Archives for January 2008

Recently, I’ve received a lot of different emails from folks wanting to know what path I’ve taken to come this far in racing and what I do to push ahead every day.

My answer? EVERYTHING.

Out of neccessity (and lack of financial means), I’ve had the task of learning to wear many different hats.

• Driver.
  Though this is my biggest dream, and my ultimate full time aspiration, I spend the least time wearing this hat (errr… helmet). In fact, when you consider that the whole driving experience lasts only 6 seconds, its probably such a marginal amount of time that some people question why I keep after it. I don’t think its anything that can be put into words unless you’ve felt the adrenaline rush of driving before. Being in that seat, regardless of how short of a time, is such a release. Its empowering, its rewarding, its relaxing, and energizing all at the same time.
• Public Relations/Marketing.
  One of the most important things I’ve done for my career and the team is a strong focus on marketing/PR. My day job is marketing, so I feel this is my area of expertise, and work hard to make sure that I do my best in this area for Horsepower & Heels and for other racers who I help as a side business (gotta keep trying to find $$ to race!). The single biggest thing I’ve done that has helped is building my own brand of Horsepower & Heels and finding new ways to promote it to the media, corporate america, etc. I try to stay on top of all the new social mediums out there, staying connected and involved has helped tremendously. One of the biggest things I can offer potential marketing partners, is the network I’ve built of people who check out Horsepower & Heels on a regular basis. The other reason its so important is to stay updated and available for potential opportunites. I may have never had the chance to interview with Don Schumacher or be considered for a Top Fuel ride if I wasn’t proactive with being available for these type opportunities.
• Mechanic.
  Racing has to be one of the most expensive hobbies there is. Racecars are not cheap. Parts are not cheap. Labor definitely is not cheap. So, to offset these cost, I do as much as I can possibly do myself before seeking out others. I am very lucky in that I’ve had some great teachers that have taught me much about the mechanics involved in the car I choose to race. I also have some great people who donate their time to help out however they can. But the general maintenance, and as much of the brute labor as I can muster, I do myself.
• Manager.
  So much goes into staying organized and keeping on track. From setting the schedules for races and promotional events, to keeping up on maintenance tasks, to deciding what to do next. Managing all the different hats at once could be a full time job to most.
• Event Planner.
  Racing is event after event of cosmic proportions. Working a full time job, and scheduling time off, reserving room accomodations, packing up a trailer full of necessities for a weekend, and coordinating crew and meet and greets in the area is quite a tedious task. Coordinating small details at the races is very important to see everything run smoothly.
• Salesperson.
  I’m definitely not one of those door-to-door types, but there are many sales aspects to running the team. Anything from the coordination and selling of apparel, to the pitch of sponsorship proposals.
• Designer.
  Unfortunately, I wish I was better at this item. I think of myself as a pretty creative individual, but my weakness is putting ideas in my head into action. But, with graphic design such an expensive art, I have to make due with what I can muster on my own. Everything from the website, to apparel ideas… the vision may or may not come out as I originally anticipated, but I make due with what I can muster!
• Truck Driver.
  Its not a very glamorous part of the job, but the fact is, the car must be transported, and there is no one else to do it! So, I haul around the car with a dually in an big enclosed trailer. Last year out, it was a 53′ Gooseneck…. I caused many a stare at the truckstops when truckers saw me hop out of the driver’s seat, usually hauling it across the country by myself.
• Purchasing/Merchandiser.
  Anything from deciding what brand/source to purchase supplies to arranging production on the e-store merchandise, I am left with the duties of purchasing agent.
• Cook.
  Another necessity that I’m not always that great at doing. In fact, there are a few “incidents” of me almost catching the trailer on fire trying to fire up a charcoal grill with lighter fluid (I had no clue they were Matchlight coals!). But, I usually pack up and plan out some good, track-friendly meals and snacks to keep the eating out expense to a minimum.
• Gopher.
  Run here, run there. A gopher’s job is never done. Getting tickets, passing through tech, or any other “runner” tasks are done by yours truly.
• Historian.
  Keeping track of my own stats sometimes doesn’t feel right… but this information would be clouds of dust if I didn’t record it myself. How else would anyone know about the accomplishments I’ve made in my modest career? It also means keeping up with the racing industry in general to know what is happening all across the sport.
• Web Master.
  I taught myself to build a website back in 2001, and I’ve been learning ever since. It may not be the most glamourous or the most technically correct, but it serves its function and its filled with information and features. https://horsepowerandheels.com/ has been a tremendous asset all across the boards.
• Photographer/Videographer.
  It can be difficult to capture all the action in front of the lens when I’m usually the one behind it, but I try and capture as much of the action as possible. When I’m in the car, I try and hand off my camera equipment to someone to capture… with mixed results. I also process all the photographs after the race, edit/resize, and upload them for viewing.
• Agent.
  Most people have some sort of agent that acts between them and press/business/other things. That old line “have your agent call my agent?” Yep, that line comes directly to me.
• Spokesperson.
  I have the responsibility of being the active “face” for Horsepower & Heels. When you’re also handling all of the other actions, you learn to really think things through before speaking. Its difficult to balance, because people can confuse some of the other hats you wear as what your are trying to portray as the “image” of Horsepower & Heels.
• Financier.
  This by far is the most difficult and limiting action for Horsepower & Heels. Unfortunately, I don’t have much in the way of funding, and have to come up with a majority of the expenses myself. I work a full time job, run a side business, and try my best to find additional sources of income just to continue racing. I’m stretched about as thin as I can be financially, and I know that I’m at the limits of my financial abilities.
• Accountant.
  And finally…. the last hat that I can think of at the moment is probably the saddest. Its realizing that what you need in terms of budget to complete a year of racing far exceeds what’s in your checking account. That’s a hard reality… and one that has limited my racing in the past year. I’ve been eating lots of peanut butter sandwiches though, and hope to be back out strong this year!