Siemens provides electrical equipment for Kansas Speedway

Feb. 1, 2001
The NASCAR Winston Cup Series will make its 21st century debut Feb. 18 in Daytona, Fla. Almost seven long months later, on Sept. 30, the popular racing circuit will finally burn rubber at the new 150,000-seat Kansas Speedway. The Kansas Speedway is the newest track on the Winston Cup circuit, giving the race-starved Midwest a chance to feast on America's fastest-growing sport without having to change

The NASCAR Winston Cup Series will make its 21st century debut Feb. 18 in Daytona, Fla. Almost seven long months later, on Sept. 30, the popular racing circuit will finally burn rubber at the new 150,000-seat Kansas Speedway.

The Kansas Speedway is the newest track on the Winston Cup circuit, giving the race-starved Midwest a chance to feast on America's fastest-growing sport without having to change time zones or drive south to Texas.

This year, Siemens' fourth as a major associate sponsor, the Amoco Siemens car will join six others as the Dodge brand returns to Winston Cup racing after several years' absence. Being part of the NASCAR family opened doors to business opportunities for Siemens, especially as new tracks were being built.

As construction progressed on the Kansas Speedway, NASCAR looked to Siemens and saw someone who could supply electrical infrastructure, security systems, medical equipment, lighting, communications and other solutions, said Dan Redler, manager, motor sports marketing for Siemens Energy & Automation, the major associate sponsor of the No. 93 Dave Blaney car. They asked, How much can you do?

Working with general contractor Turner Construction and local contractors Mark One Electric, Capital Electric, Shaw Electric and O'Neil Electric, Siemens supplied most of the electrical gear and the fire alarm system.

Attention contractors: Do you have an idea for Project Watch? E-mail Amy Fischbach at [email protected].

CUPERTINO GOES PUBLIC

Cupertino Electric Inc., which designs and builds electrical infrastructure for high technology facilities, filed to raise $100 million in an initial public offering of common stock on Dec. 22.

Founded in 1954, the company installs electrical power and data infrastructure systems and is a developer of communications systems integration and data cabling services.

The San Jose, Calif.-based company plans to use the net proceeds to reduce debt and repay subordinated notes, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes, it said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

LARGEST WIND FARM COMING TO NORTHWEST

A new wind farm, said to be the largest in the world, will generate enough electricity for 70,000 homes in 13 Western states.

A total of 450, 250-foot windmills are being built along the Oregon-Washington border. The project will begin in February and could be completed by Dec. 31.

FPL Energy, a sister company to Florida Power and Light, will build, own and operate the wind farm. Pacifi-Corp, an Oregon utility, will buy the wind power, combine it with hydroelectric energy and distribute it across the West.

SHOW-PRODUCT SNEAK PREVIEW

The Electric West 2001 Show, a launching pad for premiering new electrical products, will be Feb. 27 to March 1 in Anaheim, Calif.

One product scheduled to be featured at the show is Cablofil's wire cable tray, designed to make installation easy for all type of electrical installations. More than 50,000 miles of Cablofil's cable tray has been installed throughout the world. The company's latest product includes a sturdy 6-inch-deep tray available in 20-inch and 24-inch widths for under-floor or heavy-duty applications.

RACE CAR DRIVER TO DELIVER KEYNOTE AT ELECTRIC WEST

Pat Rummerfield, the award-winning amateur athlete/race car driver, will deliver the keynote address at the Electric West 2001 show in Anaheim, Calif. Rummerfield, who also holds the world land-speed record in an electric car (photo), will also be available to sign autographs in the Graybar booth (600).

In the keynote, free to attendees, he'll describe his 20-year road back from paralysis caused by a car accident, to graduating medical school and competing in the Ironman triathlon. His inspiring story will offer advice on overcoming stress to succeed.

About the Author

Amy Florence

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