Dr. Edward Potkanowicz, Ohio Northern University associate professor of exercise physiology, has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Raptor Motorsports LLC and $15,000 of in-kind funding from Inde Motorsports Ranch to support research in human thermoregulation/sports performance and driver science.

The funds were used to cover the cost of equipment, travel and facility rental for a weeklong field research trip to Willcox, Ariz. Potkanowicz was accompanied by Dan Colvin, a senior exercise physiology major from Tipp City.

Colvin worked along side Potkanowicz and assisted in the data-collection process. The pair spent the week collecting real-time driving data from both competitive/professional racecar drivers and motorcycle riders.

The trip was part of Potkanowicz’s ongoing R.A.C.E.R. Project. The R.A.C.E.R. Project, whose name is an acronym for The Real Assessment of Core and Environmental Responses, seeks to quantify and evaluate the physical stress experienced by driver-athletes during motorsport competition.

As a result of his work, Potkanowicz is working to make data-based recommendations to the motorsport community in order to improve driver safety, tolerance and performance.