Jim Gandolf Blog

All levels of opportunity;from Jim Gandolf

2012-01-21T21:05:00.001-08:00

How can a person see any opportunity if that person just doesn’t see what is even around that person? I can look at many years of explaining something to someone; or to a group of people. It’s the way you can hold on to your emotions in the middle of the explanation of expression to the matter at hand. No matter what you are trying to explain; if you’re human your gut will tremble, your mind will fade to the wrong area. You can even say the wrong thing in the explanation of your point in business. You might even talk about the wrong subject to this group or person. This is all about the qualification process of finding out what are these people are all about? Can they handle you as a business person? Do these people you are explaining your business venture to understand business at all? Why are you explaining any business opportunity with this group of people at all? First of all are they family members? Explaining opportunity’s to friends that never have even owned a business at all? What I am bringing your opportunity is the thought process in all my kind of way of thinking. I found myself explaining myself over and over to many people in business that just does not matter at all. Like at a coffee shop, or a country club. When the night is clear and you’re walking down the street for a little breath of fresh air. A friend sitting in there front yard and asks, “What do you do Jim, work wise?” You can’t be rude can you? If you are in the business of network marketing; you can explain in a brief description of what you do to bring in the income. Everyone is proud of what they do for a living, and that is just fine to explain with the wonderful experience that is for you and your family. This is about the people that want to know what you do to steel your business from you. Why should you have to prove to another business person that your system works? If you get into too many details you can find yourself in a mess. What would be the mess? The mess is this; this person could be asking enough questions to go to another group of people to say. “Yeah; I know Jim Gandolf and he is not on the right path to success with the way they are doing business.” Now just saying that to someone over a few questions and not doing business the right way. Getting the wrong information about the way you do business is a horrible mess. No one needs to know the way you do business unless they are clients. People from the outside of your business would never understand success in your world unless these people are clients. Then you should be under an NDNC, and speak freely on all the processes you go through to succeed. What I run into are people that want to think they can ask me what I do? I tell them,” I am into a few things, why do you ask?” If you know the person they know what you do. If it’s someone you don’t know, why are they asking you anything like that? Do these people even care or are they making small talk? This action depends on the atmosphere you are in, night club, coffee shop, or so on. New people that try to figure you out fast; get rid of fast. If you; are a driven person for that success in the spot light. You have to strive for the positive people. Do not sit there and explain your success to anyone. You are not a university or a college. You have paid your dues. I have won just about every sales contest that I was in; yes I have lost a few too. Unless you are paid to express yourself; keep what you do in sales in a very happy spot in life. Remember when you were down and out? People did not even care about you at all. When you are on top of your game; everyone come out of the woods to get information from you. Just be careful of the motives behind the questions people can throw at you. They will act like they just don’t believe you in the first place. So why give them the pleasure of any thoughts of failure in their mind at all. Most people are comfortable in making others look like nonsense when they are ones doing all the messing up. When other start to gossip about other business people; what are they saying when you are not around? I had to learn that the hard way. Why can certain people not make it out there in the business world? When they start to fail, they start to blame other people; like my wife is giving me trouble and I can’t think. Or I have a sickness in the family. I had a real bad childhood and can’t focus on everything at once. You have to live right now. The passed will get you down in any way you look at the past. You can set goals. Yes you can. But; you need to be in the action of business for right now. There are no guarantees for tomorrow at all. Planning for the right action in business for today can leap you in to the front of your business field every time you step out on to the business stage. Drive the cost down so you can profit. Give your customer no excuses at all. Gain all the knowledge you can about your business to succeed. Understand in your mind what is your level of success; not someone else’s level of success. Get the right team of people around you that can get the job done. Look you can be very comfortable with one goal in your life. Now I can say that there are many goals in my life that I face every day to get the companies out front that I deal with. Drive the cost of goods down; as soon as you can. Look at all your options in every angle of the factor. As my grandfather used to say to me all the time, “Jimmy, business is business, and friends are friends. Keep them always separate, and you will do just fine.” Now the only reason you would ever explain anything about your business to a friend is this; if the friend has known you for a very long time and someone they do business with is asking questions (They just don’t know the answer), your friend feels comfortable enough to ask you a question about your area of expertise. That is safe to everyone involved. I say to everyone always use good judgment. Ask the Lord for guidance all the time. That alone will keep you in a great path.
Jim Gandolf

To a great friend! Thank You!

