Ohio State Powers to Second Cleveland Electric Formula Classic Win
12 July 1997
Ohio State Powers to Second Cleveland Electric Formula Classic WinCLEVELAND, July 12 -- In a race marked by speedy pit stops, Ohio State University's powerful entry smoothly steered to a first-place finish in the Cleveland Electric Formula Classic sponsored by The Illuminating Company. OSU's winning racer, driven by veteran Craig Taylor, reached a top speed of 110 miles per hour and had a fast lap time of 1:39.005. Bowling Green University placed second and General Motors Institute finished third. Taylor credits his second win in the Classic to the teamwork of the students in producing an excellent vehicle. "Our prime concern was a car that makes it through the day and a great team to make the battery change," he said. The team met the challenge with a 17-second pit stop. Coming in a close second, the Bowling Green University car driven by Larry Crosser had the distinction of stopping for two battery changes. The race includes one mandatory battery-exchange pit stop. The Cleveland Electric Formula Classic showcases the high-speed performance and environmental benefits of electric-powered cars. A total of six CART-style cars prepared by major universities from across the nation competed today for more than $35,000 in prize money on Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport as part of the Medic Drug Grand Prix. "Today's events truly showcased the exciting accomplishments of electric vehicle technology. The racers were competing with the most advanced electric cars on the planet, and the performance characteristics of these cars will soon be available to the general public at local dealerships," said Murray Edelman, president of The Illuminating Company. Nine universities fielded identical single-seat, open-wheel race cars sporting sleek bodies measuring only 30 inches high and 163 inches long. The engineering and technology students installed the motors, drive systems and batteries. Three contenders, including last year's winning car from Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis, did not complete the race. Notre Dame University completed a half lap; West Virginia University and IUPUI did not grid. Following is a listing of all participants and official times: Finish Driver School Fast Lap Speed 1 Craig Taylor The Ohio State University 1:39.005 86.177 2 Larry Crosser Bowling Green State Univ. 1:39.181 86.024 3 Tom Bagley General Motors Institute 1:47.742 79.189 4 Chris Reinke Wright State University 1:52.785 75.648 5 Todd Cannon University of Oklahoma 1:44.786 81.423 6 Tom Sneva Bowling Green State Univ. 1:42.147 83.526 7 Mark Folkert University of Notre Dame n/a n/a 8 Chris Shultz Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis n/a n/a 9 Thomas Bedell West Virginia Univeristy n/a n/a SOURCE Cleveland Electric Formula Classic