As an outsider who hasn't had his first chance to race, YET, here's a work contest I entered. Basically the contest was giving away $9K and 9 days of PTO for 10 employees. We each had to write an essay which exemplified how our dream aligns with the core values of the Company(core values in Bold) and a detailed budget of how the $9K will be spent. I've replaced the name of my company with "COMPANY" and some items were exaggerated for effect. Sorry Pete, they only chose more philanthropic ideas, my BL rental will have to wait a couple years. Essay follows:
When I first learned about the 90-90-9 program I knew immediately what I wanted to submit. For the past 15 years I have been obsessed with off-road racing trucks tearing across U.S. and Mexican soil. The small group of obsessed fans, drivers and teams have been affectionally named “La Familia,” (“the family” in English). I’ve listed COMPANY’s core values and a story or description of why off-road racing is the perfect analogy to COMPANY’s core values we embrace every day.
Due primarily to a lack of funding I’ve never been able to participate in an event. Most participants own their race vehicles. But for the casual sportsman with a large wallet there are rental programs available. During a race everyone wants to win, but only a few of the top teams have the resources to compete for the top spot on the podium. For the rest of us the passion for the sport is due to the adventure and racing community. It’s the reason I’ve followed countless races, via an online tracker (which is nothing more than the racers represented by dots on a course map updating every 2-5 minutes), hoping my favorite drivers will be the first dot to the finish line.
Excellence-Every truck “needs” a sponsor and a driver is always representing their sponsor’s brand. When out on the racetrack, signing autographs for fans, or enjoying drinks at one of the many parties held for the races a driver is always expected to perform in a professional manner. Similarly, COMPANY expects the same from its employees. For this race I’ll be printing vinyl decals with 2ft by 3ft COMPANY logos on them. But what good would the decals be if nobody gets the opportunity to see them? As such I’ll also be purchasing a photo package which includes a photographer in a helicopter.
Stewardship- Some families have seen 3 or more generations of racers. One of the most rewarding things I get to do at COMPANY is teach colleagues and clients many of the things I’ve learned at COMPANY over the past 6 years. Whether it’s an associate at their first week long training or a CFO struggling through the complexities of ASC 805, it brings me pleasure and pride to teach others. As a second generation CPA, it’s hard not to compare the similarities to many things my father taught me. Some of the best racers ever began winning races as teenagers thanks to the knowledge they gained as children from old-time drivers.
Respect-Faster trucks are given the right-of-way. During races trucks are often not able to pass due to many parts of the racecourse being too narrow. As such, when you catch another truck they should move over to allow the faster truck to pass. Almost always the slower truck will respect that the truck behind them is faster and will yield to the side of the course to allow the faster truck to pass. It’s common for racers who were fierce competitors just hours before to share tall tales and laughs about the adventure they just had.
Integrity-There’s an unwritten rulebook in off-road racing to always do the right thing. Whether it’s having your pit crew tow a competitor out of a ditch or something more serious, La Familia is always there to help. Inevitably people get hurt when you combine dust, motorcycles and 5 ton trucks simultaneously racing on the same course. Even if you’re racing for the win, if you see someone pulled over you stop and ask if they’re ok. Almost always they are just fine. But occasionally racers will be the first ones to the scene of an accident. Over the 6 decades of off-road racing there have numerous stories of drivers giving up all hope of a win to transport an injured competitor to a road with a waiting ambulance or a cleared field where a helicopter can land. Time and time again off-road racing has shown its unwavering integrity.
Teamwork-A racecar is more than just a driver. Some teams have 2 dozen people to help support a single truck. A trusted co-driver is just as important as the driver. A co-driver is attentive to the course-notes to warn the driver of hazards such as sudden sharp turns and cliffs. A co-driver should be handy with tools and is often an engineer or mechanic. When a truck breaks down in the desert it is up to the driver and co-driver to make repairs. And probably most importantly a co-driver is there to help relax the driver; to calm them down when things don’t go according to plan.
It takes total concentration on the driver’s part to prevent a wreck, any distractions can lead to disaster. That’s why I’ll have my younger brother and only sibling sitting in the right seat. We we’re very close growing up, but over the past 7 years he’s been busy with school and the military and unfortunately I have not been able to see him much. As an engineer and pilot in the US Air Force I know he has the skillset which will be perfect for the co-driver role. It would also be a great way to spend time together prior to him deploying to the Middle East.
Competing in a 400 mile race through the desert with COMPANY on my hood and doors would fulfill my dreams and be the thrill of a lifetime.
Budget:
$6,000 Truck rental including safety gear, fuel and pit crew.
$250 Photo package including shots from a helicopter
$300 Vinyl decals with the COMPANY logo
$50 Food the night before the race
$600 Airfare for me and my brother
$450 2 hotel nights
$700 Budget for flat tires and any damage to rental truck.
$650 Postrace party for the race team, friends and colleagues who attend the race.