2012-01-09T10:16:00.000-08:00

This is a note I want to write about a very good friend. Yes this friend is a strong influence in my life. This is a person that can stand and shout at me to get things right. To focus; on all levels. To answer the phone; if I mess up real bad. This man helped me focus when the world was crashing down on me. He actually told me once to go to the spa while a mess of people was trying to ruin me in business. He paid for me to get a new suit during all of this mess. The wolf’s came to get me, and Big L was standing there with a great plan and great attorneys. Big L; built a great business and is a strong leader in my world. Big L was from the south side of Chicago, but had a base in Milwaukee. I met Big L from the strongest man on the planet. Big D. Yes these men have Big in the front of their names for a reason. You might think that they were gangsters from the streets? Street problems; of a major way? The Big stands for big man on the block? No; I thought that when I met the two. This Big word is a very positive word. Big mind, or Big dreams, and Big heart. This is a street term for my friends. I was a single father in Milwaukee with not much help on people listing to my dreams at all. I had few friends in Milwaukee. I had to make it with my son on my own with the help of a lot of prayer. The Lord put Big L, and Big D in my life to start the transformation of a leaders of all of us three. Now; I won every sales contest I did get in because of Big L. He taught me how to make every day count with sales. Write my goals on the bathroom mirror so I see them every day. I had won every kind of major sales event in sales, and marketing because of this drive Big L pushed into my mind (Big L; was my main coach). Big L made statement in my basement at the time. Jim; get your head out of your rear end and get your freaking book started. No; this was not a friend standing there saying Jim do something. Big L’s eyes have a different look at this time. This was three hundred pounds of a man, wearing 300 thousand dollars of real bling and gold on him. He was not smiling at all. Get your mind on business Jim. He also made a statement on me to get my business on. He looked at Big D, and then said get this man to where I need the man, or I will smack the both of you. Now at this point I did not know if I was going to get shot, or beat up, ten years ago? This was new friendship with a big altitude of a successful man in the making. Nothing was going to get in the way of this man’s success at all. Jail and the streets did not stop this man from getting somewhere. Big L has the Lord in a major way in his life. He is a fighter for the people of broken homes and broken promises. Big L has since moved to Mimi and Atlanta where the head quarter of his company is. Yes I have an office there. I am never there though, but once or twice a year. Yes Big L is a real brother of mine in the Lord. Yes he is in the rap and hip hop, business world. He is one of the largest independent music distributors in the USA. The brand of his world is Udigg Records. People of the streets and poets of our times, you will never find a better safe haven for your world. Now I understand the Lord fights for us all in every way. Now I also believe that the Lord give us great people to help us in every way while we have our minds out of focus. If I was to say to Big L, I am having a hard time right now. Big L just would not say what’s wrong Jimmy? He would be on an air plane in a second I hung up the phone. This friends; is the one person on earth that helped me build a good company with a great group of people. Big L will be coming to most of the races this year in a major way with me. I get to show Big L speed on the concrete. Why not, Big L; owns every kind of super car on the planet. So I am going to show Big L my streets this year, with the help of Tony Marks, and Jaques Lazier. The streets of St Pete, Long Beach, and the streets of Detroit! Daytona Super Speed way! Yes; hello; the Indianapolis five hundred. Yes; Hip Hop is coming to Talladega Speedway! Racing and the rap game will never be the same after this year! Can you Digg It people? I can, because I know one of my friends is Big L.
Jim Gandolf

How much pain do we have?

