Ohio State's Formula Lightning Team placed first in three competitions at the Winchester Speedway in Winchester, IN over the July 28-30 weekend. Five other Lightning teams joined Ohio State at the track for the first race of the 2000 season. A test of mechanical and electrical engineering skills, student teams must design, construct, and operate an electric drive system for a specially built Indy-style racing chassis to participate in the Formula Lightning competitions.
Students work throughout the academic year perfecting and improving their entries.
According to Craig Taylor, the Smokin' Buckeye driver, the students' efforts have paid off. The car is handling great right now. The team has put in a lot of sleepless nights to get things running smoothly and it shows. It still amazes me what a great group they are. The car performed flawlessly and led the pack to the checkered flag with speeds in excess of 100 mph.