WAHPETON (AP) - Revving engines, burning rubber and piles of ruined tires mark the end of another school year here.

About 1,000 North Dakota State College of Science students lined the campus loop this week to watch what's become the highlight of the year for many: the burnout contest.

Thirty participants lined up their cars, pickups, motorcycles and other vehicles and took turns spinning their rear tires in front of the crowd.

"The objective is to spin your tires long enough and hot enough so they blow up," said Michael Johnson, director of student life.

The best competitors drew applause from the crowd as they produced smoke so thick their vehicles disappeared. The drivers who blew a tire got the loudest cheers.

Judges awarded points for each entrant based on the crowd reaction.

The burnout contest is part of Agawasie Day, which began at least 60 years ago as the day the Agawasie yearbook was distributed on campus, Johnson said.

The yearbook was discontinued in 2004, but the day has lived on as an end-of-year celebration. Other events include a car show, syrup-chugging contest and tug of war.

Though this is just the third year of the burnout contest, it's quickly become the highlight for students, said auto body instructor Tim Such.

"They like the smoke, the noise and the destruction," Such said.

Jarrod Livingston was the first to blow a tire Thursday with his 1994 Dodge Dakota.

Like many participants, Livingston put an old set of rear tires on his pickup to avoid getting in trouble with his dad.

"I've had that lecture from him before," said Livingston, a marketing management student.

Kelin Wikenheiser, a recreational engines student, was the only entrant on an ATV.

He poured a mixture of oil, bleach and green food coloring on his tires to try to produce colored smoke, but he said it didn't work as well as when he practiced.

Former NDSCS student Matt Hewson, who won the contest the two previous years, returned to Wahpeton on Thursday and reclaimed his title. Judges awarded Hewson 49 out of 50 points.

Hewson didn't blow a tire on his 1970 Pontiac LeMans, but that's only because he had to stop when he broke his drive shaft.

Also on campus Thursday were the state Board of Higher Education and a team from the Higher Learning Commission that is evaluating the campus for accreditation.

"They're going to get to see our campus culture," Johnson said.