Students feed their need for speed with RC car programs

Two schools, three trophies and bragging rights

YUMA, Ariz, (KYMA, KECY) - What started off as an idea to introduce local students to the automotive trade has been kicked into high gear. More and more schools are adapting automotive programs by way of radio-controlled cars.

Fourth Avenue Junior High was the first to bring this hands-on learning experience to Yuma. As time progressed students not only learned about the fundamentals of automotive designs. But they've learned how to improve it.

With multiple schools adapting their own versions of the program, it was only a matter of time before a challenge was made. So on a windy Friday morning, the Fourth Avenue Junior High Falcons hosted the Castle Dome Middle School Knights.

Drivers from both schools met at Falcon Speedway and after the visiting school got a few test runs, they were all set.

We spoke to two of the drivers prior to the race and asked them why they felt their team would prevail.

Carson Lopes of Castle Dome said that their team's advantage over their opponents was experienced. According to Lopes most of their team members have been driving R/C cars for some time. Now, Gabriel Gaspar of Fourth Avenue credited his team working knowledge of their vehicles and of course home-field advantage.

The race brackets were set and the races were off. Now it could have very well been the pressure of the distraction from the wind, but, many drivers found themselves hitting the wall.

But, some of the drivers were fluid, taking turns like a professional NASCAR driver. You could clearly tell these drivers were in the zone. In the end, the Fourth Avenue Falcons took home 1st and 3rd place,