Why is this message on a race car?
In a time when we are all concerned about the nuclear emergency in Japan, we are focusing on safety and applying lessons learned. This is an important time to learn more about nuclear technology, safety and preparedness, and the benefits.
- NATIONAL EDUCATION
Nuclear is the only clean-green base load power for our nation, and racing venues across the country showcase this message with millions of fans. With our driver, Simona de Silvestro, we are also doing educational outreach across the country. - PROMOTES ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
Nuclear Clean Air Energy promotes leadership and vision for our country’s energy policy in a climate of citizen support for energy independence. - NUCLEAR MEANS JOBS
During the next five years alone, new graduates will not only be needed to replace a retiring workforce, but engineers from varying backgrounds will be required when new plants are approved for construction and to the vendor community supporting the nuclear industry. Over the next 10 years, studies indicate that as many as 90,000 nuclear professionals may be needed to meet the needs of all segments of the industry in the U.S.
Racing History
Paul Newman is almost as well-known as a racing enthusiast and entrepreneur as he was as an Academy Award® winner and purveyor of charity-driven foodstuffs. Newman also supported nuclear energy and reiterated that support after a visit to Entergy’s Indian Point Energy Center facility in 2008. “Because nuclear power doesn’t produce any emissions that cause global warming, Indian Point (NY) will be even more important in the future,” noted Newman following the tour.
The positive outcome of the visit, merged with Newman’s passion for racing, took life as he teamed up with race team owner Eddie Wachs. Together they paired the development of young, aspiring drivers and the promotion of Nuclear Clean Air Energy on race cars in the Atlantic Championship Series.
For nearly five decades, Eddie Wachs has been associated with racing as a driver and owner. He has been associated with some of the most storied names in racing—Indy 500 winners A.J. Foyt, Al and Bobby Unser, and stock car drivers Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace—and is an energetic leader of nine other companies in property, aircraft, utility, energy and other sectors.
After three years on the Atlantic Championship Series, the driver that first carried our message, Simona de Silvestro, stepped up to the IZOD INDYCAR Series and the national effort continued on her #87 car that is owned by HVM Racing.
Keith Wiggins, HVM Team Owner, is one of the foremost team principals in current motor sports
with over 30 years experience in open-wheel racing. Keith is responsible for the company’s
operation, day to day running of the team and for its strategic development. Born in London, England, in 1958, he was selected as a member of the British International Kart Team for 1975-76 and later joined Ron Dennis’ Project Four Racing in 1977, as an Engineer in British F3. In 1979, he continued his driving career in British Formula Ford, finishing second in the championship. Wiggins joined Rushen Green Racing for British F3 and he was appointed Team Manager and Engineer with Van Diemen in British and European Formula 2000. During 1984, Wiggins formed Pacific Racing as Owner, Chairman and Chief Engineer, and the team went on to record unrivalled success over the next 13 years. Pacific is the only team to have won every single-seater European Championship below Formula 1, and the only team to have climbed from the lowest rank to compete in Formula One.
Wiggins joined Lola Cars in 1998, serving as Vice-President and then President of Lola Cars International Inc in America and as Director of Marketing and World Wide Sales in the U.K. He joined Bettenhausen Motorsports, the forerunner to the present team, in late-2000, as Managing Director and part owner and has masterminded HVM’s growth into its present position as a leading team.
HVM enters 2011 as its tenth year of competition and has earned six victories, two pole positions, and an additional 16 podiums
