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With the Greatest Spectacle in Racing (The Indianapolis 500) just around the corner, fans of all ages can experience Hot Wheels like never before at the world’s largest children’s museum. Starting May 13, 2017 fans get a firsthand look at the thrilling science, speed, and safety of motorsports with Hot Wheels® cars and tracks, positioned alongside full-sized race cars, artifacts and memorabilia.
The new Hot Wheels™: Race to Win™ exhibit officially opens May 13, 2017 and will run through July 30th before traveling to another city.
Throughout the exhibit fans are offered a number of opportunities to compete, create and experiment with Hot Wheels. First, fans can compete in a timed pit stop challenge where they race to change tires and refuel a race car. Families are able to bring their competitive spirit as they test the science of gravity and aerodynamics by racing Hot Wheels die-cast cars on iconic orange Hot Wheels track. Within the exhibit Chip Ganassi Racing has loaned a real life IndyCar that has been cut in half so visitors can see the inner workings and how an IndyCar is engineered.
Throughout the exhibit, families will be encouraged to participate in activities that demonstrate how racecar designs, development and cutting edge technology result in the fastest, and safest vehicles in the world!
This year, Hot Wheels™: Race to Win™ also takes a closer look at drag racing, with a special focus on female drivers. Since the 1960s, women have successfully gone helmet to helmet against men on drag strips. The exhibit showcases racing gear and equipment used by NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Funny Car dragster, Courtney Force-Rahal and NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racer, Angie McBride Smith.
“It is important for The Children’s Museum to be a venue for children to explore the wonders of science and encourage them to participate in STEM opportunities (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) to prepare for life and careers in the 21st century and beyond,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “That is why The Children’s Museum, through its Heritage Group Center for Family Learning in STEM, consciously embeds STEM into many of its exhibits and events.”
So, how fast can a dragster go? When museum visitors arrive in the museum Welcome Center, they will be greeted by one of the fastest vehicles on the planet. Come see eight-time World Champion driver Tony Schumacher’s U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster. Known as the “World’s Fastest Accelerating Vehicle,” this machine can go from 0 to 100 miles per hour in .8 seconds. Its career best speed is 330.55 MPH. Imagine this: Schumacher’s team rebuilds the 10,000 horsepower engine after every run in less than 45 minutes. Talk about speed!
Hot Wheels™: Race to Win™ is presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers. Supporting sponsors include Church Brothers Collision Repair and OneAmerica. Our science based initiatives are supported by The Heritage Group Center for Family Learning in STEM. Additional support is provided by Eli Lilly and Company Foundation.
About The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Facebook.com/childrensmuseum and YouTube.com/IndyTCM.
About Mattel
Mattel is a creations company that inspires the wonder of childhood. Our mission is to be the recognized leader in play, learning and development worldwide. Mattel’s portfolio of global consumer brands includes American Girl®, Barbie®, Fisher-Price®, Hot Wheels®, Monster High® and Thomas & Friends™, among many others. Mattel also creates a wealth of lines and products made in collaboration with leading entertainment and technology companies. With a global workforce of approximately 32,000 people, Mattel operates in 40 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. Visit us online at www.mattel.com.
