I wanted to bring you along and take your racing with me tonight for a few
your racing with me tonight for a few
your racing with me tonight for a few minutes I pursued my passion and the two
minutes I pursued my passion and the two
minutes I pursued my passion and the two things that I loved early on were this
things that I loved early on were this
things that I loved early on were this and this but not exactly at the same
and this but not exactly at the same
and this but not exactly at the same time not at the same time not in the
time not at the same time not in the
time not at the same time not in the same order
same order
same order and I decided to start two of the
and I decided to start two of the
and I decided to start two of the craziest wildest passion driven
craziest wildest passion driven
craziest wildest passion driven businesses and the joke is how do you
businesses and the joke is how do you
businesses and the joke is how do you make a small fortune in racing you start
make a small fortune in racing you start
make a small fortune in racing you start with a big one same thing with the
with a big one same thing with the
with a big one same thing with the winery I don’t know why we chose both of
winery I don’t know why we chose both of
winery I don’t know why we chose both of these businesses to get going on but
these businesses to get going on but
these businesses to get going on but that was how we started I had an early
that was how we started I had an early
that was how we started I had an early chance to sort of push the reset button
chance to sort of push the reset button
chance to sort of push the reset button 27 years ago and decided to jump into
27 years ago and decided to jump into
27 years ago and decided to jump into these two businesses and very much enjoy
these two businesses and very much enjoy
these two businesses and very much enjoy what I do
what I do
what I do and very much enjoyed what we’ve done
and very much enjoyed what we’ve done
and very much enjoyed what we’ve done along the way and some of the obstacles
along the way and some of the obstacles
along the way and some of the obstacles as well and some of the things that we
as well and some of the things that we
as well and some of the things that we learned which is what I’m talking about
learned which is what I’m talking about
learned which is what I’m talking about tonight we learned a lot of lessons but
tonight we learned a lot of lessons but
tonight we learned a lot of lessons but one of the biggest life lessons for me
one of the biggest life lessons for me
one of the biggest life lessons for me was what I call the endurance racing
was what I call the endurance racing
was what I call the endurance racing mentality and it goes along with never
mentality and it goes along with never
mentality and it goes along with never quit so many times you’re challenged in
quit so many times you’re challenged in
quit so many times you’re challenged in so many ways and you’re saying do I
so many ways and you’re saying do I
so many ways and you’re saying do I really want to do this do I really want
really want to do this do I really want
really want to do this do I really want to follow my passion is it really worth
to follow my passion is it really worth
to follow my passion is it really worth it and sometimes you’ll have to take a
it and sometimes you’ll have to take a
it and sometimes you’ll have to take a real good look but for me it always was
real good look but for me it always was
real good look but for me it always was a little nervous but don’t stop never
a little nervous but don’t stop never
a little nervous but don’t stop never quit but early on we started looking and
quit but early on we started looking and
quit but early on we started looking and studying how some of these really big
studying how some of these really big
studying how some of these really big motorsports events were won and it was
motorsports events were won and it was
motorsports events were won and it was my dream to be not only a participant in
my dream to be not only a participant in
my dream to be not only a participant in the races but to potentially ever have a
the races but to potentially ever have a
the races but to potentially ever have a chance to win and we did and I call it
chance to win and we did and I call it
chance to win and we did and I call it the endurance racing mentality and I
the endurance racing mentality and I
the endurance racing mentality and I think in in all things and especially in
think in in all things and especially in
think in in all things and especially in our world in racing people look for that
our world in racing people look for that
our world in racing people look for that they look at the stars they look at the
they look at the stars they look at the
they look at the stars they look at the highs they look at can we go any faster
highs they look at can we go any faster
highs they look at can we go any faster what’s our top speed and who are your
what’s our top speed and who are your
what’s our top speed and who are your name brand drivers and all the things
name brand drivers and all the things
name brand drivers and all the things that would tempt you into the dark side
that would tempt you into the dark side
that would tempt you into the dark side and I say you know that’s that’s not
and I say you know that’s that’s not
