KTIV NewsChannel 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and SportsIndy car gets NW Iowa students 'tuned up' for class

Indy car gets NW Iowa students 'tuned up' for class

EMMETSBURG, Iowa (KTIV) - If you're a NASCAR fan, or just a car enthusiast, in general, this next story might get your motor running. An Indy race car made it's way to Iowa Lakes Community College for the mechanic students to check out.

News Channel Four's Melissa Lanzourakis also stopped by to try to get a piece of the action.

To be honest, I'm not really into race cars.  But since we all know I'm up for an adventure of any sorts, I thought I'd give this story a try.  They tell me

"This is a Dallara IR which is an Indy car, " said Sgt. Darrel Wayne Troxel.

I'm not sure what Dallara means, but since I've managed a speeding ticket or two, I do understand this car could easily put me behind bars.

"230 miles per hour on average," said Sgt. Troxel.

And, it's corn-fed.

"This runs on 100-percent ethanol, " said Larry Danielson a professor of automotive technology.

After listening for a little while...

"They would tune it aerodynamically just like any other type of air foils so between balancing it with that and the suspension and the engine and track conditions it's quite a feat to put it together successfully, " said Bruce Wilbur a student.

And a little while longer...

"It's got a Honda motor in it, a V-8, 670 horse power, " said Sgt. Troxel.

I ask about the obvious...

"Now did they say whether you could drive it or not?" asked News Channel Four's Melissa Lanzourakis.

"I'm pretty sure they're not going to let me have the keys this time, " said Wilbur.

"No one wanted to let you drive it?" asks Melissa Lanzourakis.

"No, no one wanted to let me drive it, " said Danielson.

"So no one actually gets in it and drives it here?" asks Lanzourakis.

"No, there's actually no motor in it right now, " said St. Troxel.

"So, I guess no one is going to get to drive it, they let me sit on the tire, but judging by this sign I don't get to touch it at all, " said Lanzourakis.

Dan Weldon is so lucky.  But maybe I'll get to drive it someday, in my dreams!

The National Guard sponsors the race car.

And when it's not on the racing circuit it's hauled around in a trailer for promotional use.