2012-01-06T09:51:00.000-08:00

By: Jim Gandolf, January 6, 2012

I was in one of our major accounts this morning. I was looking over the shelf space and pricing. I walked by the pain pills section of this store. I just did not realize how many different kind of pain medicine there is; out there. I stood at that spot in the store and started to look over the brands, size, shape, and prices! I just can’t believe that we here in America that we are in that much pain? Major Drug Company brands in this section of the store; and with private labeling; with all kinds of claims that their product, is going to be the cure; for your pain. I then looked at the sales data for pain pills or your headache quick fix pill (Sales are down from last years numbers). Then I looked it up the word ache in Webster: Ache: to suffer a usually dull persistent pain b: to become distressed or disturbed (as with anxiety or regret) c: to feel compassion Then I looked up what to do is you have pain in the Bible. The one Bible verse came to my mind that sticks heart is: Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; (James 5:14 NASB). Now I know that can cover a head ache too! Or is life just easer to put a pill down your throat? Is your elders in tune with this Bible Verse (James 5:14)? My suggestion to you is; maybe the Lord is getting to America and starting to move through millions of consumers sales in this category of pain pills had dropped dramatically from last year. I pray to the Lord that these types of medicines are being used only when needed. Or the Lord is moving through your Church elders and making the elders more available for what that title is to stands for. When you see people; in your Church starting to get healed of problems that doctors can’t fix, without prescribing something that the patients saw on a television commercial last night. Look I know some medical devises are needed. Some medications are need in some people. If you are a believer in Christ; all you do need is him. I went to church seven years ago. I was distracted in life at the time. I was a smoker; and that was troubling me very strong for my son’s health that had compactions with a medical problem. At the end of the service the minster asked if there was any one that needs prayer. I never thought I would ever need to go up to the front of a Church to receive prayer from anyone. I left my little son at the chair at Church and for some reason (I have never went to the front of a Church for anything at this point in my life). This person I did not know at all put his hands on my stomach and started to pray. I thought it was over some personal issue with a female friend, that I was going through. I felt a calm come over me. A tear started to come down my cheek and I could not control what was happening to me. I felt great after that experience. But as I used to do; while leaving Church; I would light up a smoke stick as I would drive away from Church. I started to do this action. When; I lit up the cigarette; I just didn’t feel that I needed that at all anymore at all. I flipped the cigarette out the window and never toughed one again. I felt as that I never need a cigarette ever again. I went to a friend’s house to explain what happened at that Church; and they laughed at me. That friend made fun of me for many years for what I experienced. I still pray for that friend every time I can think about him. My point is I was going to find the Lord after that experience I went through seven years ago. I have found the Lord in every way I can while I ask the Lord in prayer. The Lord is the now in all of our lives. Some people pray to lose weight. The Lord will not only help you lose weight; but change your eating habits.

I have seen people healed of cancer with the Lord, since seven years ago. I have seen people get out of wheel chairs. I have seen a man fall on the ground because he can’t walk. Then after the elders laid there hand on this feisty man. Two week later playing volley ball with me and winning that match. I was moved and scared when my doctor diagnosed me with diabetes and started to lose my eye site so bad. I could not even see that well to get to church. My sugar levels were at 498, and then I started to take pill and change my diet, and pray. My sugar dropped down to 158 and lost my eye site over that. My eyes were all over focusing. I was a mess. It was Wednesday night, a few years ago, a Bible study group; that I watched these elders of this Church I belong to heal everything with the Lords guidance. I told my wife I was going to go to Church that night. I put two pair of glasses on my face so I could see at night that well. It was dark February was the time of year. I have not been to Bible study group for a few weeks while I was going through this life experience. I would cry for no reason at all (Really that’s not me). I did not know that much about this diabetes drama or that much information at all. All I was reading was not good for me. No hope or anything at all. You just don’t get rid of this mess at all, from what I was reading. I did get to Church that night and everyone was happy to see me; and I started to confess what I was going through. These elders just stopped what they were doing and one elder put oil on my forehead and all of these wonderful men were working through the Lord. The prayers were being shouted loud and strong and mild end to the prayers. That oil that that one elder put on my forehead tingled like witch hazel would (a natural herb used in many positive ways). Now this lasted for days. I just could not wash that off at all. By Friday my eyes changed so dramatically I got a new eye glass prescription and could see, much better. That Saturday night before bed; I started to cry out to the Lord with thanks. Three months after that, with a great change in my diet and praying from a whole mess of people my doctor took me off medication said he has not seen such a great transformation. He said jokingly; “Jim, I want you to take something so; take a baby aspirin, one a day!” I got in the car with my wife and said, “Thank you Lord for this healing to ourselves, with the his help.” Yes; America we have had free health care all along. Just go to Church and worship the Lord. Communities will heal, the sick, and the dead will be raised in the Lords name. Our country will be healing if we all pray together. Now some people say I have lost my mind and none of these things ever happened to me at all. My children and wife have gone through a healing by elder’s praying over them. Now at the end of my little note for today; their will not be any notification of side effects at all. No disclaimers; on any do not do processes. You can even go to Church if your pregnant women! Men you can even go to Church if you have high blood pressure! Children can even go to Church if they took a cookie when they were told not to. The word of the Lord is for everyone on this earth to hear and experience. We are alive now; not in the past! We learn from that past, that is what the entire past if for; education. Now go; and get fixed with the Lords help today, for we do not know what is going to happen tomorrow, you are alive now!

