Elaine Larsen Guides Florida Tech Jet Dragster to Record Speed at Orlando Dragway

University’s Champion Driver Nears 278 MPH

MELBOURNE, FLA. — In mid-season form at the first event of the season, Florida Institute of Technology jet dragster driver Elaine Larsen rocketed down the track at Orlando Dragway March 4-6 as she took the car to a record speed and elapsed time.

After hitting 271.9 mph in a 5.83-second run on Friday, Larsen guided the Florida Tech dragster to 277.7 mph and an elapsed time of 5.79 on Saturday, the best numbers to date for the two-year-old car and the fastest speeds posted at the event all weekend.

On Sunday, in elimination races, Larsen was defeated by Larsen Motorsports colleague Kat Moller, who crossed the finish line .023 seconds in front of her.

“It was great to be behind the wheel of the Florida Tech jet dragster,” Larsen said. “Getting used to a new car, I am already feeling very comfortable and I’m very excited to for the racing season. The weather was perfect on Saturday evening, and those cool temperatures led to the best times yet for the Florida Tech car.”

Paige Sanchez, Larsen’s crew chief and a graduate student at Florida Tech studying engineering, added, “It was a great weekend. Though both Elaine and I are getting used to a new car and new tune-up, on Saturday night we had the fastest car on the property and let everyone know we are ready for the challenge.”

Larsen and the Larsen Motorsports teams will next race March 18-19 at the Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. On March 25, the Florida Tech jet dragster will be on campus during the university’s Exploration Day.

Visit http://jetdragster.fit.edu for more on the Florida Tech Jet Dragster.

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