Attn: Jonathon Hassler Visit our Website: Civil Engineering Building Room G292 A http://www.sallgood.biz/opportunity 550 Stadium Mall Drive Phone: (765)-494-6490 West Lafayette, IN 47707-2051 Opportunity Teams Up with Circle Bound Racing

Purdue University’s Opportunity Volume 1, Issue 1 Motorsports program will partner with Brownsburg, Indiana’s Circle Inside this issue: Bound Racing for the 2006 Racing Season. With this partnership, Op- portunity Motorsports members will Circle Bound Announcement 1 play integral roles in all aspects of the Circle Bound Racing late model Open House Review 1 racing operation in 2006. Seth Whitesel - 2005 Season Re- 3 Circle Bound Racing is owned by veteran racer Chet Blanton of Plain- Jace Sanders - 2005 Season Re- 3 field, Indiana and is the factory team for Blanton’s ARC Racing Engines Purdue University’s Opportunity Motorsports will Tentative Schedule 4 business. ARC builds engines for a team up with Brownsburg Indiana’s Circle Bound variety of applications, including dirt Racing for the 2006 racing season and pavement late models, sprint the program represent a variety of disci- members of Opportunity Motorsports cars, and hot rods. The Opportunity Mo- plines including Visual Communications worked for Hendricks County Mo- torsports program will help to maintain Design, Advertising and Public Relations, torsports with driver Chris Gabehart and and prepare Circle Bound Racing’s late Management, Organizational Leadership owner Jim Winters. Gabehart, a recent model racecars for selected racing events and Supervision, Mechanical Engineer- Mechanical Engineering graduate of Pur- with the CRA Super Series in 2006. This ing, and Mechanical Engineering Tech- due University, competed with the CRA relationship will provide Purdue Univer- nology. Super Series full time in 2005 scoring his sity students seeking a motorsports related The Opportunity Motorsports program first series victory in May on the legen- education with the ability to become in- was founded by race driver and Purdue dary high banks of volved in both the business and technical th University mechanical engineering stu- and finishing 5 in the 2005 series season aspects of a semi-professional racing dent Jonathan Hassler just over one year team. Students currently involved with ago. During the 2005 racing season, See CIRCLE BOUND on page 2 Opportunity Motorsports Holds Open House

On Saturday February 11, Purdue University’s to develop contacts with corporations, indi- to both the business and technical aspects of Opportunity Motorsports and Circle Bound viduals, and members of the local community the racing program. This youth and energy Racing officially kicked off the start of their that will help to ensure the success of both will be complemented well by the existing partnership for the 2006 racing season. The organizations for many years to come. facilities, equipment, and experienced leader- two organizations hosted an open house at the The Partnership ship at Circle Bound Racing. Longtime racers shop of Circle Bound Racing in Brownsburg, During the 2006 racing season, members of Chet Blanton and crew chief Jerry Powell Indiana where they expounded upon the de- Opportunity Motorsports will take on integral bring more than 80 combined years of racing tails of their partnership and released their roles in the Circle Bound Racing late model experience together to form the foundation for tentative 2006 racing schedule. Additionally, operation. These members will provide en- this exciting partnership. the organizations and their members continued thusiastic manpower and educated innovation See OPEN HOUSE on page 2 Opportunity Motorsports Outlook Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 2

Circle Bound continued from page 1 points. Gabehart has since moved on to ties it offers interested students and par- with,” remarked Glenn Luckett, Director Hagans Racing, an ARCA RE/MAX Se- ticipating companies. Purdue University’s of the CRA Super Series. “This program ries team, as a full-time engineer. He will Opportunity Motorsports program will be gives our series a great opportunity to also race in selected ARCA RE/MAX marketed by the series as the Official Mo- develop new fans, potential drivers and Series events during the 2006 season. torsports Educational Program of the new team personnel. There has not been CRA Super Series. anything like this in this region, and I Purdue University’s Opportunity Mo- hope everyone will take full advantage of torsports program will also partner with “This is a great program that Jonathan has this program and the potential benefits it the CRA Super Series in 2006 to help developed and it is a great opportunity for offers not only our series, but all the Mo- promote the program and the opportuni- the CRA Super Series to be involved torsports interest in Central Indiana.”

