Why Sponsor the WVU Formula Lightning Team?

Electric vehicles are currently emerging as an exciting new industry. With growing concerns over pollution, energy consumption, and dependence on foreign oil, the age of electric vehicles is developing at an extraordinary pace. West Virginia University has embarked on this exciting new field of technology, and we are inviting sponsors to join in the excitement surrounding electric vehicles and electric racing.

Building an electric race car and taking it to competition is an extremely expensive undertaking. Without sponsor support, a vehicle like WVU's Formula Lightning would not be possible. The success of the team, in many respects, is directly linked to the amount of support received for the project.

Participation in the Formula Lightning competition will undoubtedly prove to be a terrific opportunity for both West Virginia University and those involved in sponsoring the vehicle. This vehicle does and will continue to receive a tremendous amount of exposure both at competitions and at home. Past seasons events have drawn large crowds and two of the events were televised. This 1995 Cleveland Electric Formula Classic was broadcast on the PRIME Sports Network, and the Indianapolis race in both 1994 and 1995 was internationally televised on ESPN as part of the network's Thursday Night Thunder coverage. In addition, WVU displays the Formula Lightning vehicle at high school career days, area car shows including being the feature attraction at the Morgantown Mall Drag Mania, alumni tents at WVU football games, as well as a number of electric vehicle demonstrations. The car even made an appearance on Mountaineer Field during the Virginia Tech football game.

WVU is excited about having the opportunity to be part of such an important and historically significant new technology. Traditionally, racing has been the time honored proving ground for new automotive and transportation technology. The goal of WVU's involvement in the Formula Lightning competitions is not simply to win races, but is to provide real world experience to WVU engineering students and to demonstrate the feasibility and capabilities of electric vehicles. It is necessary to illustrate to the public that electric vehicles can be high performance, high speed cars. Although few people will require such high performance vehicles, the image of EVs portrayed by electric racing will definitely have a positive effect on the public's view of electric passenger cars. Thus satisfying the goal of improving public perception of electric vehicles.

Becoming a sponsor of the WVU Formula Lightning Project is definitely not a one sided endeavor as the Team can offer a number of worthwhile benefits in return. First, and foremost is the above mentioned advertising visibility provided by the vehicle both at competitions and at home. The value of such exposure is immeasurable. Second, sponsoring this student project promotes education and benefits students. Students participating in this project are given the opportunity to do real world, hand on engineering. They learn to meet deadlines, to accept responsibility, and to work together as a team. Sponsorship not only provides the much needed financial support but gives students a special kind of encouragement in knowing that they are working not only for themselves and the team, but for others who have faith in them and their abilities. With this kind of encouragement, students work harder, perform better, and stretch themselves to meet team goals and expectations. Sponsorship allows students to perform to their full potential, rather than being stifled by a lack of support. Third, sponsoring an electric vehicle shows a commitment to the environment by involvement with an environmentally friendly form of transportation. Finally, any donations made to the WVU Formula Lightning Team are tax deducible.

Links

Power of DC - Annual Electric Vehicle Drag Race Event

Megawatt Motorworks - Electric Vehicle Info

Energy Planet - Renewable Energy Directory

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Faculty Advisor: Dr. Roy Nutter (Roy.Nutter @ mail.wvu.edu) Webmaster: Brent Freeman (brent.freeman @ gmail.com)