BC’s Ryan Iliff and Mitchell Cox put in a great deal of work to draft the team’s design proposal. This document lays out the cars’ designs and details every aspect of the vehicles construction, safety measures, drive system, body, and drivers’ position. This is also the team’s formal opportunity to show their integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into the design. Because of Ryan and Mitchell’s hard work, the team was given the best proposal award.
This year the team fielded two cars, each of which made it through the entire day without major incident. This year, the team experimented with new power train configurations, fabricated a body, constructed a role cage, installed a 5 point harness system, implemented a new emergency shut down, and used a 4.28:1 reduction gear box for the first time.
Although the new changes worked very well when testing for weeks at Benton Central, the team had engine issues with both cars during their time at Lucas Oil Raceway. Despite the engine problems, the team came together and did all they could to keep the cars on the track. The students learned how to deal with hardships and how to think on their feet. One of the most meaningful aspects of the competition is real life problem solving. This year the team did a great job analyzing their problems and coming up with meaningful solutions quickly.
This year’s drivers were Brett Logan and Kaden Watt and the leadership team consisted of Aaron Mak Hoffman, Lee Hall, Kerrick Gibbs, and Kaleb Murphy. The leadership team did a great job keeping the drivers safe on track and keeping the team focused on the task at hand.
2016 Competition
The BC Super Mileage Team spent April 11, a cold and rainy day, at Lucas Oil Raceway for the Indiana Super Mileage Engineering Design Challenge. After a rough beginning involving a thrown chain that badly damaged the entire rear drive train, the team successfully completed the necessary runs averaging 313.73 MPG which included a school record-breaking run of 406.4 MPG. The team earned 3rd place overall in the Division I competition. The team also took home the Communications/Media/Marketing Award, complete with a $300 check, for the team's work on the website and with fundraising.