and I say you know that’s that’s not what we should be focusing on and not in
what we should be focusing on and not in
what we should be focusing on and not in the racing world not to win the 24 hour
the racing world not to win the 24 hour
the racing world not to win the 24 hour aces and even not in life it’s what can
aces and even not in life it’s what can
aces and even not in life it’s what can take you down we go to those races and
take you down we go to those races and
take you down we go to those races and we study and we look statistically and
we study and we look statistically and
we study and we look statistically and how did we how
how did we how
how did we how we lose that race or how did they lose
we lose that race or how did they lose
we lose that race or how did they lose that race or what wasn’t it’s never on
that race or what wasn’t it’s never on
that race or what wasn’t it’s never on the top end it’s always on the bottom
the top end it’s always on the bottom
the top end it’s always on the bottom and fix the fix the risk first
and fix the fix the risk first
and fix the fix the risk first risk-averse what can take you down
risk-averse what can take you down
risk-averse what can take you down what can take you out and when you get
what can take you out and when you get
what can take you out and when you get your basis right then you can go reach
your basis right then you can go reach
your basis right then you can go reach for the stars a little bit we wanted our
for the stars a little bit we wanted our
for the stars a little bit we wanted our lesson both directions
lesson both directions
lesson both directions I’d been training and planning for a
I’d been training and planning for a
I’d been training and planning for a year trying to put the endurance racing
year trying to put the endurance racing
year trying to put the endurance racing mentality to work and I was nervous we
mentality to work and I was nervous we
mentality to work and I was nervous we got that very first race my heroes were
got that very first race my heroes were
got that very first race my heroes were on the track
on the track
on the track I was watching our local announcers um
I was watching our local announcers um
I was watching our local announcers um Mike Shipman and Marco banya has got
Mike Shipman and Marco banya has got
Mike Shipman and Marco banya has got their microphone stuck in the window and
their microphone stuck in the window and
their microphone stuck in the window and they’re saying how you gonna do how’s it
they’re saying how you gonna do how’s it
they’re saying how you gonna do how’s it gonna go and I’m you’re our local guy
gonna go and I’m you’re our local guy
gonna go and I’m you’re our local guy and I’m like I just hope I don’t
and I’m like I just hope I don’t
and I’m like I just hope I don’t embarrass myself these are our I’m at my
embarrass myself these are our I’m at my
embarrass myself these are our I’m at my home race with these guys and it was a
home race with these guys and it was a
home race with these guys and it was a great start for us we won and it was a
great start for us we won and it was a
great start for us we won and it was a really good beginning and like I like to
really good beginning and like I like to
really good beginning and like I like to say we’ve worked really hard on begging
say we’ve worked really hard on begging
say we’ve worked really hard on begging on building that eight legged table and
on building that eight legged table and
on building that eight legged table and I say that we’re you know there’s so
I say that we’re you know there’s so
I say that we’re you know there’s so many times that the legs can be kicked
many times that the legs can be kicked
many times that the legs can be kicked out but we still have a table so we’re
out but we still have a table so we’re
out but we still have a table so we’re always working on a back-up plan
always working on a back-up plan
always working on a back-up plan back to the endurance racing mentality
back to the endurance racing mentality
back to the endurance racing mentality back to the never quit a lot of
back to the never quit a lot of
back to the never quit a lot of obstacles for me personally a lot of
obstacles for me personally a lot of
obstacles for me personally a lot of losses early on family friends personal
losses early on family friends personal
losses early on family friends personal stuff I had an early both my parents
stuff I had an early both my parents
stuff I had an early both my parents died tragically when I was young and in
died tragically when I was young and in
died tragically when I was young and in some really weird way I think it really
some really weird way I think it really
some really weird way I think it really shaped me and I try to look at her an
shaped me and I try to look at her an
shaped me and I try to look at her an adverse situation like that and try to
adverse situation like that and try to
adverse situation like that and try to turn it into a positive but it
turn it into a positive but it
turn it into a positive but it definitely gives me a look to be able to
definitely gives me a look to be able to
definitely gives me a look to be able to empathize with folks and to understand
empathize with folks and to understand
empathize with folks and to understand what they’re going through and to try to
what they’re going through and to try to
