Motorsports Day Presents IUPUI Opportunities for Careers in Motorsports

Prospective students check out IRL, Champ and other high-powered cars at the Purdue School of Engineering & Technology's Motorsports Day.

INDIANAPOLIS – The Purdue School of Engineering & Technology at IUPUI hosted its second annual Motorsports Day Friday, Oct. 6, giving the IUPUI campus and Indianapolis community an opportunity to learn how IUPUI is preparing individuals for careers in the motorsports industry.

Guest speakers from the professional world of racing, included Champ Car driver Katherine Legge; Australian Sprint Car and Pro Series driver Veronica McCann; Scott Elkins, director of technology for Champ Car World Series; and Jeff Horton, director of engineering for Indy Racing League.

Representatives, cars and displays from IRL, Champ Car, Panther Racing, Indy Pro Series, and Ganassi Racing were featured throughout the day. The IUPUI race car built by IUPUI Engineering & Technology students, and cars belonging to IUPUI students who are Midget drivers were also on display.

IUPUI students scheduled to speak included Sports Car Club of America driver Vicky Otoupal; and Josh Clemons, Ricky Ehrgott, Travis Miniea, Lynsey Tilton and Scott Thoman, all Midget racers. Students who have worked as interns in the motorsports industry also discussed their experiences.

The Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI has several Motorsports initiatives: a Motorsports Technology Certificate, internships with professional Motorsports teams and racing series, and the new racecar built by students.

IUPUI and Panther Racing have teamed to start a single-car race team during the 2007 Indy Pro Series season. The IUPUI Indy Pro Series team will be comprised primarily of IUPUI student interns from various university programs including engineering and technology, business, and liberal arts.

For additional information about the IUPUI motorsports program visit, http://www.engr.iupui.edu/academics.shtml.