This week we have Rob Piekarczyk, driver of the Red, White and Blue Stars and Stripes B-Spec Honda Fit. Rob’s been around racing a long time and our beginnings in racing have some similar themes. Rob lives in Brunswick, Ohio (between Cleveland and Akron) with his wife Melanie and two boys Robbie (4) and Otto (2).
I first met Rob last spring at the Mid-Ohio Hoosier Super Tour event. Rob qualified on Pole and I qualified in third. Midway through the race, I caught up to him as he was being held up by a slower car in another class. I spun trying an especially optimistic pass attempt into turn one. I had convinced myself that I could go flat through one – physics had other ideas. After the race, even though my spin was in no way his fault, Rob came over to check on me. He apologized several times for being slow in front of me. He was concerned he’d done something to affect my line and cause the spin, Rob’s just that kind of guy. I have huge respect for Rob and the way he handles himself. I let him know that the spin was 100% me and was down to my lack of respect for basic physics. 🙂
Anyhow, now that you know a little about Rob, I’m excited for you all to meet him through this post.
Rob, tell us a little about yourself and what moves you.
Professionally, I’m a Regional Sales Director for a Medical Biologics/Device company called MiMedx… we provide placental tissues in many forms to physicians and hospitals for soft tissue injuries and repair. I never had the mindset growing up to pursue medicine as a profession, however it is an honor to play a part in helping injured and the sick get better. There is a genuine and strong feeling of fulfillment in helping people. Prior to getting into the Medical Device field I was the Director of Corporate sales for the Grand Prix of Cleveland working in one capacity or another for that organization for over 9 years. Education, I like to joke around that I majored in College Soccer, with a minor in Minor in Marketing. I didn’t feel I had enough soccer education so I stuck around and got my MBA as a Graduate Assistant. That said, Tiffin University was a fantastic place to spend 5 years, and I wouldn’t change anything about my path of education. I think what I love the most on a day to day is spending time with my family… the boys keep me grounded and pushing to be the best role model possible and my wife makes it easy to come home every day. I’m very fortunate to have such a full family life and I would not have realized that without the love and support of my mother and father as well… they gave me the foundation to always focus forward on obtaining my goals.
My first memory of motorsports was going to Nelson Ledges with my dad when he was racing in Showroom Stock back in the early 80’s. Most specifically, those early “Longest Day’s” at Nelson are fond memories… especially falling asleep in the truck (hatch) of my parent’s Renault Fuego… I’m fairly sure that was my first shot at giving them both a massive heart attack. That said, I fell in love with the sport watching racing with my dad at any opportunity, but was completely hooked the first time I saw the Lowenbrau Porsche 962 at Mid-Ohio… still my favorite race car of all time.
As I mentioned, I played soccer through college, so I got a later start (by F1 standards, ha!) in motorsports. I attending my first Autocross at 21, doing nothing more than wanting to show up and watch. I walked around and was shocked at how welcoming everyone was. Understanding I had no clue as to how the event ran, how I could compete, or how to even find a schedule. I remember driving back to school thinking my current (at the time) Escort GT was not only a pretty fun car to drive, but also a perfect way to jump in with both feet without spending a fortune. Sure enough, the following spring, there I was, helmet in hand, magnetic numbers on the side… nervous, scared, excited, tired (couldn’t sleep the night before) and 100% unsure of what I was doing. Thankfully, the entire group welcomed me in with fantastic advice, helping hands and encouragement. My kind of people.
From there, a couple of years later, I wanted to start wheel to wheel… on a grad student budget… ha! Dream big they said! My dad and I met some folks at the Cleveland Auto Show from the local karting club… more of my kind of people. So, a few months later I was in the same Escort GT, with my little Tractor Supply Trailer behind towing a kart that I was convinced was capable of winning Indianapolis. That season, on a grad school budget, I had won a couple of races, broke a few parts and realized that 1.) I had to get a real job and 2.) racing was my passion. A real job meant more racing… and an inexpensive 1998 Dodge Neon racecar that I drove to the track… Showroom Stock C, just like my dad 20 some years before.
I still remember pulling out on to Mid-Ohio and thinking HOLY S%& this place is huge and why are they going so darn fast!!?? At my first Driver’s school I met one of my best friends for the first time, who was also my instructor, Mike Olivier. His advice on racing, life, work and family still help me every day. There are so many good people in the sport, the hardest part is taking the first step and saying hello at the track… once you do, the rest is natural.