what they’re going through and to try to take that into my world and a little bit
take that into my world and a little bit
take that into my world and a little bit understand how we can make it a little
understand how we can make it a little
understand how we can make it a little bit better for everybody all the way
bit better for everybody all the way
bit better for everybody all the way around this picture is interesting one
around this picture is interesting one
around this picture is interesting one of the crashes we had in one of our
of the crashes we had in one of our
of the crashes we had in one of our races but this happens a lot in our
races but this happens a lot in our
races but this happens a lot in our world we raced in NASCAR Sprint Cup for
world we raced in NASCAR Sprint Cup for
world we raced in NASCAR Sprint Cup for three years and the the little dance
three years and the the little dance
three years and the the little dance that we do there on the stage with
that we do there on the stage with
that we do there on the stage with NASCAR it goes from perfect order to
NASCAR it goes from perfect order to
NASCAR it goes from perfect order to total chaos very very quickly I like to
total chaos very very quickly I like to
total chaos very very quickly I like to say you know we can operate at a very
say you know we can operate at a very
say you know we can operate at a very very high level of efficiency very high
very high level of efficiency very high
very high level of efficiency very high output as at the same time we’re being
output as at the same time we’re being
output as at the same time we’re being challenged
challenged
challenged the entire time and being tempted to
the entire time and being tempted to
the entire time and being tempted to look the wrong way so it’s it’s very
look the wrong way so it’s it’s very
look the wrong way so it’s it’s very very difficult in some ways I want to
very difficult in some ways I want to
very difficult in some ways I want to show you how it can go it can go wrong
show you how it can go it can go wrong
show you how it can go it can go wrong quickly very big accident
quickly very big accident
quickly very big accident very very big accident always thinking
very very big accident always thinking
very very big accident always thinking about what could go wrong what could
about what could go wrong what could
about what could go wrong what could happen you know really really quizzing
happen you know really really quizzing
happen you know really really quizzing the crew the drivers everything and like
the crew the drivers everything and like
the crew the drivers everything and like we said when we opened up here to finish
we said when we opened up here to finish
we said when we opened up here to finish first you first must finish and that’s a
first you first must finish and that’s a
first you first must finish and that’s a big part of our world and how we try to
big part of our world and how we try to
big part of our world and how we try to learn to get through everything together
learn to get through everything together
learn to get through everything together what was about to happen here was crazy
what was about to happen here was crazy
what was about to happen here was crazy this was at Lamar in 2002 very much
this was at Lamar in 2002 very much
this was at Lamar in 2002 very much enjoyed going there no idea what was
enjoyed going there no idea what was
enjoyed going there no idea what was going to happen we kind of laughed
going to happen we kind of laughed
going to happen we kind of laughed because we were so unprepared for the
because we were so unprepared for the
because we were so unprepared for the the entire pomp and circumstance we went
the entire pomp and circumstance we went
the entire pomp and circumstance we went there as a little Ratatat group but we
there as a little Ratatat group but we
there as a little Ratatat group but we were good we were tough and we were very
were good we were tough and we were very
were good we were tough and we were very good at our racing but we did not expect
good at our racing but we did not expect
good at our racing but we did not expect what we saw the big semis that had come
what we saw the big semis that had come
what we saw the big semis that had come the motor homes that were there you know
the motor homes that were there you know
the motor homes that were there you know we felt like a little bit of Rocky
we felt like a little bit of Rocky
we felt like a little bit of Rocky Balboa and the Dirty Dozen went to
Balboa and the Dirty Dozen went to
Balboa and the Dirty Dozen went to France and we were there to try to do
France and we were there to try to do
France and we were there to try to do our best but what was about to happen
our best but what was about to happen
our best but what was about to happen and really taught us a lesson and it’s
and really taught us a lesson and it’s
and really taught us a lesson and it’s good thing we spent that 10 years
good thing we spent that 10 years
good thing we spent that 10 years working on that endurance racing
working on that endurance racing
working on that endurance racing mentality to try to not make those
mentality to try to not make those
mentality to try to not make those mistakes not fall into those temptations
mistakes not fall into those temptations
mistakes not fall into those temptations and we didn’t and we won it was a big