Jim Gandolf

Look back at Dan Wheldon

2012-01-03T07:18:00.000-08:00

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Being Careful at the Track This Year!

2012-01-02T21:44:00.001-08:00

I have noticed that some of our competitors at a race event will walk right up to your sponsors and try to get friendly. I cannot believe my eyes at times. Now I am not saying everyone does this. Wait a minute; let me say “Yes” they do. I don’t care what race teams you are racing against. Some of these so called marketing people will walk right up and try to do business right in front of your face. Hello with your sponsors that are with your race team. Now the way to fix this is with solid tour groups at the race track. Have a good group of trained personnel to keep the sponsor very active with excitement. Have a strong action plan at the race track. Have your team aware of who the sponsors are and where they are at all times. Have your race crew (from your team at the track) keep their friend from other race team pit crews away from your set ups at the race track. Everyone from your race team keep the same pit crew gear on; like same color shirts and pants so the team manager can stay focused at all times. Have the sponsors wear a different color hat from your pit crew. Pay close attention; to whom your race team is going out to dinner with, while you are on the road. Just some simple tips to keep the nonsense away from your race team this year. Good luck to all this year, and the season is creeping up on us all.
Jim Gandolf

May 27, 2012 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5-mile oval

2011-12-22T09:14:00.000-08:00

I want to write about all the ways to see the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race action. This is the largest single day sporting event in the world; so I would love to tell you how to see it live. I would say that you should at least go to a few practice days in the start of May to get a feel for the drivers or teams to root for that five hundred mile race that would be going on later in the month. Now when I was a young man I loved opening day at the race track. I waited all year for that day alone. Seeing; the first race car on the racetrack. Hearing the driver’s names; over the public address system, and the new sponsors. Getting old friends together; on the fourth turn for a great cook out. This day is a great way to see the how good the drivers are going to be for the month. You can walk all over the inside of the race track to experience how these drivers handle the racetrack; or the racetrack handles the drivers. The best place on the racetrack to see the cars in full speed is the first turn. You can hear these loud cars hit the finish line; that still has a foot of the old bricks in place on the track (hints the name the Brickyard). That will make a popping noise, as the cars get to the first turn in full speed. The cars will whisk with speeds that you have never seen in your life. You cannot experience that kind of speed on TV at all. When you see this live it will move you like nothing else. The next place to feel the speeds that these cars are doing are off the second turn right on the outside wall. Now people; do not get kick out of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on your first day. Please ask a security person or someone that owns a suite on the second turn to see what I am talking about. Or find Johnny Parson, JR a former driver of twelve Indy 500, and Johnny will show you what I am talking about on the second turn. Qualifications days are very grand now; there is absolutely no room for error at all. Two days of excitement running through your mind of whom is going to make the race? Now I know the best spot on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s grounds for these two days. Grandstand B, or A on the outside before turn one. Or the top the suits behind the pits are great grand stand seats. South east vista, North West Vista. Inside the track over on the new family viewing hill is a very good view. Now when I was young the best place in the world to see the cars and divers was along the pit fence and get your autographs all day long. When you get a little older you want to see these cars hit the speeds on the most famous race track in the world. Walk around this great race track, and see where you would like to see these cars hit the speeds of amazing triumphs. Then focus on the tickets for the five hundred mile race itself. Now Indy does offer package deal with hotels, and ticket combos. If you want tickets for the race go to the Indy 500’s web site (http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com) and see what’s available first to see your options. The turns are golden. The suites are golden at a great price. Now if you’re on a budget get the infield passes for $20.00 apiece. When the thirty three cars line up on the track and come around for the pace lap, you will be screaming for joy no matter where you are on this track, and that is a fact. When the green flag drops; you will never forget that feeling as the cars come screaming back around that race track. I am telling you in an instant your life will change on all levels of your life. The thought of 400,000 some odd fans cheering at once and hundreds of millions of fans watching on television live. The roar of the thirty three engines screaming past you plus the sea of colors from all the fans is truly amazing in itself. You know at that point 199 more laps to go we will have a winner. I have been blessed in all of these wonderful actions during the month of May. If you ever sponsor one of these teams you will have a very different experience with me, even greater that what I have explained in this article. I will personally take you through the pits, and the garage area. Have dinner with a very great driver from the past and a current driver. You will be with the team down on the track; at all of the festivities before the five hundred mile race starts. I will explain all the fine point of the history of this grand race track. Plus; your clients will see the same thing you will. You will then get to see why so many people have enjoyed this major sporting event over the years. Now even a better bit of news! The sound of the turbo will be winding high pitch noise with the speeds this year! Get ready with your lunch box orders from your local Kroger’s Grocery store in Speedway, Indiana for May fans! Yes it is time to talk about Indy and the month of May!
Jim Gandolf

