CORNING, N.Y. – Students from SUNY Corning Community College’s Automotive Technician Program participated in the 2026 Green Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International, joining more than 150 students from colleges across the Northeast to compete in an eco-friendly automotive event. Participating institutions included Alfred State College, Alfred University, Clarkson University, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Binghamton University, Monroe Community College, SUNY Morrisville, and others.
The day began with a morning road rally held on the long course at Watkins Glen International. The event lasted one hour and 45 minutes and challenged teams to maintain a target lap speed of 47 mph. Awards were presented for the most precise lap times and the best fuel or electric efficiency in each class. SUNY CCC’s Derek Thorp and Ryleigh Surine earned first place in the Generation 4 Prius Challenge class while driving a 2016 Toyota Prius.
Surine reflected on the experience of competing at the track. “One of the best parts was getting to drive on the Watkins Glen track,” Surine said. “It was a great experience, and winning an award made it even more exciting.”
The afternoon featured an autocross event in the NASCAR garage area. During the lunch break, students had the opportunity to hear from representatives of Toyota, the Glen Region of the Sports Car Club of America, and Watkins Glen International Track President Dawn Burlew. In addition to competing, SUNY CCC students volunteered throughout the day to help support and run the event.
The Green Grand Prix’s mission is to promote environmentally friendly road vehicles through competitive and educational events. The annual program is designed to provide automotive technology students with an engaging experience that inspires careers in advanced vehicle technologies throughout the Northeast. Today, the Green Grand Prix remains the only event of its kind, bringing together education, competition, and innovation in sustainable vehicle technology.