and we didn’t and we won it was a big
and we didn’t and we won it was a big moment for us me and my two Co drivers
moment for us me and my two Co drivers
moment for us me and my two Co drivers up on the stage and we couldn’t believe
up on the stage and we couldn’t believe
up on the stage and we couldn’t believe it it was the beginning of a great role
it it was the beginning of a great role
it it was the beginning of a great role for us and for the company and that’s
for us and for the company and that’s
for us and for the company and that’s from my camera looking out and so
from my camera looking out and so
from my camera looking out and so sometimes when I’m at the office if I’m
sometimes when I’m at the office if I’m
sometimes when I’m at the office if I’m having a bad day
having a bad day
having a bad day I’ll go look at the picture and go back
I’ll go look at the picture and go back
I’ll go look at the picture and go back in my office he said say I’m not kidding
in my office he said say I’m not kidding
in my office he said say I’m not kidding actually so things do happen one of the
actually so things do happen one of the
actually so things do happen one of the things I like to point out a little bit
things I like to point out a little bit
things I like to point out a little bit you know that the we live like I was
you know that the we live like I was
you know that the we live like I was saying we live in this in this world
saying we live in this in this world
saying we live in this in this world were constantly being tempted the whole
were constantly being tempted the whole
were constantly being tempted the whole a long time to make these easy mistakes
a long time to make these easy mistakes
a long time to make these easy mistakes what was coming next was the epitome of
what was coming next was the epitome of
what was coming next was the epitome of us working hard and studying and
us working hard and studying and
us working hard and studying and listening and learning about that
listening and learning about that
listening and learning about that endurance racing mentality our big –
endurance racing mentality our big –
endurance racing mentality our big – endurance races in the world are the 24
endurance races in the world are the 24
endurance races in the world are the 24 hours of the month in the 24 Hours of
hours of the month in the 24 Hours of
hours of the month in the 24 Hours of Daytona and they both definitely test
Daytona and they both definitely test
Daytona and they both definitely test our spirit or will I’m not kidding you I
our spirit or will I’m not kidding you I
our spirit or will I’m not kidding you I have a joke when I’m at the Daytona 24
have a joke when I’m at the Daytona 24
have a joke when I’m at the Daytona 24 and I’m now mentoring and coaching a lot
and I’m now mentoring and coaching a lot
and I’m now mentoring and coaching a lot of the young drivers they’re all looking
of the young drivers they’re all looking
of the young drivers they’re all looking at their data and they’re all thinking
at their data and they’re all thinking
at their data and they’re all thinking about how they’re gonna go faster and
about how they’re gonna go faster and
about how they’re gonna go faster and what can they do to improve and I
what can they do to improve and I
what can they do to improve and I communed I was like first let’s go back
communed I was like first let’s go back
communed I was like first let’s go back last year or the year before or the year
last year or the year before or the year
last year or the year before or the year before that and let’s think about all
before that and let’s think about all
before that and let’s think about all the things that went wrong to keep those
the things that went wrong to keep those
the things that went wrong to keep those guys from winning that big race and it
guys from winning that big race and it
guys from winning that big race and it wasn’t what you guys are looking at
wasn’t what you guys are looking at
wasn’t what you guys are looking at right now indeed we have to be
right now indeed we have to be
right now indeed we have to be competitive but first focused on what
competitive but first focused on what
competitive but first focused on what can take you down so if you haven’t been
can take you down so if you haven’t been
can take you down so if you haven’t been in a race car this is what I wanted to
in a race car this is what I wanted to
in a race car this is what I wanted to show you we are competing here at the
show you we are competing here at the
show you we are competing here at the streets of st. Petersburg Florida it’s
streets of st. Petersburg Florida it’s
streets of st. Petersburg Florida it’s an it’s a sprint race and the
an it’s a sprint race and the
an it’s a sprint race and the interesting thing is this is a
interesting thing is this is a
interesting thing is this is a high-definition roof cam and I think
high-definition roof cam and I think
high-definition roof cam and I think you’ll enjoy it so sit back and enjoy a
you’ll enjoy it so sit back and enjoy a
you’ll enjoy it so sit back and enjoy a short little clip but what it shows you
short little clip but what it shows you
short little clip but what it shows you there are 25 world-class athletes in
there are 25 world-class athletes in
there are 25 world-class athletes in each of these cars McLaren Ferrari