The 2012 IndyCar schedule is out!

2011-12-22T06:43:00.000-08:00

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011) – A first-ever event in China and two venues that return after multi-year absences highlight the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule for 2012 announced today.

The 2012 season, which will feature the return of engine manufacturer competition and a new universal chassis produced by Dallara Automobili, kicks off Sunday, March 25, with the eighth Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

The IZOD IndyCar Series again presents the most diverse schedule in motorsports with the challenges of races on temporary street circuits, permanent road courses, superspeedways and short ovals in four countries.

“To be crowned IZOD IndyCar Series champion, the driver must be able to master a diversified race schedule that truly challenges the best in the world,” said Randy Bernard, CEO, INDYCAR. “The 2012 schedule offers our drivers and teams the test of conquering both ovals and road and street races. Adding to the diversity of the season, we’re excited with the launch of three engine manufacturers vying for the Manufacturers Trophy.”

The scenic Belle Isle park circuit will be the site of the recently announced Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix on Sunday, June 3. The IZOD IndyCar Series had competed at the Raceway at Belle Isle in 2007 and ’08. Also returning to the schedule is the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway oval in Fontana, Calif., for a race under the lights Saturday, Sept. 15. INDYCAR sanctioned four races at Auto Club Speedway between 2002 and ’05, while CART hosted events at the track from 1997 to 2002.

Night races also will be held at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 9, and the .875-mile Iowa Speedway on Saturday, June 23.

The Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 27, with Pole Day on Saturday, May 19.

The IZOD IndyCar Series returns to Barber Motorsports Park for the third consecutive year on Sunday, April 1, and the 38th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will be held Sunday, April 15. Also, the series will compete on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the third time on Sunday, April 29, as the lead-in to Indianapolis 500 activities.

Back-to-back races in Canada highlight July – on the streets of Exhibition Place in Toronto on Sunday, July 8, and on the exciting City Centre Airport circuit in Edmonton, Alberta, on Sunday, July 22.

The permanent road courses of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Sunday, Aug. 5) and Infineon Raceway (Sunday, Aug. 26) also retain their traditional dates. On Sunday, Sept. 2, the IZOD IndyCar Series will electrify the streets of downtown Baltimore for the second consecutive year.

“INDYCAR is excited about the confirmed races announced today,” said Bernard. “With the new car and engine manufacturer competition, we believe they will be tremendous events that will help INDYCAR grow.

“We are exploring adding additional events to the 2012 schedule. We’re in the process of confirming a 16th event, while also considering adding a 17th race to the calendar.”

In addition to the race schedule, the series’ annual preseason Open Test will be held at Sebring International Raceway on March 5-8.

The television lineup and event start times will be announced soon. Also, the 2012 Indy Lights schedule will be announced soon.

Date Track Venue
March 25 Streets of St. Petersburg 1.8-mile street course
April 1 Barber Motorsports Park 2.3-mile road course
April 15 Streets of Long Beach 1.968-mile street course
April 29 Streets of Sao Paulo 2.536-mile street course
May 27 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5-mile oval
June 3 Raceway at Belle Isle Park 2.1-mile street course
June 9 Texas Motor Speedway 1.5-mile oval
June 23 Iowa Speedway .875-mile oval
July 8 Streets of Toronto 1.755-mile street course
July 22 Edmonton City Centre Airport 1.973-mile airport course
Aug. 5 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course
Aug. 19 Streets of Qingdao, China 3.87-mile street course
Aug. 26 Infineon Raceway 2.303-mile road course
Sept. 2 Streets of Baltimore 2-mile street course
Sept. 15 Auto Club Speedway 2-mile oval

Schedule subject to change

Jared Marks is today testing at Daytona!

