Purdue’s All-Female Team Makes Racing History

In a historic first, an all-female team of Purdue University students raced into the record books by winning the evGrandPrix, a collegiate electric karting competition. Fueled by passion, perseverance, and a whole lot of zip ties, the team turned a bare chassis into a race-winning electric go-kart—and proved that motorsports has room for everyone.

Led by crew chief Sophia Hester and driver Tatum Langston, the team came together through a Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) course and a powerful partnership with Toyota. Despite setbacks on race day—from a thrown chain to last-minute throttle failure—the women rallied, fixed their kart, and roared from 12th on the grid to first across the finish line.

Named after Purdue alumna Elizabeth Miller, the kart Lady Elizabeth symbolizes grit, growth, and breaking barriers—both on the track and off. With guidance from industry mentors, support from their peers, and a shared love of learning, this team has done more than win a race—they’ve inspired a new generation of engineers, racers, and changemakers.