each of these cars McLaren Ferrari
each of these cars McLaren Ferrari Porsche Aston Martin R Aston Martin
Porsche Aston Martin R Aston Martin
Porsche Aston Martin R Aston Martin double-oh-seven is the blue car here and
double-oh-seven is the blue car here and
double-oh-seven is the blue car here and they’re all trying to occupy the same
they’re all trying to occupy the same
they’re all trying to occupy the same piece of real estate at the same time
piece of real estate at the same time
piece of real estate at the same time trying to take each other out and
trying to take each other out and
trying to take each other out and there’s concrete walls on both sides so
there’s concrete walls on both sides so
there’s concrete walls on both sides so turn it up and enjoy
turn it up and enjoy
turn it up and enjoy [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] as all you know legend it’s kind of
as all you know legend it’s kind of
as all you know legend it’s kind of kind of kind of like one-on-one at rush
kind of kind of like one-on-one at rush
kind of kind of like one-on-one at rush hour but not quite as bad so it’s
hour but not quite as bad so it’s
hour but not quite as bad so it’s actually good to see the perspective
actually good to see the perspective
actually good to see the perspective because I get asked a lot if people ask
because I get asked a lot if people ask
because I get asked a lot if people ask you know our race car drivers athletes
you know our race car drivers athletes
you know our race car drivers athletes and and what’s it like and I will tell
and and what’s it like and I will tell
and and what’s it like and I will tell you from having been in competitive
you from having been in competitive
you from having been in competitive sports my whole life that this will this
sports my whole life that this will this
sports my whole life that this will this taxes you more than anything you could
taxes you more than anything you could
taxes you more than anything you could do not only is it physical in the
do not only is it physical in the
do not only is it physical in the cockpit with everything you’re doing
cockpit with everything you’re doing
cockpit with everything you’re doing with your arms and your legs but the
with your arms and your legs but the
with your arms and your legs but the intensity with your cardio and also
intensity with your cardio and also
intensity with your cardio and also situational awareness which is a premium
situational awareness which is a premium
situational awareness which is a premium in the sport really seeing what’s going
in the sport really seeing what’s going
in the sport really seeing what’s going on around you as you can see and also
on around you as you can see and also
on around you as you can see and also maybe having a little bit less worries
maybe having a little bit less worries
maybe having a little bit less worries about the fear factor of what happens in
about the fear factor of what happens in
about the fear factor of what happens in these types of things but it’s really
these types of things but it’s really
these types of things but it’s really exhilarating when you get it right and
exhilarating when you get it right and
exhilarating when you get it right and when you get it wrong it isn’t so good
when you get it wrong it isn’t so good
when you get it wrong it isn’t so good but I’m I’m glad I was able to share
but I’m I’m glad I was able to share
but I’m I’m glad I was able to share that with you guys it was like it was a
that with you guys it was like it was a
that with you guys it was like it was a cool video I wanted to show you the
cool video I wanted to show you the
cool video I wanted to show you the companies gone on to do some some great
companies gone on to do some some great
companies gone on to do some some great stuff and I’m happy to be able to share
stuff and I’m happy to be able to share
stuff and I’m happy to be able to share with you and so maybe if there’s a
with you and so maybe if there’s a
with you and so maybe if there’s a chance to inspire anybody about
chance to inspire anybody about
chance to inspire anybody about following your passion understanding a
following your passion understanding a
following your passion understanding a little bit a little bit about the
little bit a little bit about the
little bit a little bit about the endurance racing mentality and never
endurance racing mentality and never
endurance racing mentality and never quit because believe me thought so many
quit because believe me thought so many
quit because believe me thought so many times guys because it’s hard but it’ll
times guys because it’s hard but it’ll
times guys because it’s hard but it’ll be worth it and it was worth it we led
be worth it and it was worth it we led
be worth it and it was worth it we led the Aston Martin program for the last
the Aston Martin program for the last
the Aston Martin program for the last five years here in North America and
five years here in North America and
five years here in North America and happy to have done this as our going
happy to have done this as our going
happy to have done this as our going into our 27 a year like I said and thank
into our 27 a year like I said and thank
into our 27 a year like I said and thank you so much probably appreciate
”
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