If there's one thing kids from Florida know about, it's the sun.

Harnessing the sun's energy, they sent a solar-powered car racing down a San Antonio speedway and into first place.

The team of 15 budding engineers and environmentalists from South Plantation Senior High have been working after school for three years on the 650-pound car, dubbed the Solar Knight II.

After four days of racing and 395 laps, the Solar Knight II whipped across the finish line of the National Dell Winston Solar Car Challenge at the not-so-neck-snapping speed of 48 mph.

Not bad for a car crafted out of junkyard parts and electrical tape.

``It's the burden of the Sunshine State, but we're happy we could do well for Florida,'' said Jason Rosen, 17, one of the co-captains of the squad.

``Even though it rains here all the time, it definitely was a big motivation knowing that we were representing our state.''

Speaking of rain, although the Solar Knight II raced all 592 miles on the power of the sun, it is equipped with a small battery that can keep it moving in case the clouds roll in.

The team has been working three years on perfecting its solar car. When South Plantation first came to the competition, the Solar Knight I came in last place.

Since then, the 15 students figured out ways to shed 50 pounds from the vehicle.

They also make sure their lightest team members drive it.

``My legs would fall asleep sometimes, but it was also very relaxing,'' said Daniella Saeta, 17, one of the drivers. ``We had a little fan and a music player, but we really didn't use it. We wanted to concentrate on the race.''

The competition annually attracts more than a dozen high school teams from across the United States to race at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Aside from a three-tier trophy and bragging rights, the students hope the first-place finish will open the door to future sponsorships. It cost roughly $30,000 to build the car, which was financed through donations and fundraisers hosted by the students throughout the year.

``It was unbelievable just to see what we could do,'' Jason said. ``How we could come from being last place at one point, to now building such a successful team.''

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