Science Makes the Grade at the Races

In only their first start in racing competition, the Science of Racing Team went all the way to the final round of the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Nationals in San Antonio on Sunday, March 26, 2006.

Rockville, MD (PRWEB) April 19, 2006 -- Paul Lee, Chief Operations Officer and Driver for the Science of Racing, qualified at the IHRA season opener with a career best elapsed time of 4.912 seconds but lost to veteran Gary Densham in the final round. “This was a great weekend for the Science of Racing and our new education partner, Drexel University’s Math Forum,” Lee said. “To go to the final round in our first race of 2006 is beyond belief.”

The Science of Racing is an innovative education program which focuses on addressing the waning interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the United States. It combines the fun of interactive exhibits, the visibility and excitement of motorsports, and the relevance of an education platform.

“Our ultimate goal is to help increase the pipeline of students choosing math- and science-related careers,” states Reakha Janus, President of Janus Consulting and founder of the Science of Racing. “We want kids to explore it and live it, because it’s their future.”

The Science of Racing has established alliances with the education community. Their education partner -- The Math Forum @ Drexel -- is the leading online resource for improving math learning, teaching, and communication. It is an educational and research enterprise of the Drexel University School of Education, ranked as one of America’s best graduate schools by U.S. News & World Report. Other educational institutions, particularly those with engineering and technology schools have also expressed interest in becoming involved with the Science of Racing.

In addition to establishing alliances with the education community, the Science of Racing is currently in negotiations with several racing sanctioning bodies.

The NHRA is already home to one of motorsports’ premier education programs for young men and women. The NHRA's Youth and Education Services (YES) Program, sponsored by the U.S. Army, is motorsports' first and only full-time program devoted exclusively to educational programming.

The IHRA is excited about leveraging racing with education to their loyal fan base. “I truly believe that this is the most dynamic program to come to the sport of drag racing in the last 20 years. The Science of Racing program touches America’s youth and the need to learn science and technology,” says Aaron Polburn, President of IHRA. “What better way to learn science and technology than from drag racing – a sport where there are literally hundreds of ways to learn science at the race track in a fun family atmosphere.”

By emphasizing the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through the exciting sport of professional racing -- one of the most exciting and visually appealing spectator sports in America -- the Science of Racing hopes to reach teachers, parents and students with the message of how math and science translates into exciting and successful careers.

"We're very happy and pleased with the exposure Science of Racing received in our first time out," says Reakha Janus. "We didn't really know what to expect and the response was beyond our wildest dreams. Hopefully we'll be able to get some corporate support that will help us continue the program in the future."

About Janus Consulting, Inc.

Janus Consulting, Inc. -- a ten year-old Maryland-based firm -- provides expert proposal development services to Federal government contractors. Janus Consulting has helped clients develop complex competitive bid responses valued at approximately $50B in proposed earnings. The Science of Racing was developed by Reakha Janus, founder and president of Janus Consulting.

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