Teams

QUADRA-GNOMES

Garage Headquarters: Washington University in St. Louis, MO

Driver: Bob Rowe

Mechanics: Arthur George Baumann III, Matt Jones, Fahr Juneja, Roger Rowe

Nuts and Bolts:

"The Quadra-Gnomes are committed to making Red Bull Soap Box Race a success at any cost – life or limb," proclaims Bob Rowe, the team's driver. Rowe and his fellow seniors Arthur George Baumann III, Matt Jones, Fahr Juneja, and Roger Rowe are representing Washington University in St. Louis, and they fully intend to dominate the competition at Forest Park.

The determined cohort, who hail from Kalispell, Montana; Summit, New Jersey; and Louisville, Kentucky, are sparing no detail in making their entry perfect. Take the name, for instance. The working title for their effort was "Brain Fart," but after hours of close consultation with Juneja – who is studying marketing, entrepreneurship, and international business – they decided to tweak it ever so slightly to "Hanz and the Quadra-Gnomes." And then there are the materials. Following many discussions (punctuated only occasionally by fisticuffs), the Rowes and Baumann – budding mechanical engineers – selected wood, metal, foam, rubber, and bicycle tires for their racer's key structural components. Finally, although he's too modest to take credit, rumor has it that Jones – a visual communications student – is responsible for the entry's artistic touches, which involve paint and (genius) spandex. The final product will be something larger than the individual contributors themselves. "One day we will rule the world," Bob Rowe states, "and this will start with winning the race."