Purdue News

May 19,2000 New partnership puts Purdue students on Speedway to learning WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Students, start your engines. A new partnership announced today (5/19) will allow Purdue University students to delve into the technological workings of one of the cars competing to enter the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. An educational partnership among Purdue, Beck Motorsports Inc. of Avon, Ind. and Hubbard Immke Racing of Indianapolis, will give Purdue students a unique opportunity to tie lessons in engineering and technology to automotive development and racing, said Don K. Gentry, dean of Purdue's School of Technology. "This is a great opportunity for our students, who are already known for their technological expertise and the annual Grand Prix race," Gentry said. "The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race represents some of the highest levels of engineering and technology in automotive development. With this partnership, we will be able to provide students with hands-on opportunities that few people outside the racing community have." For example, students will have opportunities to gain an inside look at engine design and performance, gain lessons on assembling and tuning a race car, and carry out studies on tires, track conditions and weather's effects on speed and handling. Students may also have access to chassis design engineers and experts in aerodynamics, Gentry said. The car, painted old gold and black, was unveiled today after the partnership announcement at the speedway. The car, scheduled to compete in time trials this weekend for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, will be driven by Hideshi Matsuda, a driver for Beck Motorsports who has competed in four previous Indy 500 races. Although the race car carries the "Purdue" name on the driver's side, the car is officially sponsored by Collaboration, a Japanese clothing company. The partnership with Purdue was designed as an educational venture only, said Greg Beck, owner of Beck Motorsports. "Purdue's investment is not financial, but represents a commitment to work with our team to bring academics and motor sports together in a way that can be beneficial to both," Beck said. "In racing we depend heavily on expertise in technology, engineering, aeronautics, business and several other areas. While we can benefit from the university's expertise, the students will benefit from the practical involvement with an Indiana-based business. Overall, it will be a wonderful partnership." Beck said the concept grew out of an effort started two years ago with Pennville Elementary School in Jay County. "That partnership drew significant interest from the kids in school and served as a great motivator for the students," he said. "That led to the idea of doing a similar program on the collegiate level. This kind of partnership gives us wonderful involvement in the community." While the program offers many unique learning experiences for students in technology and engineering, students in other academic areas also may benefit, said Bob Bernard, director of marketing for the athletics department at Purdue who helped initiate the partnership. "For example, as the race team travels, students in restaurant and hotel management may have opportunities to work with the team as well," Bernard said. Sources: Don Gentry, (765) 494-2552, dkgentry@tech.purdue.edu Paul Gatsos, Beck Motorsports, (317) 209-0202, pgatsos@hotmail.com Writer: Susan Gaidos, (765) 494-2081; sgaidos@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page