2011-12-16T09:13:00.001-08:00

I was just sitting in a suite at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway two years ago when my cell phone rang and; and who was calling? Some person I have not talked to in years. I will keep that person’s name out of this story. I was just sitting there and thinking of how nice of a day it was, then the phone call. I was being pitched on getting Jared Marks funding for racing. This guy that called me was going on and on about how great of a driver this young man Jared Marks could be. I was in a daze because so much was going on in my world at the time at Indy. I agreed to listen to this old friend about this new race car driver, called Jared Marks, later on that night for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants to eat at. Well I was so into what this old friend was saying about Jared Marks at dinner I had to see what was going on in Ohio. I left for Jared Marks home town of Napoleon, Ohio; which is just about three hours north east of Indianapolis, Indiana. From that point I met a young man that has the inter drive to be a great race car driver. His father is a major driving coach for Jared Marks. Tony Marks knew his sons talent, but was very serious in molding a great young man. Tony Marks is a talented driver himself, but with no reservations of giving up racing to get his son and daughter in the right direction on the race track. Tony looked me in the eye and said, “Jim, I am going to build a very serious racing organization around my two children. Jared will; be first as Rocket Rachel Marks is the next phase of this operation.” Now at this point I have been getting the right amount of capital for race teams for over twenty years, and I have heard everything under the sun about how these parents have the next great race car driver. Now I tell you that this was different. It was very quiet in my heart. I could hear the wind blowing across the private airport Napoleon, Ohio has as I stood in Tony Marks air plane hangar, IE Race shop! I prayed silently to the Lord to see what I was feeling. Since that minute we have put some great opportunity for that race team. Tony Marks and the whole crew at Tony Marks Racing has taught me so much about racing that I didn’t know about. I was speechless for days (can you believe that) when in Salem, Indiana last year Jared Marks did get a top 5 finish. I just had nothing to say. I was so proud of Jared Marks, and Tony Marks and the TMR crew. I was in a daze. The Lord has touched me with this great family, and or racing team. Jaques Lazier and I can’t wait to start this season in motor sports. I will let everyone know soon who the sponsors are for the 2012 ARCA season, and the 2012 IndyCar season for Jaques Lazier, and Tony Marks Racing. As for now; are you kidding Jared Marks is on the Daytona great race track and testing the TMR number 12!

Jim Gandolf

Where are the fans of motorsports?

2011-12-07T07:37:00.000-08:00

Racing has changed for everyone!

