Purdue News

April 1, 2004

Grand Prix rookies practice Saturday (4/3)

Kart drivers who have never participated in Purdue University's Grand Prix will take to the track Saturday (4/3) for rookie practice, the first track event leading up to the April 24 race.

Media can attend the practice session, which starts at noon on the track at the northeast corner of campus near Ross-Ade Stadium. Journalists will have the opportunity to interview racing team members before and after practice, and there will be photo and video opportunities.

"We plan on winning – that's our main objective," said Grand Prix rookie Patrick Moore, 22, a mechanical engineering technology junior from Dyer, Ind., who will drive for Eccentric Kart Racing. "I've been racing since I was about 10. There's nothing that we don't have that would keep us from winning."

Another kart racing veteran, Victor Garcia, 22, of Quito, Ecuador, will use his expertise to help new Grand Prix drivers learn the ropes. Garcia is Ecuador's three-time national kart racing champion and is a sophomore in mechanical engineering technology.

"I'll be out there Saturday helping the rookies learn how to run the race," Garcia said.

Grand Prix race information and a complete event schedule is available online.

CONTACT: Moore, (219) 712-3378, psmoore@purdue.edu; Garcia, (765) 426-3331, garciavm@purdue.edu; Tim Nordland, faculty sponsor, (765) 496-6145, webdog@purdue.edu; Matt Morris, president, (765) 494-7771, mrmorris@purdue.edu.