Lima Reporter

University of Northwestern Ohio Athletics issued the following announcement on March 17.

After a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UNOH Motorsports Team was eager to make their annual trip to Volusia Speedway Park in Florida for the UMP DIRTCar Winter Nationals in 2022. UNOH sent 3 cars driven by 3 different drivers and crewed by 24 members of the team. The University-built modified cars were driven by three UNOH graduates: 2015 graduate Joel Ortberg from High Ridge, Missouri, 2016 graduate Andy Galgoci from Fenton, Michigan, and 2021 graduate Brenden Rassel from Woonsocket, South Dakota. 

The trip to Florida is always a great opportunity for the Motorsports Team to put the skills they’ve learned in class to the test. “Within UNOH we are provided with a great extent of hands-on experience in the classes,” Jamie Sullivan, right rear tech of the #01 Modified, explained. “I’d have to say that the class that played the most effective role within our weekend for our team would be fabrication. Unfortunately, we ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time resulting in the right rear quarter, sail panel, spoiler, and decking, as well as mounts being destroyed. Through the education our team had from our fab class, it enabled up to make a fast return to the track.”

Jamie is a Florida native and has been around a dirt track for years, even having watched the Motorsports Team compete many times before she was a student. Jamie shared her first year competing at Volusia with her teammate, Randy Giroux the left rear tech for the #01 Modified. 

“Before this trip,” Randy stated, “I didn’t have a whole lot of experience working on a UMP modified outside of what I’ve done at school. Being able to have the firsthand experience and learn about the car at the track during a competitive race was invaluable.”

Reflecting on the trip, Randy said, “the best part about being a member of the UNOH Motorsports Team is the opportunities you get while getting your ‘feet wet’ in the industry. Being able to work and learn alongside my schoolmates at one of the biggest races of the year was priceless.”

The hands-on experience is not the only benefit of the trip. It’s also a perfect time to make connections. “The University of Northwestern Ohio is known by many people around the world,” Jamie stated. “Through this, we are welcomed with open arms when looking at applying for positions in the motorsports industry. At the track we were able to put our classroom knowledge to the test in front of hundreds of successful teams.”

Florida in February is just the beginning the season for the UNOH Motorsports Team. They are looking forward to a summer full of races on the dirt at Limaland Motorsports Park and other Midwest tracks. 

Original source can be found here.