Teams

ConocoPhillips Racing Team

Garage Headquarters: Thornton, CO

Driver: Heather Smith

Mechanics: Cindy Contreras, Tedd Hupp, Correen Schaffer, Leslie Zimpel

Nuts and Bolts:

The people who work in the Rockies Retail Division of ConocoPhillips know a lot about fueling cars – but building one? That’s a different story. Nonetheless, company employees Cindy Contreras, Tedd Hupp, Correen Schaffer, Heather Smith, and Leslie Zimpel, plus a number of their supportive colleagues, are going to give it a shot as they construct a soapbox racer for the Red Rocks event on October 25. “To us, the Red Bull Soapbox Race is a fun and exciting adventure that promotes team building,” states Leslie, the team’s captain. “We’ve never done anything like this before, and we’re not handy people; but this is a division-wide project, and we aim to win.” To that end, the team members are dedicating almost all of their weekends to messing with gears and wheels and papier mâché – anything and everything that might make their racer fast, as well as visually entertaining.

Automotive design skills (or lack thereof) notwithstanding, the teammates have chosen a sure-fire theme for their entry: the Olympics. Leslie explains, “We think the Olympic theme in itself will command respect and will be a great motivator of the crowd.” Heather, who will pilot the racer, adds, “We at ConocoPhillips are looking forward to this national event, where we expect to take top honors.”