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 Winchester Speedway 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.