Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project

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“I’m proud to be American, and American’s should be using American made equipment no matter what they do,” said Geoff Bodine, founder of the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project.

It was this ideology that brought the U.S. Bobsled team the current sleds that they are using very successfully in competitions today.

In 1992, former NASCAR great Geoff Bodine caught wind that the U.S. bobsled team, which were doing poorly at the the time, was using antiquated sleds purchased from European countries.

Bodine, partnered with Chassis Dynamics and Whelen Engineering began the development process for the American team and the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project.

“After hundreds of thousands of dollars in research and development we now have the Bo-Dyn Bobsled, which is the best bobsled in the world,” said Phil Kurze, president of the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project.

A two-person sled costs roughly $50,000 to build, while four man sleds cost a bit more because of the size according to Bodine.

“I didn’t get into a cheap sport, that’s for sure, but I’m glad I did,” recalls Bodine.

The project, funded primarily by Bodine’s NASCAR winnings, Chassis Dynamics and Whelen Engineering also relies heavily on donations from business’ and wealthy individuals.

Fundraising events, such as the Bodine Bobsled Challenge held in Lake Placid, N.Y. also assist in the funding for the development of this project.

“We survive on donations from corporations and people in order to do the research and development to build the bobsleds for the U.S. team. This is one of our fundraisers and also designed to promote awareness for the sport of bobsledding here in the United States,” said Kurze on the Bodine Bobsled Challenge.

This event, which pits NASCAR drivers against National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drivers on the bobsled course, has been a large success over the past three years. This year, officials speculate that over 3,000 fans visited the sliding centre over the two day period.

All of these contributions have produced results for the American bobsled teams.

Since beginning to race Bo-Dyn sleds in 1998, US driver Steve Holcomb has enjoyed immense success at the World Cup Level.

In the 2006-2007 season on the World Cup circuit, Holcomb won five events in the two-man class, and five events in the four-man class. This was enough to give Holcomb the overall World Cup titles in both respective divisions.