April 2003
IOWA ELECTRATHON — RACING TOWARD THE FUTURE
Vol. 4 No. 4
$1000 Lap Money for May 17 Race
The Advisory Board agreed with Pat Higby that our budget this year will allow lap money to be
awarded to cars racing at Marshalltown, Iowa International Raceway on May 17th. To qualify,
cars must be registered for the race by May 10th.
See the website to check on your registration now! http://uni.edu/ceee/electrathon
Officials discuss upcoming
race inspections
Individuals willing to volunteer as Iowa Electrathon Safety
inspectors met at Kennedy to discuss the new rules and what
to look for on a car as it goes through inspection. “This year
we would really like to have uniformity and efficiency in the
inspection area,” says Landis Wiley, 2003 Race Flag Man.
In order to refine the process, the Iowa Electrathon Board
wanted to put together a team of volunteers that would travel
to many of the races and inspect all the cars. “A few new
people responded to our newsletter ad asking for
volunteers,” said Amy Fitzpatrick, student director of the
Electrathon, “but we would really like some more diversity on
our inspection team.”
“Safety is our number one concern here at the Electrathon
races,” says Pat Higby, IE Manager. “We want not only to
ensure the safety of our drivers, but also want our teams to
feel secure when they are out there on the track. However,
we also want this to be a fun experience for all involved.”
2 cars, 1 number; The IE Advisory Board
clarifies the Rules.
After a lot of discussion about the much debated
question, “Does Iowa Electrathon allow 2 cars to race
under 1 number,” the Iowa Electrathon Board has came to
a decision! The rules will state that a team can have as
many parts for a car with one number as long as they are
under the $2500.00 limit in 1A and 2A. This means if an
Electrathon team has two chassis to race, and they both
add up to be less than $2500 if the first one is wrecked the
second chassis can be pulled off the shelf and the car can
be rebuilt and raced for the remainder of the season. Once
this switch has taken place, the 1st chassis can not race
with the same number for the remainder of the season.
Also the board has decided to allow anything in 3A since
this is an experimental class.
Continued on the top of Page 3…..
In this Issue…
Officials discuss upcoming race inspections...pg 1
What is the fate of the Electron Program?...pg 1
Area Elementary Schools come to the CEEE...pg 2
Changing Leadership one step at a time… pg 4
Current Update...pg 4
Upcoming Race Information and Schedule...pg 5
Above Barry Wilson (back
new rules and explains
Students from Prairie and
about the new inspection
official team!
to camera) reads over the
the inspection process.
Kennedy listen in to lean
rules as well as the new
Iowa Electrathon News
PA G E 2
Area Elementary Schools come to CEEE to
learn about Electrathon and Energy Conservation
On April 11th we were proud to welcome the fourth graders from Black Hawk Elementary School and third graders from
Cedar Falls Hanson to the CEEE. The students were greeted by Amy Fitzpatrick, IE Director, and Pat Higby, CEEE Energy
Educator. The kids toured the building with Pat, and learned all about the Electrathon Program with Amy. A short 20 minute
presentation by Amy informed the students all about our hopes for opening the program to the Cedar Falls/Waterloo School
District. Later, the kids drew their own Electrathon car which will be displayed at the CEEE for all visitors to see. The tour
was just as exciting and allowed the students to learn more about the functions of the CEEE facility. This experience was not
only educational, but enjoyable. The fourth graders of Black Hawk Elementary School were a joy to work with and we
welcome them back at any time.
The kids wait anxiously to
hear about presentations
about solar energy and
the Iowa Electrathon
Program.
Want to learn more
about our Electrathon Program!
Come to our first race at Marshalltown on May 17th. You’ll have lots of fun. Hurry! Drive
down and come see what all the talk is about!
Coming Soon!
Classified Section. Do you have parts that need to
be sold?? Send the information to electrathon@uni.
edu and it will be posted in the next newsletter and
on our website.
Opinion Section. Make you opinion heard!! Email a
letter with your name and contact information, and
we will place it on our website. We will not accept
anonymous letters. Please send opinion letters to
electrathon@uni.edu.
Thanks to Fisher Controls, Stone’s Restaurant and
Wal-Mart for donating to the Alliant Energy Iowa
Electrathon in Marshalltown on May 17th!
Stone’s
Since 1887
Iowa Electrathon News
PA G E 3
1 Car, 2 Numbers continued…..
“We really would like to encourage teams to try new things and
be creative, that is why we have a 3A division.” said Mike Hay.
A lot of other options were discussed to try and solve this heated
debate. One member suggested that we drop the series so we
don’t have to worry about what cars show up. But this also
posses a tough question, what motivates teams to come to the
smaller races? Will we lose attendance? The board agreed that
this may not me the best option right now!
In summary, teams can not substitute cars in divisions 1A
and 2A. They may, or course repair or improve cars between
races as long as the total of the cars remains $2500 or less.
Cars in division 3A may exceed the $2500 limit, and include
innovative ideas such as photovoltaic cells or specialized
chassis for different tracks.
Other issues addressed by the board included the penalties
for cars unable to pass safety inspections at the end of a heat. It
was concluded that for minor penalties such as non functioning
brake lights that a car will receive lap penalties; for larger
infractions such as an underweight driver or unknowingly driving
with out brakes the car will be disqualified for that heat; and for
major infractions such as knowingly driving with out brakes or
mirrors will be disqualified from the event.
