The Winner’s Circle Project is more than a competition between schools in New York—it’s a hands-on learning experience that blends engineering, marketing, and teamwork. This program brings high school students together to design, build, and race Factory Five cars, pushing their skills to new heights while preparing them for careers in automotive, motorsports, and beyond.
Last year’s competition was a game-changer. The school, Ketcham took the championship in a close race and set the bar high for innovation. At the same time, Owego made waves with a bold design that caught everyone’s attention. Now, other schools are upping their game. This year, builds are getting even more advanced with turbochargers, superchargers, fuel injection, and power steering. The competition is growing too, expanding from five to six schools, each bringing their own unique take on a Factory Five build.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what each school is working on:
Ketcham: Single turbocharged Type 65 Coupe
Owego: Supercharged Type 65 Coupe
John Jay: Mk4 Roadster
Roosevelt: Mk4 with twin turbochargers
Dover: Mk4 Roadster
Waverly: Type 65 Coupe
But it’s not just about building cars. The Winner’s Circle Project challenges students to develop marketing campaigns, create websites, design logos, and present their work alongside industry professionals. Every car is judged not only on its build quality but also on performance testing, teamwork, and creativity. Trans Am champion Chris Dyson is a major part of the program, evaluating cars for performance, including 0-60 testing, slalom, and ergonomics.
Today, students from the program toured Factory Five, giving them a firsthand look at the company behind their builds. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and professionalism were on full display as they engaged with our staff, asked insightful questions, and proved exactly why this program is shaping the future of the car and motorsports industry. Their drive and knowledge at such a young age are impressive, and it’s clear that the Winner’s Circle Project is producing the next generation of automotive innovators.
With bigger builds come bigger challenges, and these teams are working hard to fundraise and keep their projects on track. The dedication from students and instructors is unmatched, and the impact of this program is already shaping futures. Many students have gone on to careers in engineering, aviation, and motorsports marketing, proving that the lessons learned here go far beyond the garage.
We can’t wait to see how this year’s builds turn out. One thing is for sure—the bar has been raised, and the passion behind these projects is stronger than ever.
Learn more about Winner’s Circle Project: https://winners-circle.org/