BYU's formula electric racing team wins first place at Tustin Thunder Raceway after promoter moves multi-university race from Sunday to Saturday

Brigham Young University's formula electric car racing team stunned its competition Saturday by winning first place during the school's first trip to the multi-university Tustin Thunder Race in Tustin, Calif.

"We almost can't believe it ourselves," said Tom Erekson, director of BYU's School of Technology. "We didn't think there was any chance at all of winning the whole thing."

BYU's team traveled to the weekend competition thinking the school's battery-powered car would not compete in the event's main race on Sunday, a day on which BYU students refuse to compete for religious reasons.

"We went down there thinking we'd get some experience in Saturday's heat race for future competitions," said Erekson. "But then the race promoter told me that other teams didn't mind changing the main race to Saturday night so we could participate."

BYU's car, named "Electric Blue," is powered by 28 lead-acid batteries that can push the car to speeds of up to 120 miles per hour. The car is part of the School of Technology's ongoing project to study and develop electronic vehicles that are environmentally friendly, said Erekson.

Preparing the blue and white racer for the Tustin Thunder competition helped engineering and technology students gain valuable hands-on experience.

"Students had to take precise measurements, analyze mathematical data and make important adjustments to the car so it would perform exactly the way our driver wanted it to," said Erekson.

During the 15-mile race in Tustin, professional driver Spencer Trenery operated the car and 10 BYU students acted as the pit crew, changing 1,200 pounds of batteries in just over 20 seconds.

Jake Egbert, an engineering graduate student and pit crew chief, complimented his fellow students for their quick work.

"I was really impressed with the teamwork," he said. "It really paid off in the pit stop." And apparently the pit crew's speedy battery change was the key to winning the race, said Erekson.

"The students changed the car's batteries faster than any other team, and that made the time difference between first and second place," he said.

When receiving the trophy at the award ceremony, Trenery said, "I owe this win to the BYU team. They worked hard to get the car set up and ready to race, and they had a great pit stop. They are the ones who won the race."

Perry Carter, a faculty advisor, agreed, "The students did a great job and represented BYU very well. They worked as a team and got the job done."

Electric Blue also took first place in the preliminary heat race, winning the pole position for Saturday night's main event. BYU's racer logged the fastest lap on the 1.7-mile road course, clocking in at 1 minute 25 seconds. Throughout the race, the car averaged 76 miles per hour.