Folsom students compete in international hydrogen-powered car racing championship

Five students from St. John Notre Dame Catholic School represented Folsom at the Hydrogen Grand Prix World Finals in Chemnitz, Germany, competing against teams from around the globe in the emerging clean energy racing series. The team, known as the "Divine Drifters," included Alicia '26, Noah '26, Robert '26, Caleb '26, and Andrew '26, making them one of the youngest teams in the international competition. Despite facing mechanical challenges and setbacks during the multi-day event, the students persevered to cross the finish line. The competition provided cultural exchange opportunities beyond racing, with the Folsom students exchanging symbolic gifts and building friendships with peers from Kaohsiung Municipal Chung-Cheng Industrial High School in Taiwan and other international teams. The students spent long hours troubleshooting their hydrogen-powered vehicle with coaches and celebrated Mass together with their families during the week-long event. The Hydrogen Grand Prix is a global STEM education program that combines racing with renewable energy technology. Students design, build and race hydrogen-powered cars while learning real-world applications of clean energy systems. The program aims to prepare the next generation for careers in the emerging clean energy workforce. St. John Notre Dame, established in 1962 and operated by the Charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, serves students from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade in Folsom. The school's participation in the international competition demonstrates its commitment to hands-on, project-based learning in science and engineering. The H2GP World Finals brought together student teams from multiple countries to compete in hydrogen fuel cell vehicle racing, emphasizing technical innovation and environmental sustainability. The program bridges classroom learning with practical engineering experience, giving students exposure to technologies expected to play a major role in achieving global net-zero emissions goals. The Folsom team's participation required months of preparation, including designing their hydrogen-powered vehicle, learning fuel cell technology principles, and qualifying for the international competition through regional events. Sharing the success stories that make our community shine. Got story ideas, questions or comments? Email Jessica at jessicah@goldcountrymedia.com.