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Ohio State Optimistic About Chances for IRP in Electric Car

19 May 1999

COLUMBUS, OH--The Ohio State Formula Lightning electric race team will have a new look when they arrive at Indianapolis Raceway Park on May 22. For the second straight year, regular team driver Craig Taylor will miss the race because of a family commitment.

Last year he missed the race to attend his daughters college graduation while his son, Seth Taylor, a veteran of U.S. F2000 drove for OSU. This year, Seth will graduate from the University of Texas at Austin. After an extensive search, Ohio State has selected Indiana native Warren White to drive the Smokin Buckeye at the Indy Electric Challenge. Ohio State is the three time defending champion of the ABB University Spec Series for collegiate electric race cars.

Warren White has an extensive background in Mini-Champ, Formula Ford, Formula Continental, and various vintage race cars. During his 18 years of racing, White has won five regional Formula Continental championships and demonstrated the ability to run competitively in everything he has raced. White made his electric car debut at IRP last year driving for Notre Dame.

"I am really excited about driving the Smokin Buckeye," said White. "We had two great days of testing and I really like driving the car. The crew worked hard and gave me a lot of seat time. I think we have a good outlook for the race."

The race will support the USAC Silver Bullet Racing Series as a part of "Saturday Night Thunder." Unlike previous years, the race will require one pit stop. The race distance has not been officially announced, but it will be at least 20 laps. Previous races at IRP have ranged between 10-12 laps. Nine universities from across the country have entered in the event.

In last years event, Seth Taylor held off a strong challenge from Indianapolis 500 veteran Billy Roe in the University of Oklahoma entry to win. In four previous races on the .686 mile oval, OSU has three poles, three wins, and one second place finish. Seth Taylor broke his fathers track record for electric cars during qualifying last year with a stunning lap of 93.510 mph.

Ohio State will also debut new pit crew uniforms supplied by major sponsor Shoemaker Industrial Solutions. The Indy Electric Challenge will also be the first race for new team sponsors Quick Cable, LuK Clutches, and BEI Industrial Encoders.

Qualifying for the Indy Electric Challenge will begin at 4:00 p.m. CDT followed by the race at 7:45 p.m. ESPN2 will provide live coverage of Saturday Night Thunder beginning at 9:30 EDT.

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