Augenblick
A good friend and former roommate of mine in New York City taught me the word Augenblick sometime around 2011. She was (is) full blooded German, and a fantastic woman with equally as fantastic parents. They all were really kind to me and made an otherwise tumultuous time in my life much calmer by being in it.
As she explained it, it loosely meant "In the blink of an eye", as in a brief moment in time. Also that it was one of her favorite words in German.
It's now mid February, and last I had checked in it was October and we had just finished up the SCCA Runoffs at VIR with DDR racing. A great group of Pittsburgh guys had a fantastic showing and I think maybe we're all mostly still riding the high from that to some degree.
I've taken these few months to hone in on what I'm doing and focus as much as possible. I am quite proud of the work that's been done to date and I'm excited to share it with all of you.
Tempest
As with most things, winning the fight with my own mind has been priority one. I have found that once I settle things with myself internally I can really get things done expeditiously and effectively. I've often jokingly described this as "There are two wolves in me!". The truth is, it feels like there are 100 wolves in me, and finding out which is going to be the alpha for the day is the real challenge. I've accepted at 32 years old that this is just the way I operate. I'm excitable, I like to jump right into things, and I will move heaven and earth to see something through (for better or worse).
I've spent this time putting a major focus on my physical fitness. I can say that as I sit here now I may well be in the best shape I have ever been in in my life. I'm not quite at the goal markers I have set for myself but I am dangerously close. I am 15lbs leaner since October, my overall fitness is much much higher and I feel as though the routine of going to the gym along with strict dieting has built up the character foundation I'll need to see me through what will be a fairly long and always challenging road racing season. This has been a really grueling process if I'm being honest.
I'm proud of how I look now, though. Which is something I haven't been able to say for a long time. I know also that I'll only continue to improve there also.
Along with that, my promise to everyone that helps me with this racing team that I would come into this year absolutely the best I could be will be fulfilled. That was important to me. I'm faster, more focused, and a little harder to kill.
The balancing act of getting this wrecked Cayman to something presentable by March 4th for our livery unveiling (Fermata Brewing Co @6pm...be there!) has also been tough. Between the gym, my day job, working on the car and balancing my home life along with planning a wedding in June has been typical par for the course over the top for me.
The car though, the car is awesome.
From The Brink
The Cayman is now currently in one piece, and this is the last anyone will see of that car until the new livery is shown on March 4th. The car will still need some work completed before the first race at Summit Point in late April but as a whole I'm really pleased with where this is at.
As always, it is a team effort. The help from our guys really made the difference on this one. I want to give a thank you to everyone who put hands on this car or helped in the garage the last few months. You know who you are.
You also may note, the trailer in which the car is situated is also new (to me). I agonized over what I was going to do with this situation in the off season but I'm pleased to say that I got a great deal on a used Trailex and it really kicks ass. I'm happy about that decision.
When we got this car from Kim, it was very nearly going to go to a scrap yard. I think its fantastic to be able to put this car back on a race track where it belongs, and even better than before.
In typical fashion, as soon as I decided to finally load the car up to take to wrap the ignition lock module failed and immobilized the car. Luckily a quick enough fix, but maybe we're still working some old ghosts out of our team. Hopefully that was the last of them at least for awhile.
I myself have not even seen the car wrapped at the time of writing this. I'm really excited to get it back this Wednesday. I think it'll really drive home what we're all doing here seeing the car nearly done.
As always, it is a team effort. The help from our guys really made the difference on this one. I want to give a thank you to everyone who put hands on this car or helped in the garage the last few months. You know who you are.
You also may note, the trailer in which the car is situated is also new (to me). I agonized over what I was going to do with this situation in the off season but I'm pleased to say that I got a great deal on a used Trailex and it really kicks ass. I'm happy about that decision.
When we got this car from Kim, it was very nearly going to go to a scrap yard. I think its fantastic to be able to put this car back on a race track where it belongs, and even better than before.
In typical fashion, as soon as I decided to finally load the car up to take to wrap the ignition lock module failed and immobilized the car. Luckily a quick enough fix, but maybe we're still working some old ghosts out of our team. Hopefully that was the last of them at least for awhile.
Fuck this particular mechanism.
I myself have not even seen the car wrapped at the time of writing this. I'm really excited to get it back this Wednesday. I think it'll really drive home what we're all doing here seeing the car nearly done.
Smell The Roses
Some things never change...
Early this month the Steel Cities Banquet kicked off, it was really great to see all of our friends even briefly in the winter months. It can be such a drag in the off season not being as social so I really like to try to attend these events.
I was fortunate to take home the "Pro Driver of the Year" award which really meant a lot to me. It felt vindicating on a lot of levels. Awards are always a grain of salt thing for me because I think resting on your laurels can be a direct enemy to progress...It is important to take time to celebrate the work you've done on occasion though.
This does bring me to a point I'd like to put to rest.
I catch a lot of shit for the "pro driver" moniker. Everyone I've met has their own niche definition of what that title means, and I think that's fair too. Here is my two cents in writing so I don't have to explain it ever again.
Racing is a full time job for me.
