Driven to Explore @ Dallara Experience Hub

Get ready for an exciting in-person event at the Dallara Experience Hub hosted by GM Motorsports IMPACT! Dive into a world of speed, innovation, and adrenaline as you explore cutting-edge racing tech and thrilling interactive modules. Whether you're a gearhead or just curious, this is your chance to experience motorsport like never before. Don't miss out on learning from the best industry professionals in the business and enjoying a day packed with fun and discovery!

As you register, please rank these in order of interest. We will do our best to match you according to interest. Students will participate in 4 modules during the day.

Led by Holmatro Sales Manager and former first responder, Jason Feinstein, go behind the scenes with the gear that saves lives. Holmatro is the industry leader in extrication tools (the "Jaws of Life") used by the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team.

• Key Focus: The physics of hydraulics and the engineering/robotics behind specialized tools designed to cut through high-strength alloys and composites.
• The Experience: Understand the rapid-response technology required to stabilize a crash scene and safely extract a driver in seconds. See tools in real life, as well as bodywork from cars taken from passenger cars.

In this module, students trade the keyboard for the transmitter, diving into the mechanical soul of racing. This isn’t just about driving fast; it’s a masterclass in vehicle dynamics where the clock is the ultimate judge.

• Key Focus: Mastering timing and weight transfer. Students learn how the physical movement of the car’s mass—shifting forward under braking and rearward during acceleration—directly affects tire grip and cornering speed.
• The "Line": Drivers must find the perfect racing line, learning that a fraction of a second in braking timing can either settle the chassis for a perfect turn or cause a spin-out.
• Throttle Control: Participants practice managing weight transfer to keep the car balanced, discovering how smooth inputs lead to consistent, repeatable lap times.
• Data vs. Feel: By observing how the car "pitches" and "rolls," students develop an intuitive understanding of the physics that GM engineers calculate every day in the lab.

In this high-stakes coding challenge, students step into the role of software engineers for a professional drag racing team. The mission is simple but demanding: program a Sphero robot to accelerate down the strip and stop exactly on a specified target in the shortest time possible.

• Key Focus: Mastering the fundamentals of computer programming (logic, loops, and variables) while distinguishing between accuracy (hitting the center of the target) and precision (hitting that same spot consistently).
• Teamwork: Teams must analyze data from each "run" to tweak their code, adjusting speed and timing parameters. Students collaborate to troubleshoot code under pressure, mimicking the fast-paced environment of a real pit crew.
• The Finish Line: It’s a race against both the clock and the competition where one line of code can be the difference between a podium finish and disqualification.

Led by the world-renowned Dallara Composites Team, discover the "black magic" of the racing world: Carbon Fiber. This module dives into the materials science that makes modern race cars incredibly light yet incredibly strong.

• Key Focus: The layup process, resin application, and vacuum bagging techniques used to create Dallara’s aerodynamic components.
• The Experience: Get a close-up look at how raw fabric is transformed into a structural masterpiece capable of surviving 230 mph impacts. You will even make your own scale model car and take it home!

In the world of professional racing, the action off the track is just as intense as the race itself. This module puts students in the front office of a high-profile racing team, where they manage the brand, the broadcast, and the bottom line.

• Key Focus: The intersection of business development, creative design, and live communication. Students learn that a fast car is only half the battle; the other half is funding it and telling its story to the world.
• Sponsorship Acquisition: Master the art of the "pitch." Students develop value propositions to attract corporate partners, learning how to balance brand alignment with the financial needs of a racing season.
• Graphic Design & Merchandising: Go from concept to consumer. Teams design team liveries and "hero" merchandise, understanding how visual identity drives fan loyalty and revenue.
• Sports Broadcasting: Step behind the mic and the camera. Participants practice interviewing drivers or being a driver interviewed to learn what it takes to convey a story.

Step into the driver’s seat and experience the digital frontier of professional motorsports. In this module, students utilize Dallara’s high-fidelity static simulators—the same foundational tech used by racing teams to sharpen their edge without the logistical overhead of a live track.

• Key Focus: Mastering car control and race strategy. Students move beyond "gaming" to understand how driver inputs—smooth steering, threshold braking, and throttle management—dictate the behavior of a high-performance machine.
• Telemetry Analysis: Teams will learn to "read the squiggly lines," analyzing basic data overlays to see exactly where they are gaining or losing time on the track.
• Strategic Thinking: It’s not just about speed; it’s about the "big picture." Participants must make split-second decisions on fuel management, tire wear, and when to push versus when to save.
• Precision Driving: With the absence of physical motion, drivers must rely on visual and auditory cues to maintain control at the limit, mimicking the focus required in a real INDYCAR cockpit.

Step into the shoes of an automotive engineer and master the invisible force of drag. In this module, students transform from designers to data analysts, constructing their own custom LEGO vehicles and putting them to the test in a professional-grade wind tunnel to discover how shape and airflow dictate velocity.

• Key Focus: Engineering Aerodynamic Efficiency. Students move beyond aesthetics, learning to manipulate the "geometry of speed." They experiment with body contours, spoilers, and ground clearance to understand how to minimize drag and maximize performance.
• Data-Driven Design: Using precision sensors, teams will measure the force of the wind against their models. They will translate these findings into iterative design changes, learning that even minor adjustments in shape can lead to significant gains in stability and speed.
• The Physics of Flow: Through hands-on testing, students will visualize how air travels over, under, and around their creations. This provides a tangible look at the science of lift and turbulence, essential concepts in both high-performance motorsports and aerospace design.
• Iterative Problem Solving: The wind tunnel serves as a "fail-fast" laboratory. Students must analyze their results, identify drag-inducing design flaws, and immediately apply their findings to refine their car, mirroring the rapid prototyping processes used by top-tier racing teams.

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Host or Publisher GM Motorsports IMPACT and Dallara