Features: April 8, 2002

Driven to Succeed
Erin Crocker has been driving since she was 7 years old. A self-confessed speed freak, the junior industrial engineering major is now piloting a cherry red sprint car sponsored by Rensselaer.

"Erin is a trailblazer for young women in the world of professional motor sports," says Teresa Duffy, dean of enrollment management, who took the lead in pursuing the full sponsorship. "We are thrilled to support her. She demonstrates speed and competence at every turn!"

Crocker, who has career aspirations of racing Indy cars, is the only female driver in the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) — a professional racing association — and one of a handful of women sprint car drivers across the country. She is part of the two-car Woodring Racing team, led by Mike Woodring, the league's all-time win leader and seven-time ESS champion.

A typical sprint car has a 650-horsepower engine (a street legal engine is 150 hp) that can reach speeds of 140 mph on a half-mile oval dirt track. Sprint cars are extremely light and powerful — 1,300 pounds compared to a street-legal car that weighs around 3,000 lbs. To keep the car's nose to the ground, air is forced over the hood and roof by a "wing" that looks like a giant I-beam mounted on the roll bar.

Crocker's race season begins April 13, at the Black Rock Speedway in Dundee, N.Y. Fans in the Troy area can watch her race at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, N.Y., on June 7 and Aug. 23. For the full schedule, go to: www.empiresupersprints.com/Schedule2002.htm