Future engineers, start your engines.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway is hosting Dartmouth’s 8th annual Formula Hybrid Competition, founded and run by the school’s Thayer School of Engineering.

Starting today and ending Thursday, the competition features high-performance hybrid and electric race cars built by teams of undergraduate and graduate students.

Twenty-four teams are registered for this year’s competition, in which students must follow strict rules as they learn about vehicle design, acceleration, handling and endurance while trying to optimize energy efficiency and sustainability of materials.

Kristen Lestock, spokeswoman for the speedway, said the competition is a great opportunity for young people interested in future careers in the automotive industry. In past years, officials from automotive manufacturers have visited the students as they work, offering some jobs on the spot.