Carbinite LSR Team

(mouseover for bio’s)

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  Rob Freyvogel

  project manager/chief engineer/driver

  project manager/chief engineer/driver
  
  Rob has been married to Sue for 22 years, and they have 4 wonderful children. Colin, Stacia, Andrew and Jonathan. Rob owns Carbinite Metal Coatings. He has been a car junkie for way too long. He lives in Butler, PA with his family.

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  Brandon Barnhart

  systems engineer/conceptualiser/driver

  systems engineer/conceptualiser/driver
  
  Brandon is married to Colleen and they have 3 sons, Daryn, Jackson and Drake. Brandon is the Director of Transportation Solutions for Express Technologies. Brandon's interests are wide ranging, he is a machinist, pilot, accomplished diver and an expert marksman. His fascination with a good challenge and all things fast led him to join this team.

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  Eric Ahlstrom

  chief aerodynamacist

  chief aerodynamacist
  
  Eric has 30 years of program management, research, design, and financial experience in the aerospace and electronics industries. A designer, builder, and racer in 5 motorsports, Eric is also a mechanical, aerodynamic, and systems engineer. From 2006 to 2008 Eric served as the Program Manager and Chief Engineer of the Fossett LSR with the mission of rebuilding the car to be capable of 1000 mph. During this time, his team discovered and corrected seven fatal flaws in the Fossett LSR vehicle and systems that increased the scope of the program by a factor of 4. In spite of the increased work, the team functioned efficiently on ½ to 1/3rd of the budget of the Breedlove and Noble teams of 1994-1997.

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  Brad Snow

  CFD technician/solidworks consultant

  CFD technician/solidworks consultant
  
  Brad studied engineering design at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned his Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering. For the past 14 years Brad has been developing his skills in simulation-based design, juggling roles in technical support, classroom instruction, contract services, and research. During his PhD candidacy, Brad ran his own analysis consulting business and co-founded Adroit Motion, LLC., a minimally invasive surgical instrument company focusing on robotic hand instruments. Brad rejoined Prism this January to build a professional services division, frequently noting that "Design and Analysis is in our D&A!"

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  George Istenes

  fabricator/designer

  fabricator/designer
  
  George has been in and out of retirement for the past 15 years. He worked for 25 years as a mechanic and fabricator at the Armour Meat Packing plant. He's had a life long obsession with Mopars and motorcycles. He restored a 1937 Plymouth pick-up truck. He rides a Harley Street Glide. Current projects include restoring a 1949 Dodge and a Chrysler. He lives in Butler, PA.

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  Tom Napierkowski

  fabricator

  fabricator
  
  Tom has been building hot rods for many years and has a passion to push the envelope on unparalleled hotrodding ideas. Tom has built a tubbed '38 Chevy truck, powered by a 5.9 Cummins with intercoolers under the hood and the radiator in the bed. 100 psi of instant boost! He's also built a show winning '61 Pontiac bubble-top Ventura , along with numerous other inventive projects. Tom owns a Neon Sign and Lighting company, along with a Media Blasting Service. He is a member of the "Hollywood Knights" in Pittsburgh and part owner of Altered Gas Productions. Tom lives near Mars, PA with his patient wife, and has 5 children.

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  Jim Halladay

  camp cook/utility man/gofer

  Camp cook/utility man/gofer
  
  USAF veteran; crewed F-86 and T-33 aircraft. Worked quality Control for Boeing and Douglas. Structure mechanic on XB-70A, and Apollo spacecraft. Jim is now pretty much retired; helps out as a volunteer at Salt Lake VAMC. Enjoys many types of racing; has helped crew sports cars, rallycars, and motorcycles, including moto-cross, road racers and desert side hacks.

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  Dave Chiotti

  fabricator & crew member

  Fabricator & Crew Member
  
  31 year Veteran Steamfitter Teaches welding, started welding at the ripe age of 7, Works as a weld engineer in the Nuclear Industry. Loves anything with wheels that’s Fast! Has worked as a Fabricator & Crew Member for long time friend Sprint Car Champion Tim Shaffer. Toys a street legal ProStreet Mini Bike 206cc Super Charged B&S Engine. 2004 & 2005 GTOs Super Charged Intercooled and a 1999 Built 75Hp H-D Sportster Lives in Monaca Pa with His Wife Julie the Love of his life.

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  Ted Wolf

  maintenance/cleanup/photography

  maintenance/cleanup/photography
  
  Ted is an ex-Top Fuel racer. He drove the "Jade Grenade" through the mid 70's. He owns and operates an excavating business in North Pittsburgh, PA.