I’ve not really had a mentor per se. Folks like Mike Olivier, Matt Miller and David Pintaric have been great friends and sounding boards. They have always been willing to answer questions or listen to my thoughts… however being stubborn and wanting everything to be my own idea I always looked to digest advice and apply to what I was thinking. That said, they are some of my closest friends, that I consider family, who I met through racing. Competitors like Joel Lipperini and more recently David Daugherty have been very insightful in how our B-spec cars are finicky and what they like and don’t like… for that insight I’m very appreciative. Most over, I think my dad has had the greatest impact on my track activities. We certainly don’t see eye to eye all the time, we do argue from time to time… but at the right moment his sound advice has always resonated and pointed me in the right direction. My appreciation for the sport, it’s history, my competitors and spirit of fair competition goes directly to him.
I like to think that through all the help I’ve been given along the way, that I’ve given back to those at the track getting started as much as I can. At one point, I was the new guy or the little kid with dirty hands playing with my toy cars at the track… I think it’s really important to remember that. For the vast majority of us “racers”, this is just a hobby that we have gotten a tremendous amount of joy from… we have the responsibility to welcome new racing family members into the sport and for the most part, I think in any club racing paddock each racer will echo that sentiment. Just stop and chat… when it comes to racing, most of us won’t shut up!
I’ve been given a lot of advice from many incredible people. Some I put into action right away, and others I’ve learned looking back was correct. It’s hard to put my finger on any one thing that stands out. One thing that does stick in my brain is to remember that everyone has an opinion at the track, some are right some aren’t, but to digest that information and trust your gut. That and my 4-year old who reminds me to “press my fastest pedal”. My advice to someone looking in from the outside… go to the track, no need to be intimidated… just about everyone there will welcome you in. Also, I need to say thank you to James Hinchcliffe, though I’m fairly certain he likely won’t read this… his kind words and actions are first class. James is true professional and top-notch human being.
My best memory at the race track? I have 3. The first was fulfilling a promise my dad and I made to each other when I was growing up, to race a Longest Day at Nelson Ledges together… we accomplished that and won our class.
A special thanks to David Pintaric, Reed Kryder and Mike Olivier for making that dream possible.
The second was after the 2016 Runoffs at Mid-Ohio, having made it to “impound” at the Runoffs for the first time, was having my entire family, including my wife and boys, in-laws and parents come down to celebrate.
The third, and most recent, was walking into Gasoline Alley race morning for the Runoffs at Indianapolis with my dad, helmet in hand. I know how special that moment was to me… and he gave me the appreciation/respect for the Speedway’s History. Neither of us will likely have the opportunity to race in the 500, but for one day, so many of us competitors got to walk the same steps that legends and our heroes had. Thank you SCCA for making that dream come true for the 10-year old in all of us.
So, what’s next for me? California is a long way to go for the Runoffs so the 2018 season will be more local events. I look forward to camping at Mid-Ohio and NelsonLedges with my family, much as my dad and I did when I was a little kid. I also look forward to spending more time with some of the nicest, friendliest, humble and equally fierce competitors.
I have the special opportunity to work with the students at Ohio Technical College who use the car as a teaching aid… those have been some of the most special relationships and to see the students grow into motorsports professionals has been likely the most gratifying experience for me.
I am biased, but I think the entire B-Spec community is among some of the truest competitors you will find. We are the first to congratulate on a great race, the first to lend a hand and the first to give a friendly joke when it’s needed. Just prior to the Indy Runoffs I experienced the family nature of the group… to each I can’t say thank you enough. We are a family of racers who enjoy racing goofy little cars… come find us in the paddock, each one of us are happy to chat!
As my hero growing up Greg Moore would say… See you at the front!
Rob
Rob’s a renaissance man, check out this picture of his helmet that he painted himself as a special Indy tribute. So cool! Rob’ll be in the distinctive Red, White and Blue Honda Fit this year at events around the midwest – come cheer him on and stop by to introduce yourself to a truly excellent ambassador for our sport.
Check out his sponsor here: http://redevodka.com
Check out Rob talking more about B-spec here: https://www.scca.com/videos/2034460
Thanks Rob! – Fritz
