Indiana Universities and Partners Create Alliance to Advance Motorsports Industry, Promote State as Training, Education Hub

Indianapolis is known internationally as the racing capital of the world.

Now several Indiana colleges and universities, a racing association and the state’s lead economic development agency are joining forces in order to advance the motorsports industry and raise global awareness of Indiana as the place for motorsports education, training and research.

Representatives of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation Motorsports Initiative, the Indiana Motorsports Association and seven participating universities today announced the creation of the Indiana Motorsports Education Alliance (IMEA).

Alliance higher education members are Indiana State University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Ivy Tech Community College, Marian University, Purdue University and Vincennes University – all of which offer motorsports-related courses and/or degree programs. The University of Indianapolis is also a member of the alliance.

“There are more opportunities in Indiana to get the best possible motorsports education than any other place in the United States,” says Rollie Helmling, director of the IEDC Motorsports Initiative, and a spokesperson for the newly formed IMEA.

“And now all of the participating colleges and universities are coming together to form this alliance which will allow them to work closer together for their respective programs and to promote the fact that Indiana is the state where if you want a career in the motorsports, you can be better trained and better educated in Indiana than in any other state,” says Helmling.

The universities offer race team management, marketing, safety, public relations, events management and other motorsports business courses, as well as advanced manufacturing, motorsports engineering technology and mechanical engineering technology courses. They also offer hands-on opportunities, including racing teams and internship programs.

Facilitating economic development is a key motivator in the IEDC’s and IMA’s involvement in the alliance.

IMEA establishes a direct connection between the motorsports industry and universities offering education in Indiana, says Tom Weisenbach, IMA director and an alliance spokesperson. The alliance is part of an ongoing effort to take economic development in the motorsports industry to the next level, according to Weisenbach and Helmling.

“For the state of Indiana to be able to offer prospective employers and investors the best possible opportunity to bring their motorsports business to Indiana, they have to have a very well trained, qualified and ready-to-go-to-work workforce and that is what the participating universities through the alliance bring to the state of Indiana,” Helmling says.

During a press conference at the International Motorsports Industry Show in downtown Indianapolis, Helmling and Weisenbach outlined other key goals and objectives of the IMEA, including increasing opportunities for students in the motorsports industry and better preparing them to enter the workforce; promoting motorsports in the state and aiding the government initiative to grow Indiana’s motorsports industry; and communicating additional benefits of motorsports as it can be a catalyst for energy efficiency, sustainability, diversity, etc.

INDIANA MOTORSPORTS EDUCATION ALLIANCE MEMBERS

Indiana State University

Indiana State University as a whole through its five colleges is collaborating with alumni and professionals in the industry to deliver a multidisciplinary motorsports studies program with a focus on the business of motorsports.

Central to ISU motorsports program is the College of Business, which provides courses addressing such topics as risk management, marketing and sponsorship, race team management, and the future of the motorsports industry. The College of Technology provides theory, laboratory and practical experiences in automotive engineering technology. The College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services provides courses that address issues such as safety, human performance and track management. The College of Arts & Sciences via the Department of Communication teaches public relations and event management. The College of Education supports ISU’s overall vision that motorsports is an exciting context for learning, especially for K-12 students exploring subjects such as science, technology, engineering and math.

Program Contacts:

Joyce A. Young, Ph.D.
Coordinator, Motorsports Studies Program
Editor, Journal of Marketing
Channels Professor of Marketing, College of Business
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana 47809
Voice: 812-237-2000
Fax: 812-237-7631
Email: joyce.young@indstate.edu

Randell Peters, Ph.D., CSIT
Automotive Technology Management Program Coordinator
Team Sycamore Racing
650 Cherry St.
John T. Myers Bldg. Room TC201C
Terre Haute, Indiana 47809
Office: 812-237-4962
Cell: 765-592-1227
Fax: 812-237-4527
rpeters@indstate.edu

Joe Harder, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Management Information Systems
Sycamore Motorsports Association
College of Business
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana 47809
Voice: 812-237-2000
Fax: 812-237-8133
Email: joseph.harder@indstate.edu

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

In fall semester 2008, the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology began offering the first Bachelor’s degree in Motorsports Engineering in the United States. This program is a combination of mechanical engineering and motorsports-related hands-on courses. Graduates of the program receive a degree from Purdue University.

Students participate in many projects including a Formula SAE car and the SCCA race car program.

The school also offers a certificate in Motorsports Engineering Technology which can be taken as a stand-alone program or in conjunction with a Mechanical Engineering Technology degree program. Motorsports Engineering has attracted students from all over the U.S. and the world to study on the IUPUI campus.

