Jack Money is a mechanical engineer (BSME, Michigan Technological University, 1995) with more than 12 years of professional automotive engineering experience. He has worked on IRL engine development, NASCAR valvetrain design, vehicle frame optimization (using several finite element analysis software packages), and of course, race car development.
Applying gained engineering experience to racing applications Jack has successfully run an E30 M3 in J stock, an E36 M3 in C modified, and is now currently running an E30 M3 in D modified (BMW CCA CR) and GTS (NASA). Additional racing includes SCCA endurance racing - The Longest Day, 24hrs at Nelson Ledges, OH.
Jack has been married to Shannon for 12 years. They are the proud parents of Isabel, Evelyn, and Daniel, all aspiring race car drivers.
Simon Hunter
Age: 35
Residence: Indianapolis, IN
Hometown: Orpington, England
Simon started doing BMWCCA driving schools in 1998 in his E30 318is. He quickly progressed to become an
instructor in 2000 and started BMW club racing at the end of 2001 in an E30 M3 competing in J Stock.
Currently he is racing with NASA in an Elephant Motorsports built Spec E30.
2003 : Central Region Champ (J-Stock)
2004: Central Region Champ (J-Stock), Finished 3rd in the Nation
2005: National Champion (J-Stock) & Central Region Champ
2006: Central Region Champ (J-Stock)
2007: OH/IN Spec E30 Champ & 4th at National
John Van Houten
Age: 33
Residence: Chicago, IL
Hometown: Portland, OR
John purchased his first BMW, an E30 325is, in November of 1997 and started participating in BMWCCA driving schools in 1998, starting his addiction. After doing as many schools as possible in the Southeast US while living in Charlotte, NC, he returned to Chicago in 2000 and began instructing, having moved up to a E36 M3. John began racing in 2003 in the K Prepared class in another E30 325is. He had a very successful rookie season, winning the KP Regional Championship and placing second in the National Championship. John took the 2004 season off due to the birth of his first child, but looks forward to competing in a limited schedule in 2005, once again in KP, while preparing an E36 for a run at the D Modified National Championship in 2006.
John's racing is funded by his day job as IT Director at a Chicago proprietary trading firm. He is married to Jane, a consultant, and is the proud father of Eleanor and Jack. When not racing, John likes to travel and enjoys snow skiing and playing soccer.
Carlos Lopez, AKA 'Los'
Age: 38
Residence: Ypsilanti, MI
Hometown: Managua, Nicaragua
Carlos is the master of all trades: Crew chief, jack man, tire changer, timing and scoring, spotter, body, electrical, etc. He is an integral part of the Elephant Motorsports team as support but 'Los is currently comtemplating racing his E36 M3 for 2008 - class/series TBD.
Carlos also has experience as a Technical Steward for BMW CCA Club Racing.
