Several of the 6 car bays were occupied with cars on racks that were dismantled to varying degrees. This substantial, open and immaculate area was exceptionally well lit, and while it's white interior was brightly illuminated, it's red and grey accents gave the room it's depth.
Several of the crew members were busy working while others appeared to be consulting one another. To my right was the open section of the building reserved for the engineering staff where engineers sporting their signature briefcases occupied several desks. Along the corridor of the engineering section stood a 5-ft partition. It's ledge was crammed with more trophies looking as if they belonged in a sculpture museum collection rather than a business hallway. To my left, two additional trophy cases stood guard on either side of the entryway to the administrative offices which appeared to be energized with a variety of people all engaged in a flurry of activity.
Having previewed most of the second floor, we made our way to the first floor shop area where the shop- based crews were preparing for the upcoming season. The present shop area would be expanded in upcoming weeks to include 10 bays needed to accommodate the ever- increasing workload. Scott explained that in order to stay on top of the demanding schedule, 6 cars would be rotated throughout the season with 2 cars continually being prepped in the shop for the next race.
In preparing for the Indianapolis 500 this year, the shop crews again would be rotated into crew positions assisting with the Indy effort. It is likely again this year that the Indy 500 team would miss the opening weekend, qualify on the second weekend, and run on Carburation day and again on race day. This year by comparison, would be much easier than last year when the team was dealing with a new chassis, a new engine, the Indy race and a new base of operations involving a major move for the team. "We're already months ahead of the game compared to last year. We have 4 of our cars here and will have 2 more G-force IRL's here by next week".
The tour then proceeded to the body shop where rows of wings, various chassis kits, and chassis panels were neatly stacked onto racks against the wall. From there we continued to the transporter area where 3 of the 5 transporters were parked. With the newly revised off-season testing schedules, a former "test" truck would now be converted into an Indy 500 transporter.
The merchandising room where Target merchandise was stored and inventoried was next- I hoped no one would miss the hat I was able to “finess” away from there while on my tour!
The engine bay would be rather interesting as an air of secrecy always hovered thick over the area much like that of a hot and humid August day. Last year, there were 20 engines contracted to the team from Toyota for the CART effort and 9 engines available for the IRL effort. The number of engines given to any team varied upon the specific terms agreed to between the manufacturer and the team, as well as a team's performance history.
As usual, the question of horsepower continued to remain a secret- even to the crew members. However, to venture an educated guess would not be breaking any rules so how about between 850 to 1000 HP? No definative answer was ever procured from my “guess”. Only ominus team smiles…
The smell of new paint filled the carbon and paint shop and the crew member that was working there reminded me of Michael Chandler, only a foot taller. The parts dept had a window and counter just like my own car dealership. Bar coding and scanners would soon be implemented so that efficiency and productivity would be maximized. This dept. employed two full time “parts guys” and a part time "runner" who retrieved parts from local vendors such as North American Race parts and Motor Sports Repairs, although the emphasis remained on manufacturing and utilizing as many parts made "in-house" as possible.
The machine shop contained welding and fabrication equipment including lathes with which to, among other things, create more in- house parts. I couldn't help but notice a new, "plastic" smell in the air that oddly enough reminded me of a brand new doll when I was a little girl. Instead of allowing me to enjoy this brief moment of priceless regression, I was told instead, that I smelled coolant! No more spontaneous aromatherapy sessions for me in auto machine shops!
The gearbox shop where drive shafts, breaks and gearboxes were repaired and modified was our last "technical" stop. Scott assured me that last year's gearbox woes would be a thing of the past.
Finally, the employee break room where lunch was catered in every day was large, comfortable and inviting. TCGR's "awesome" chef, Jon Wheeler whose specialty is "everything!", only traveled during the in-season and was responsible for the team and hospitality fare.
Connected to the break room, was an exercise room containing two treadmills and numerous free weights available for employees to use, with or with out their personal trainer. From there, I was escorted back to where my Carroll-ean racing adventure began, the front lobby.
"It was a glorious victory, wasn't it? The White Knight panted..."
I'll see you safe to the end of the wood, then I must go back. That's the end of my move...You've only a few yards to go, he said. Down the hill and over that little brook and then you'll be a Queen...
It's been said that some of life's most unique and unexpected experiences happen spontaneously. My journey then would end just as it had begun. As it happened, there was a young man dressed in casual street clothes standing in the lobby politely inquiring about where to find entertainment in Indy. Could it be… Bruno Junqueira? I quickly remembered that when preparation met opportunity, "luck" would ensure results.
So as fate would have it, and in possession of a new, unsigned hat and a "Sharpie" in my back pocket, the final laps of this journey were clear: obtaining an autographed hat from one of the most promising new drivers in American open wheel racing-a most fitting end to my adventurous journey into the racing world of TCGR!
"First it marked out a race-course, in a sort of circle, and then all the party were placed along the course, here and there....but they began running when they liked, and left off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know when the race was over...The most curious part of the thing was, that the trees and other things never changed their places at all: however fast they went, they never seemed to pass anything. I wonder if all things move with us, thought poor puzzled Alice."
As I exited the front door of the looking glass located at 7777 Woodland Dr. signed hat in hand, feeling most exhilarated from my newest adventure, I thought about how giving Mike Hull said TCGR was. Well let's see... I was given a hat; given a special autograph; given a 2 hour interview; given a tour, and given an opportunity to step into a world that few people ever get to experience first hand.
Yes, I'd have to say Mike not only "knows" racing, but Mike was right! If his definition of "Speed is Life" was any indication of my afternoon at TCGR, then I could only describe today’s adventure as
"Flat out"!
"Oh, I've had such a curious dream! said Alice, and she told her sister as well as she could remember them, all these strange adventures of hers that you've been reading about...Thus grew the tale of Wonderland: Thus slowly, one by one, It's quaint events were hammered out and now the tale is done. And home we steer, a merry crew, beneath the setting sun."
A Very Special Thanks to:
Tom Ryan -- of the Tunheim Group who made this interview possible.
Mike Hull -- without whom there would be no interview.
Scott Harner -- for my special tour of the facility.
Chip Ganassi & Target -- who make it possible for us all to travel through looking glasses, where Speed is
Life, and have the adventures of our lives….some on a daily basis.
** The verses used throughout this piece have been taken from the works of Lewis Carroll.**
You can contact Melisa at.. Speed News Now
