Weather delays qualifiers

By Dave Stephens
Assistant Campus Editor

Hot engines and smoking tires couldn’t overcome the cold weather that marked the last day of qualifications for the 44th annual Purdue Grand Prix.

Drivers, pit crews and race officials suffered through temperatures in the mid 30's as, for the second day in a row, no one was able to beat the 27th place time of 48.667 seconds.

"It's the coldest I ever remember it being (during the week of Grand Prix)," said Jonathon Okos, a junior in the School of Agriculture and the director of safety for the race. "We were fortunate to have good race weather (last) Saturday."

It was that good race weather that enabled five drivers to set times under 46 seconds, a time that couldn’t be approached on Tuesday.

"Things run slower when it's colder," said Braden Roadruck, a driver for the Cary Racing team and a sophomore in the School of Engineering. "But the cold can be good because once the tires warm up, you'll grab the pavement more and not slide as much."

Roadruck, who failed to qualify for one of the top 27 spots, said he is looking forward to this Saturday's sprint races, where six more teams can qualify to compete in the Grand Prix.

"Some people's strong points are in the speed qualifications," said Roadruck. "I do better when I'm actually racing against someone. Last year I failed to qualify (during the time trials), but went on to win my sprint race by half a lap."

Nick Penniston, crew chief for Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, said the warmer weather would have made the time trials more enjoyable.

"We're going to be back out here on Saturday, and hopefully we'll have all the problems worked out by then," he said.

Roadruck said racing has always been something he's enjoyed, since getting his first go-kart when he was eight.

"The experience has helped me a little bit, but you can put someone new into a car right now and they'll beat you," Roadruck said.

John Williams, driver for Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, said he is looking forward to competing in the sprint races, as this is the first time he has ever raced a go-kart competitively.

"It's probably better for a rookie to be starting out in a smaller race," said Williams. "I think I'm doing pretty decent, I just need to get a little more experience."

Russell Lauer, Grand Prix race director, said he hopes a lot of students make it out for the Grand Prix events.

"There's a lot of good drivers out here, it is going to be a good race," said Lauer.

• The Purdue Grand Prix race festivities begin on Saturday when the pits open up to the public at 9 a.m. The first of three sprint races begin at 11:30 a.m. and the 160 lap Grand Prix begins at 3 p.m.

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Campus editor: Laura Pelner

Assistant campus editors: Kurt Esposito, Dave Stephens

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