Teams

Timmy the Turtle

Garage Headquarters: Materials Science Department, Johns Hopkins University

Driver: Greg Fritz

Mechanics: Janice Lin, Travis DeJournett, Matt Simone

Nuts and Bolts:

How many times have you heard it? “Slow and steady wins the race.” It’s a mantra that Travis DeJournett, Greg Fritz, Janice Lin, and Matt Simone seem to be banking on, both in life (they’ve all chosen the extended-education path as graduate students in Johns Hopkins’ Materials Science Department) and in recreation (they’ve chosen a turtle as the theme for their soapbox racer!).

“Yes, we’re all graduate students looking for an excuse not to slave away in the lab,” says DeJournett, whose basement is the construction site for Timmy the Turtle. The 25-year-old admits, “I’m a little bit obsessed with these kinds of competitions.” In 2003, DeJournett flew a hand-built, human-powered aircraft over San Francisco Bay as a contender in Red Bull Flugtag; but his splash landing, while spectacular, didn’t win top honors. Now he says he won’t rest until he’s been crowned victor of a Red Bull contest, and his soapbox teammates seem willing to come along for the ride. Inspired by “Yertle the Turtle,” the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and “homeless turtles everywhere,” they’re building a racer frame that will eventually be covered by turtle shell and head fashioned from papier mâché or perhaps even fiberglass. With a wink, DeJournett hints, “Expect plenty of Turtle-tainment.”