Open House continued from page 1

members of Circle Bound Racing Seeking Marketing Opportu- Partners nity Mo- In order to offer members of the Opportunity torsports, Motorsports program the best possible experi- other Pur- ence during 2006, Circle Bound Racing is due Univer- seeking marketing partners to join their unique sity faculty and exciting marketing program. In addition and staff, to on-track exposures, Circle Bound Racing is invited dedicated to providing its marketing partners motorsports with exposures away from the race track. profession- These exposures include a number of visits to als, and Purdue University, Indiana high schools, car representa- shows, motorsports events, community events, tives of and corporate events. For more information, Opportu- contact Jonathan Hassler by phone at (765) nity Mo- 720-1384 or by email at [email protected]. torsports Industrial Opportunity Motorsports Member Employ- Pit Crew ment companies. Four members of the Opportunity Motorsports The Oppor- program are seeking part time employment tunity Mo- that will allow them to relocate to the Browns- torsports The Opportunity Motorsports Team poses with the Circle Bound Racing #14 Racecar burg area during the summer months. These Industrial at the Feb. 11 open house. Purdue University students are studying Me- Pit Crew is chanical Engineering and Mechanical Engi- a collection of companies who wish to tap into club where he or she will have first access to neering Technology and are seeking employ- Purdue University resources through the Op- news and information from Opportunity Mo- ment that will allow them to maintain involve- portunity Motorsports program. These re- ment within Circle Bound Racing. If you are sources include but are not limited to market- torsports. Members of the fan club will re- interested in employing one of these students, ing, product research, and recruitment. If you ceive press releases by email following all please contact Chris Ligon by phone at (317) would like more information on this program, races and events, pictures of all races and 727-6790 or by email at [email protected]. please contact Jace Sanders by phone at (765) events, hard-copies of the OM newsletter, and 918-1565 or by email at [email protected]. invitations to some special Opportunity Mo- Opportunity Motorsports Industrial Pit Crew torsports events. Fan club members will also – Corporate Engagement Program Opportunity Motorsports Fan Club – Individ- have the opportunity to purchase Opportunity On Thursday August 3, 2006, Opportunity ual Engagement Program Motorsports will hold the 1st Annual confer- Individuals often contact Opportunity Mo- Motorsports clothing and memorabilia to sup- ence of the Opportunity Motorsports Advisory torsports with comments such as “I wish port the program and its members at the race- Board. The goal of the conference is to give something like that was around when I was in track. If you are interested in joining or would motorsports and business professional the college,” or “I wish I had the chance to do like more information, please contact Ryan opportunity to provide feedback regarding the something like that.” For these individuals, Harold by phone at (847)370-5144 or by email Opportunity Motorsports program in order to at [email protected]. ensure the continual improvement and indus- Opportunity Motorsports has developed a fan trial relevance of the program. Attendees of club program. With a simple donation of any the conference will be the student and faculty dollar amount, an individual can join the fan Opportunity Motorsports Outlook Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3 2005 Racing Season in Review

By: Seth Whitesel

This past summer I had to the The first race of the season was a priceless and will hopefully allow me to opportunity to work with Hendricks perfect example of this. Chris led the first seek a future career in motorsports. County Motorsports, owned by Jim Win- 116 laps of the race at Anderson but was ters, and driver Chris Gabehart. I worked wrecked going into turn 3 with only 9 with the team at races and was able to laps to go. This would be the story of the spend some time in the shop when I did season, one moment feeling the highest of not have classes. highs and then the next feeling the lowest of lows. In the beginning my responsibili- ties were simple, I helped load and unload The next race at Mansfield was the trailer. I also was in charge of taking no different, after winning the pole and tire temperatures when Chris would come breaking the track record Chris blew a in from practice or qualifying runs. Even right front tire and hit the turn 1 wall hard these simple tasks would make me nerv- while running second during the race. ous, but as time progressed my responsi- bilities as well as confidence grew. Chris and the team would get a win though and it came at Winchester By the end of the season I was in Speedway. This was a special win for me charge of setting up the tires for each because I only live 15 minutes from the race. This task involved me setting the speedway. I am thankful to have had the stagger and air pressures to the specifica- opportunity to be apart of the team and Seth Whitesel is the Relations Assistant for tions that Chris wanted. The season was thankful for all I was able to learn. The Purdue University’s Opportunity Mo- torsports. a rollercoaster ride with emotional highs experience I gained this past summer was and lows. My 2005 Racing Season