The final change dealt with dates reports will be due next
year. Monthly reports will be due on or before the first day of
January, February, March, and April. Final reports/journals must
be postmarked on or before May 1.
This has been a challenging year for the board, but they are
dedicated to improving Iowa Electrathon. Creating three
divisions and adding braking and maneuverability competitions
has made the program more interesting and provided
opportunities for more teams regardless of size to succeed.
“There have been lots of changes, and we think they are a good
thing,” commented Pat Higby.
Interested in volunteering?
Know someone who is?
Iowa Electrathon needs your help at the
Marshalltown Race on May 17. For details contact:
Amy Fitzpatrick @ electrathon@uni.edu!
Marshalltown Speedway
Schedule for Marshalltown Race, May 17th
8:30 Registration begins
9:00 Safety Inspection begins
9:05 Hot lap immediately following
inspections
10:30 Driver Meeting
10:45 Flag ceremony and announcements
11:00 1st Heat, green flag by Alliant Energy
12:00 Checkered flag by Dave Vault
1:00 Green flag, second heat begins
2:00 Checkered flag, by Bill Dotzler
2:45 Awards Ceremony
Here’s a glimpse of the newest
Electrathon Team…
Sioux Central High School
Sioux-Central High School, Electrathon’s newest team, gears up for the
upcoming season. Team members include: Jake Carlson, Andy
Demers, Zeb Donnell, Will Jones, Justin Messick, Liz Reed, Jake
Skelton, Jesob Steffen, Jared Wittmack, Cody Wittmack, and advisors
Keith Stoeber, Joe Baber and Wally Woelber.
Iowa Electrathon News
PA G E 4
Changing Leadership
One Step at a Time
Leadership is a key issue when working with others in a professional setting. Transforming one self to become a
knowledgeable and respected leader can be difficult, however, it is possible. Sound change is rooted in respect for oneself
as well as one’s co-workers. One must devote not only their time, but their energy as well. Motivation and hard work are what
is needed in order to accomplish this goal.
Those who are willing to make this commitment must first transform themselves from the status of a victim to the status of
leader. This is a complex process that involves four key steps: denial, resistance, exploration, and commitment. Individuals
with in this stage of development generally exhibit “an everything as usual attitude.” They become numb to the possibility of
improvement or change. They might often say “Things were much better in the past.” This disbelief that possible change
could be looked at positively is not something a person in this stage even considers, however, changing one’s thinking and
attitude is possible if the next few steps are followed consistently and with determination.
Stage two involves resistance meaning resistance of the individual to accept any possible change. They outwardly show their
feelings of anger and hurt by blaming others and complaining. They might say “If I don’t cooperate, the change can’t
happen.” In this stage the individual will proceed with any means necessary in order to prevent this change from taking place.
The third stage is exploration. At this time in the individual’s development they have progressed and no longer exhibit
feelings of anger and hostility toward the idea of change. Instead they are hopeful and realistic. They have come to view this
change as positive; as an opportunity for them to turn this experience into something beneficial for themselves. They begin to
visualize how this change can improve future development.
The final stage is commitment. In this stage the individual has willing accepted that change has occurred and is not only
beneficial to themselves but their environment and work. They have focus and are open to the possibilities of teamwork and
cooperation. They now express themselves in a positive optimistic manner stating “I like things better this way” or “I wonder
what will change next?”
Throughout this process, the individual has experienced a complex set of emotions from denial to finally commitment.
However, along the way they have managed to overcome feelings of anger, resentment, and frustration. They have allowed
themselves let go of the negative feelings they once had to make room for not only improvement but better communication
skills have been developed. This individual has made a successful transformation from victim to leader. They are now a
leader that is respected, valued, and praised for their openness and commitment to their work and fellow peers.
CEEE and Electrathon Welcomes Heather Hooks!
Recently, a new member of the UNI
community joined our staff here at UNI.
Heather Hooks, joined us this spring as
our new Public Relations Director. She
is a sophomore this year and is
majoring in Graphic Communications.
We are very excited to have Heather as
a part of our team.
Heather write more!
Coming In Our Next Issue...
Look forward to our next issue of
Iowa Electrathon News. We’ll have
the latest information on the races,
times and dates for races, and the
results of the Marshalltown Race!
Also, to find out more about the
program you can log on the web and
go to http://www.uni.edu/ceee/
electrathon. You can find out about
the teams, their members, and see all
the cool cars they have designed.
Iowa Electrathon News
PA G E 5
THE 2003 IOWA
ELECTRATHON TEAM
Race Schedule for 2003 Season
Marshalltown Spring
IA Int. Race
May 17
Cedar Rapids
Hawkeye Downs
May 30-31
Pomeroy- Palmer Race
Street Race
June 21-22
Forest City
To be Announced
Sept. 6
Muscatine
Weed Park
Sept. 20
UNI Fall Race
UNI Campus
Sept. 27
Bill Stigliani—Director, CEEE
(319) 273-2573 or william.stigliani@uni.
edu
Pat Higby—Energy Educator, CEEE
(319) 273-6012 or higby@uni.edu
Amy Fitzpatrick — Director of the Iowa
Electrathon, CEEE, 319-273-3850 or
amyfitz@uni.edu
Heather Hooks—Public Relations
Director , CEEE, hooks@uni.edu
Early stages of Muscatine's car
(left), Manson NW Wester’s car
(bottom) and St. Ansgar’s car (right)!