I spend my days brokering sponsor deals, design work, intense physical training, reading, learning every aspect of the sport, working on the cars, building relationships and unfortunately sacrificing relationships at times. I also balance owning and working at my day job on top of it all which is another huge passion of mine.
Racing is the first thing I think of when I wake up, and the last thing I think of when I go to bed. My goal isn't to be a great driver, its to be one of the best drivers in the world. I am putting that level of work in, and I have for 5 years now. In the pursuit of that insanely lofty goal the experiences and people along the way are what makes everything I do worth it. I am willing to work harder to really see how far I can go in this life with no holds barred. You can get on that ride, or get off it, because simply I will not be held back on this. Winning, improving, and getting as close to the pinnacle of the sport is what drives me as a person.
I feel as though as much as I have been supported by those close to me, I have equally been doubted by outliers every step of this journey based on how quickly I decided to jump into things. My decision to start racing, my decision to move to Majors, Runoffs, USTCC, the Porsche change decision, Pikes Peak...I have been poked at, doubted and questioned every step of the way.
I will say this to anyone who deals with this in pursuit of big, impossible looking goals; Fuck everybody else.
I think people hate seeing others achieve goals that they themselves were not confident or bold enough to chase themselves. You should absolutely do the thing you have always wanted to with zero compromise. Don't worry about what anyone thinks of you or what they're saying in private. Go put the work in, and let your results speak. I for one will always be a fan of anyone who is willing to push their own limits in that respect. You will always have a friend, and a fan in me. I invite everyone I know in this scene to evaluate how they treat one another, the tone they use, and how you can build your buddies up instead of ripping them down. This is a focus for me as well.
For those of you who have chosen to go for this with me, stand with me, and ride the insanity that I bring to the table. I thank you. I literally could not do this without the love and support I so readily receive. I love you, and I am so lucky.
So I will say this to end my point. If you feel the need to denigrate the work that I do because USTCC is an entry level professional series and I'm not in IMSA, or that I'm taking myself too seriously.
You can absolutely fuck off.
Racing is the first thing I think of when I wake up, and the last thing I think of when I go to bed. My goal isn't to be a great driver, its to be one of the best drivers in the world. I am putting that level of work in, and I have for 5 years now. In the pursuit of that insanely lofty goal the experiences and people along the way are what makes everything I do worth it. I am willing to work harder to really see how far I can go in this life with no holds barred. You can get on that ride, or get off it, because simply I will not be held back on this. Winning, improving, and getting as close to the pinnacle of the sport is what drives me as a person.
I feel as though as much as I have been supported by those close to me, I have equally been doubted by outliers every step of this journey based on how quickly I decided to jump into things. My decision to start racing, my decision to move to Majors, Runoffs, USTCC, the Porsche change decision, Pikes Peak...I have been poked at, doubted and questioned every step of the way.
I will say this to anyone who deals with this in pursuit of big, impossible looking goals; Fuck everybody else.
I think people hate seeing others achieve goals that they themselves were not confident or bold enough to chase themselves. You should absolutely do the thing you have always wanted to with zero compromise. Don't worry about what anyone thinks of you or what they're saying in private. Go put the work in, and let your results speak. I for one will always be a fan of anyone who is willing to push their own limits in that respect. You will always have a friend, and a fan in me. I invite everyone I know in this scene to evaluate how they treat one another, the tone they use, and how you can build your buddies up instead of ripping them down. This is a focus for me as well.
For those of you who have chosen to go for this with me, stand with me, and ride the insanity that I bring to the table. I thank you. I literally could not do this without the love and support I so readily receive. I love you, and I am so lucky.
So I will say this to end my point. If you feel the need to denigrate the work that I do because USTCC is an entry level professional series and I'm not in IMSA, or that I'm taking myself too seriously.
You can absolutely fuck off.
On a Lighter Note, Party Hard!
I sincerely hope everyone can get together one more time at Fermata this March to have a good time and kick the season off the right way. Nothing would make me happier than to see everyone together one more time before we all get thrown into this year properly.
I'm so proud of so many of my friends setting sail on new racing journeys this year also, so many people are gaining new ground and I could not be more excited. This shindig isn't just about me, our team, our car...I want it to be about all of us as much as possible.
We even have a collaborative beer that will be released that day to help you forget about last year and get hyped for this one.
Everyone has been really eager to get to this one and that makes my heart happy. Truly, the most important thing I have in this life are the people around me.
On that note, I'm off to scramble to get this car finished up this week!
I sincerely hope everyone can get together one more time at Fermata this March to have a good time and kick the season off the right way. Nothing would make me happier than to see everyone together one more time before we all get thrown into this year properly.
I'm so proud of so many of my friends setting sail on new racing journeys this year also, so many people are gaining new ground and I could not be more excited. This shindig isn't just about me, our team, our car...I want it to be about all of us as much as possible.
We even have a collaborative beer that will be released that day to help you forget about last year and get hyped for this one.
Everyone has been really eager to get to this one and that makes my heart happy. Truly, the most important thing I have in this life are the people around me.
On that note, I'm off to scramble to get this car finished up this week!
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