This past rainy Saturday, the town was pretty quiet. The constant rain seems to have knocked Golden into a bit of a slumber this June. Out in Donald, however, nothing could dampen the energy at the Edison Motors base as they hosted their third annual EV Challenge.
Their newly built shop was filled with excited visitors. There were merchandise sales, several trucks on display, and plenty of opportunities to learn more about the company. The day was about more than just competition; it offered a peek behind the curtain of this innovative business.
The makeshift campground was filled with high school students and their families, all eager to put their karts to the ultimate test.
Participating schools receive a selection of key components, including a driver’s seat and seat belts, brake and steering system parts, an electric motor, 48-volt batteries, a system controller, and a display. Students use those materials to design and build their own electric go-karts. Then came the big weekend, where the karts would be put to the test on a series of courses set up on the Edison Motors property in Donald.
Four courses had been built for the competition: a log skidder course, a high-speed track, an off-road course, and a motocross track, the longest of them all. Students had until 3 p.m. to record their best times on each course.
Exploring the event, it was evident that these students were more than just excited; they were proud. They pushed themselves and each other to get the most out of their karts, but they were also having fun. As they rode between courses, laughed with friends, and celebrated their successes, the atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm.
The commitment shown by these students was impressive. From months of preparation to the travel required to make it out to Donald, they were invested in every step of the process.
It is not hard to understand why. High school students are in a unique stage of life where they are capable of so much, yet are often trusted with very little. We can become so focused on protecting young people that we sometimes forget to challenge them.
The EV Challenge did exactly that. It trusted students with a serious task, and they rose to the occasion. The program succeeds not only in educating young people about electric vehicles but also in building confidence in their abilities.
The winning schools for each division were as follows:
• Motocross Track: 1st – Golden Secondary School, 2nd – Qualicum, 3rd – Willow Creek Composite
• High-Speed Track: 1st – Golden Secondary School, 2nd – Willow Creek Composite, 3rd – Foremost School
• Off-Road Course: 1st – Willow Creek Composite, 2nd – Golden Secondary School, 3rd – Merritt Secondary
• Log Skidder Course: 1st – Westsyde Secondary School, 2nd – Charles Hays Secondary School, 3rd – Foremost School.
Congratulations to all of the winners, especially our local competitors from Golden Secondary School.
A huge congratulations is also due to Edison Motors for a successful weekend and for inspiring students to challenge themselves, think creatively, and develop valuable hands-on skills.