Program Contact:

Pete Hylton
IUPUI Director of Motorsports
Associate Professor
Mechanical Engineering Technology
IUPUI
799 W. Michigan St. - ET201T
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
Office: 317-274-7192
phylton@iupui.edu

Ivy Tech Community College

The Motorsports Program at Ivy Tech offers courses that can be taken individually or taken to complete a certificate or associate of applied science degree in motorsports. The program utilizes faculty who have real world racing experience to deliver coursework in two specific areas; high performance systems and motorsports fabrication. Both specialties include coursework that covers the business side of the racing industry to ensure students are prepared for a career within the motorsports industry.

The High Performance Specialty trains students in the mechanical areas of engine systems, electrical systems, fuel and induction systems, chassis systems and drivetrains. Students also train on the in-house Chassis Dynamometer. Graduates have the skills necessary to work as a race team mechanic, pit crew member, or shop technician.

The Fabrication Specialty trains students in all aspects of race car fabrication from chassis building to sheet metal and composites, machining and welding. Students in the Motorsports Fabrication Specialty will have the skills necessary to find employment in various areas of the motorsports industry from race teams to racing parts manufacturers.

Program Contact:

Ron Finney
Program Chair – Automotive-Motorsports Technology
Ivy Tech Community College
317-269-9273
rfinney@ivytech.edu

Marian University

Marian University's Motorsports Program emphasizes the business aspects of the motorsports industry. The program focuses on the local motorsports industry, studies business and team management, discusses marketing and sponsorship, and works with the students on an individual level to obtain employment in the industry.

Program Contact:

Michael Crawford
Asst. Professor, School of Business
Director of the Motorsports Program
Marian University
Office: 317-955-6453
Cell: 317-506-9038
mcrawford@marian.edu;

Purdue University

The Mechanical Education Technology motorsports class at Purdue University presents fundamental principles used in motorsports, with emphasis on applications in open-wheel IRL and Formula 1 type racing vehicles. The primary course focus is in the areas of vehicle aerodynamics, racing engine performance, vehicle dynamics, race data acquisition and analysis, and in general introduction of MET students to the broad range of technical challenges featured in the racing industry.

Program Contact:

Duane D. Dunlap
Professor and Associate Dean for Statewide Technology
461 Knoy Hall of Technology
Purdue University
401 North Grant Street
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2021
Phone: 765-496-9468
Fax: 765-494-0486

University of Indianapolis

Founded in 1902 by what is now the United Methodist Church, the University of Indianapolis is a comprehensive institution of higher education with a faculty and student body representing diverse faiths, nationalities, and racial and ethnic heritages. The 4,700 students are drawn from around the world to the academically challenging undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs the University offers, particularly the excellent programs in business, education and the nationally ranked health sciences.

Program Contact:
Michael J. Diacin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Kinesiology
132 Ruth Lilly Fitness Center
University of Indianapolis
1400 E. Hanna Ave.
Indianapolis, Indiana 46227
Phone: 317-791-5703
Fax: 317-788-3472
diacinm@uindy.edu

Vincennes University

At the Aviation Technology Center Vincennes University students learn 46 different technology based disciplines relating to aviation maintenance. Because of the high skill level and various disciplines aircraft technicians are often sought out as race technicians. In addition to the training at the ATC, VU also has an advanced manufacturing program. These graduates are also a vital part of the racing industry.

Program Contact:
Brittany Baxter
Marketing Director
Vincennes University
Office: 317-381-6000
Cell: 317-225-7176
bbaxter@vinu.edu

Indiana Motorsports Association

Indiana Motorsports Association was founded May, 2006.
The Indiana Motorsports Association, Inc. is a specialized association in pursuit of unifying all motorsports business-related interests within the State of Indiana and to enrich the economic impact of Indiana motorsports businesses.
IMA has developed key relationships with the racing business community as well as governmental institutions and universities. IMA sees its mission as not only that of a racing association, but as a unique and determined focal point that can reach multiple automotive manufacturers, racing teams and companies to aid with the creation of economic growth in the State of Indiana. A healthy racing industry in Indiana is good for the entire motorsports industry.
Program Contact:

Tom Weisenbach
Office: 317-387-9680
tom@indianamotorsports.org

Indiana Economic Development Corporation

Indiana Economic Development Corporation is the Department of Commerce for Indiana

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels recognizes the value in the Motorsports Industry and formed a position or Initiative (within the IEDC) to specialize in the industry. The IEDC’s mission is to work with existing Indiana motorsports companies to help them grow as well as attract new motorsports industry to Indiana.

Program Contact:

Rollie Helmling
Director, Automotive & Motorsports Initiative
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
One North Capitol, Suite 700
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Office: 317-232-8894
Cell: 317-439-6850
rhelmling@iedc.in.gov
www.AccelerateIndiana.com
www.indianamotorsports.gov

To arrange interviews with university spokespersons, contact Diane Brown in the Office of Communications and Marketing/External Affairs at 317-274-2195 (office); 317-371-0437 (cell); habrown@iupui.edu.