D.I. COLUMNIST
The Real Deal
with Tommy D'Aprile
I
t was December and time for the Snowbird
Nationals in Bradenton, Florida. This is one of
only a few close-to-home races and certainly en-
joyable for us as travel time is only about an hour
from the house. This is also one of few times my kids
and I get to race together. As we started our weekend
race I noticed many familiar friends and faces and
was really enjoying being close to home. The weather
was nice, the track was fast, and we had a great time.
As the race continued I started to notice some things about racers
and fans. Most of us know we have a job to do at the race and the cars
can demand much of our attention, but people who pay good money
to watch us race deserve our attention as well. Our fans in motors-
ports cannot be ignored – without them our sport suffers.
In a recent poll of fans who attended motorsports events, a major-
ity of them had the same answer to a question about what would
bring them back to an event. They all said the interaction with teams
and drivers made them feel important and through that they were
able to develop relationships with race teams and could not wait to
get back to the races.
The question I have for all of us racing is, how much time do you
spend making fans feel important? I know it’s not always easy to
take some time out of our busy schedule, but the time we put into
someone can change their whole experience they have at the track.
My kids and I were standing in our pit area when a couple with
seven kids – yes, seven kids – came walking up to the kids’ Jr. Drag-
sters. My son and daughter immediately started talking with the
family and before I knew it, all seven kids were given the opportu-
nity to sit in the cars. The looks on their faces were priceless and the
parents were beside themselves and could not stop smiling.
Right there I was taught a lesson. Although I am usually good
with people, the love my kids showed to this family truly touched my
heart and made me evaluate my actions toward people. I told them
I was proud of them and they said it was no big deal and it only took
10 minutes out of their day. I am guilty of not always taking the time
to make someone’s day more enjoyable. I think all of us could start
taking a little more time out of our busy days to make a difference
in others.
Another time racing in Canada, we were in a rush to get the car
ready to go to the starting line when a man in a power wheelchair
came by. I noticed he had a flat tire and needed assistance. My team
and I jacked up his chair and repaired the tire in about five minutes.
We lost the race in the next round, but we made a friend for life. That
was years ago and still remains one of the best moments in my racing
career. Helping someone actually made our day better.
If you really think about it, so much of our focus is on ourselves
daily. “Me, myself and I” always get in the way of compassion to-
wards others. The acts of kindness and compassion seem fleeting. So,
what can we do? Here is a simple suggestion: Treat people the way
you want to be treated. It’s called the golden rule. The next time you
are at the racetrack, take a look around. You will see people wan-
dering and some peeking in at your pit area. Take a minute and say
hello. Show interest in the fan who spent their hard-earned money
to come see you.
If all of us do our part we can make our sport better. It’s not just
the racing that makes it enjoyable for people, it’s the relationships
that keep them coming back. Give a bottle of water to someone, give
out a shirt; do something that will make someone feel special. The
fact that you would go out of your way for a total stranger will be
mind-boggling to people, and it’s not hard to do. It’s easy being self-
ish, but there is no reward in it. The time you take to make someone’s
day will in turn make your day. As always, the choice is yours to make.
Email Tommy at
[email protected]
March 2019
(800) 208-1755
Meziere.com
Water Pumps • Starters • Flexplates all crafted in the U.S.A.
DragIllustrated.com
| D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d | 57