Motorsports Engineering Club in Indianapolis wins second annual Halloween Hundred
“It was great feeling knowing we won,” said Layla Heffelmire, a senior in motorsports engineering in Indianapolis and crew chief of the champion #4 kart. “This isn’t my win, this isn’t Sam’s [the driver’s] win. It’s our win, as a team. Every single one of us was there putting in the work.”
The Motorsports Engineering Club at Purdue has been around since the IUPUI days, working closely with faculty and staff to give students hands-on experience in the motorsports industry. The club races three karts in the Purdue Grand Prix, and has also competed in the evGrandPrix. They also have an MG and a former Formula SAE car in their garage. Students can get in-depth experience through roles ranging from data analytics to mechanical work.
“Being so close to industry, gives us so many resources and opportunities,” said Heffelmire. “There’s no better place to be.”
This was the club’s first time racing in the Halloween Hundred, and they brought three karts to compete. “I’ve been with the #4 kart since my freshman year,” said Sam Griffin, mechanical engineering senior in Indianapolis, and the team’s driver. “We’ve worked really hard this semester to get the kart ready for the race. There’s been a lot of late nights at the shop.”
“Our main goals were the engine and creating a kart that is specific to each driver,” said Heffelmire. “We prioritize getting our engine rebuilt because we don’t want one with a lot of hours on it, especially before a long race. Another thing we prioritize is gathering driver feedback and creating the kart around that feedback. Sam has been driving since he was a kid, so he’s great to work with.”
Every driver is different and prefers their kart a certain way. Much like adjusting the seat and mirrors in a normal road car, Grand Prix teams tweak the kart’s front end geometry by adjusting tie rods and tires, affecting how the car drives.
The team started strong, setting the fastest lap in the first practice. They faced mechanical issues but resolved the problems and ended up with the fastest time during the last practice, earning pole position for the race.
“I was so nervous, I think we double-checked every bolt on our kart like four or five times,” said Heffelmire. “Once the race started, there was nothing left to do but watch and trust Sam.”
Sam maintained the lead for most of the race, battling other karts while navigating heavy traffic on the small track. The team decided to let Sam choose when to pit, meaning they had to be on the lookout for his signal.
“It was around lap 59 and I was coming up on a big group of karts to I decided now was the perfect time to pit,” said Griffin. “The pit stop was quick, and I was able to come out in front of the group as they came back around.”
Although he was ahead of the crowd, Sam still had to pass a few karts that had gotten in front. He battled his way to the lead and held it for the final 23 laps. The checkered flag waved, and Sam won the race, a lap ahead of everyone else.
“I was so relieved when we won,” said Griffin. “We’ve been working so hard these last few years, so it felt great to finally win.”
With another win under their belt, the Motorsports Engineering Club continues to make their presence known — and they’re already setting their sights on the next race.
“I’m really glad that our team got to experience this win together,” said Heffelmire.
Sponsors and Supporters: Motorsports Engineering Club, Glassboard, Legends7 Motorsports, PSG Enterprise, Comet Kart Sales
Writer: Julia Davis, juliadavis@purdue.edu