Purdue News
Purdue News
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April 17, 2004 O'Brien goes for third consecutive win in Purdue Grand PrixWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. –Fifty Purdue University students will vie for the winner's trophy in the 47th annual Grand Prix kart race on Saturday (4/24) on the kart track north of Ross-Ade Stadium.
Presiding as grand marshal over the "Greatest Spectacle in College Racing" this year will be Richard Barnett, professor of electrical engineering technology and Grand Prix scoring adviser for 24 years. "We wanted to honor him with that because he is bowing out – it will be his last year as scoring adviser," said Grand Prix President Matt Morris. "He's been part of the organization for a long time. He's obviously been an integral part of what makes this race go, and he will be greatly missed. The current system of scoring has been his baby." Among the drivers registered for the 2004 grand Prix is two-time winner Timothy O'Brien, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering from Lebanon, Ohio. Patrick Moore, of Dyer, Ind., may be a rookie on the Purdue Grand Prix track, but he's a veteran kart racer. Moore is racing a kart with an engine built by the same company that built O'Brien's – Moore Racing Engines, his brother's company. "The field's going to be incredibly competitive this year," Morris said. The main race events start at 2 p.m. with driver introductions and the national anthem. Preliminary races start at 11 a.m. Pits are open to the public from 9-10 a.m., and the track is open to the public at 10 a.m. Practice is from 10-11 a.m., and sprint races start at 11:20 a.m. The Purdue Grand Prix Foundation is a student-run, nonprofit organization that conducts the kart race and related events to raise money for student scholarships. The foundation also receives support from Toyota, Kimberly Clark Corp., Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics and WKHY-B102.9 Radio. Tickets are $7 before the race and $10 on race day. Advance tickets are available on the following dates at the following locations: Monday and Thursday (4/19 and 4/22) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Purdue Memorial Union (near Villa Pizza); Tuesday and Wednesday (4/20 and 4/21) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Stewart Center; and Friday (4/23) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Stewart Center. Writer: Reni Winter, (765) 496-3133, rwinter@purdue.edu Source: Matt Morris, (765) 494-7771, mrmorris@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu Note to Journalists: For press credentials, contact Kim Hall in advance at khall@purdue.edu. FILE PHOTO CAPTION:
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