Start your engine-ers: RIT engineer students join self-driving racecar team at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC)— The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, also known as "The Brickyard" is used to big moments, and this week is no different as it’s hosting a race, but with no drivers at the wheel.

Yes, you read that right, the cars are autonomous, and helping to lead the charge, are engineering students from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

According to Jalopnik, RIT is one of 21 finalist schools across the nine-team "Indy Autonomous Challenge." The challenge is two years in the making, and will hit the final checkered flag on Saturday. RIT teamed up with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Waterloo (Canada).

The cars are powered by special software.

.@_RITEngineering students will make history at this week at the Indy Autonomous Challenge at @IMS. RIT joins forces with @MIT, @PittTweet and @UWaterloo in the software-focused autonomous vehicle competition. Read @Jalopnik‘s story for more info: https://t.co/DHcbVxkPeN

— RIT (@RITtigers) October 20, 2021

The winning team will receive $1 million, the second and third-placed teams will receive $250,000 and $50,000.

More info can be found here.