By: Jace Sanders touched a race car like the one I would went on to win that race, giving Chris soon be expected to help put in order. I Gabehart his first win in the series. It was learned quickly, making a number if mis- a great feeling running to join Chris and takes along the way. As I picked up the the car after the race. That would go things I needed to know, the racing sea- down as my favorite race of the season. I son began. I can remember the first race continued to learn about the car and and how new it all was to me. It was equipment. The races through the rest of great because we qualified well and led the summer were fun and exciting, having most of the race. Just about the time I some bad luck, and getting some decent really started to get excited about the race finishes. The Anderson 400 was some- and the summer that was ahead of me, we thing I looked forward to because we had got taken out by a competitor. That first to do pit stops. It was fun participating race ended on a disappointing note, get- and learning about how the stops really ting taken out of the race after leading all work. That race should have been a win but the last 9 laps. I learned one of my for the team, but an incident caused a most valuable lessons on that day, I motor problem, bad luck still haunting us. Jace Sanders is the Corporate Relations Coordinator for Purdue University’s Op- learned to hold my head high and not get portunity Motorsports. down about a poor finish. That lesson I would have to say that the became important throughout the rest of weekends at Rockford were the worst for I had the great opportunity to experience the racing season, as bad luck would me. The first time we went it was my a local racing operation first hand during haunt the whole team. 21st birthday, and it ended up raining and the summer and fall of 2005. When I the race was postponed. Then when we began working with the Hendricks The race at Winchester Speed- returned to that race we had a decent car County Motorsports team, I hadn’t way a few weeks later was amazing. We See JACE on page 4 Opportunity Motorsports Outlook Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 4

Jace continued from page 3 and had moved up as others wrecked in front of us, we performed a good pit stop and it was about time for Chris to really start racing toward the front. We were in Tentative 2006 Schedule the top ten when an impatient driver 3/18 Music City Motorplex* Nashville, TN drove into us in the corner, wrecking the car. It was really frustrating because we 4/15 Schererville, IN worked hard and had plenty of time to still race for the win, but someone felt like 4/23 Winchester Speedway* Winchester, IN putting Chris into the wall. That race was 5/6 Illiana Motor Speedway Schererville, IN the second to last of the season for me. The Nashville 400 was a really cool ex- 5/21 Baer Field Speedway* Ft. Wayne, IN perience too, and the finishing result was even better. 6/10 Illiana Motor Speedway Schererville, IN

I had the opportunity to do 6/17 Raceway Park* Clermont, IN something that not many people have the 6/24 Illiana Motor Speedway* Schererville, IN chance to do. I learned so much, made many friends and saw many great places. 7/2 Salem Speedway Salem, IN I owe a lot to the people that helped get me there and showed me the way. Hope- 7/22 Angola Motor Speedway* Angola, IN fully the journey only continues. 8/5 Illiana Motor Speedway Schererville, IN 8/19 Salem Speedway Salem, IN 9/3-4 Winchester Speedway* Winchester, IN 9/16 Illiana Motor Speedway Schererville, IN 10/14-15 Winchester Speedway* Winchester, IN 11/4-5 Music City Motorplex* Nashville, TN 12/1-3 Pensacola, FL

*CRA Super Series Event

The Circle Bound Racing machine proudly shows off the Opportunity Motorsports logo at the recent open house

Attn: Jonathon Hassler Civil Engineering Building Room G292 A 550 Stadium Mall Drive West Lafayette, IN 47707-2051 ttp://www.sallgood.biz/opportunity (765)-494-6490 Opportunity Motorsports will work in conjunction with Circle Bound Racing to field the #14 car in the 2006 racing season, including CRA Super Series events, along with other races.