Perry High School’s Industrial Technology students have won their fourteenth Ultimate Mileage Vehicle Race in fifteen years.

Earlier this month, students traveled to Southeast Polk High School’s Industrial Technology Exposition.  The Ultimate Mileage Vehicle Race is a contest where students build or redesign cars to go as far as possible on 16 ounces of gas.

A total of 35 cars competed in this year race, including four from Perry.  The Bluejay’s “SCHU” 42 car, named after teacher Dale Schumacher, driven by senior Zach Barr finished in first place with 272 miles per gallon.

The school’s newest car, Number 43 EFI got third place with 234 miles per gallon.  It is equipped with a 50 cc fuel injected Yamaha engine with a continuously variable transmission and was driven by senior Ryley Anderson.

Senior Kaleb Ackerman drove another car for Perry and finished in eighth place with 148 miles per gallon. And the school’s B 73 diesel car, driven by Sheldon Zinnel, was entered into the experimental division and would have placed first overall vehicles after receiving 278 miles per gallon.

Perry’s success in this contest is especially impressive considering other schools have yearlong classes to build these vehicles, while the local team does all of their work in one semester.

Industrial Technology teacher Darin Steva thanked principal Dan Marburger, Superintendent Lynn Ubben, the students’ families and all of the local sponsors for allowing the successful tradition to continue.