Season opener for Wreck driver, too

The new driver of the Ramblin’ Wreck is already a minor celebrity. Georgia Tech fifth-year student Raj Desai, an aerospace engineering and economics double major, can be seen behind the wheel of the Wreck, along with Tech cheerleaders, in an ESPN commercial promoting the first year of the College Football Playoff.

Desai was voted the Wreck’s driver for the year last fall by members of the Ramblin’ Reck Club, the student spirit group. Desai, who is Indian-American, is believed to be the first minority driver in the 54 years that the 1930 Ford Model A Sport Coupe has represented the school. He will lead the team out onto Grant Field for the first time Saturday in the season opener against Wofford.

“To me, a good driver is somebody that can represent the school well and be an ambassador for the campus,” Desai said. “I’m excited to drive onto the field, but to me, I just want to represent the Institute as best I possibly can.”