This world of racing has changed in every aspect of the game. Just because a major racing series is coming to town, doesn’t mean that the stands are going to be full of fans. That used to be the case many years ago. Well let me think, maybe 10 years ago, these major racing series might of gotten away with that; while local tracks have gain the respect of the crowds. The major racing series have not. The major racing series have focused only on national sponsors for their event and forgot about the supporting local business that a short track had gain full speed ahead. Yes where the local consumer shops or appears once a week like a grocery store, or gas stations, even drug stores. These places are the new heart beat of America in promotions. The consumer has no choice but to visit every week in these great locally own stores. Radio and TV is just not enough anymore in today’s times. You can hear how a major racing series explain how the economy is the reason why the ticket sales are down. That is just a phase to the public, I am sorry fans we have lost touch with you one more time again (Is what they are really saying to you). These major racing series have only focused on the challenge of getting a national brand to support this race and the series will say, "man we have something here." Look this is nowhere in the truth, of the sponsorship game at all. Ask me why I know this? Well I know this because I see that the stands are empty. They have been empty for years. National brands do not sell tickets. They do pay for TV time. Yes they might move a few thousand tickets for that race. A national racing series might say this to me, “Jim it is really up to the promoters to promote the race, and generate the ticket sales. We only bring the drivers and the race teams.” Yes they do have a factual statement there in what they would say. The promoters and race track owners pay a sanctioning fee to have the right to that particular race. Well; fans of motorsports; why would you come to a race that has no other incentive but just to watch a race? Fans; I know your very intelligent and can watch this race right in your living room on your flat screen TV, with all the fixings that you want right from your grocery store. Now no traffic, drunken fools, people screaming that they are the best fan of a certain driver you just can’t stand. Oh, my Lord I forgot to tell you about the parking nightmare. Now wait a minute; I want you to experience all of this wonderful action that I am explaining once or twice in your life time. Their is nothing in the world like the start of the Indy 500 with 33 cars coming down the main straight a way. These track owners have had a whole year to plan for this event. You think that these promoters would get a car dealer involved in giving away a free car to one of these diehard fans by just showing up in a contest all year. Or do you think for one lucky fan by filling out a form as these fans come in the gate might get there name drawled out of a hat box and wins $50,000.00. Seeing the fans name; on the jumbo tram live at the event, tied in with some sort of excitement. Fans winning the best deal yet; free pit passes by just coming to the race. I mean just the fans that come to the race. Fans can win by just coming to the race itself. What has happened to that kind of contest period? ( I know Indy is giving a car away this year, but where are the rest of the race track promotions from other races?) What happened to the local companies that want to support these fans and these local companies want to be known as a supporter of this grand race. Look no one will call these companies because racing has lost its focus on taking care of the fans. These race track owners have hired the new employee to tackle this action. It is called the college intern that might have been to a race with their dad or grandfather. Even worse than that a promotions department that had been told you have to focus on national accounts and leave the local accounts alone. When will the fans have had enough? Hello race track promoter’s families are spending more money on the local move house than you’re event? It is just easier watching that race on TV than going to your race. You have lost the atmosphere of great fan experience on all levels. The fans need something to get them out of the chair in the living room, and onto the race track. Yes race tracks throughout America that holds a national event will get the diehard fans that love to travel. Now the awakening comes now. The local people will come if you have something to offer them. The support of the local owned businesses; and the customers that these business owners have. These customers visit that business every week. Yes, hello; promoters of the racing world these small business owners do have a co-op advertising budget. Plus these co-op groups have very large advertising budgets. Plan your attack on the community with the big bang of a circus show. Get everyone involved, and now we will see the stands get full of wonderful supportive fans. Why do I care? I do love this sport, and feel it slipping away to people that don’t know how to relate to the people buying the tickets. Somehow these racing venues have forgotten about the local fans. I am not mad at anyone, I just want to state what I have seen over the last few years.

By;Jim Gandolf

Floyd Roberts is in "500 Miles the Book"

2011-11-03T09:07:00.000-07:00

Floyd Roberts (February 12, 1900 - May 30, 1939) is a former Championship Car racing driver from Jamestown, North Dakota. He won the Indianapolis 500 in 1938 with a record speed of 117.2 mph (188.6 km/h). He led for 92 laps. The following year, 1939, driving the same car, he was killed in a crash on the backstretch after hitting a wooden fence at near 100 mph (160 km/h). Roberts was the first former winner and defending champion of the race to have lost his life while competing. Indy 500 results
Starts(5);Poles(1);Front Row(2);Wins(1);Top 5(2);Top 10(2): In five starts at Indy this great driver had major control, until 1939 when Floyd Roberts lost his life because of an accident on the back straight a way of the Indy 500 during the 1939 five hundred mile race. I used to study and read about Floyd Roberts in the Thorntown, Indiana Library. When I was much younger and reading about racing, the Floyd Roberts story hit me hard. I started to talk to so many former drivers and the Indy old timers club and everyone said the Floyd Roberts was such a great man. I knew he would make a great guardian angel for the main character in my fiction novel. The thought of a driver that has passed away from and accident on a race track to come back as an guardian angel to a young driver. That thought came to me after a wonderful driver lost his life after hitting the second turn of the Indy 500 during practicing for the race. I was so sad over the loss of this driver. I started to study the drivers that have lost their life in racing over the years. The Lord in this story helps the dreams of young man to be a great race car driver, by supplying a great group of guardian angels to help Bobby Wright in his quest of driving in the Indianapolis 500 mile race.

Get the ebook for $5.99 and no waiting at all!

The first purpose-built for car racing circuits. Milwaukee?

2011-11-03T07:19:00.000-07:00

I ran across this information as I was putting together more research on motorsports. I was so disappointed with the Indy Car race this year when the fans in the Milwaukee area just did not show up for a great race. I know for a fact that the actual promotions for the race did not happen until two month before the race. Their was no interaction with local businesses at all. No grocery stores were involved, and no gas stations promoted this race at any level. No product branding and contest for free tickets, or heck not a thing but some radio and TV advertising a month or two before the race? I did grow up in Indiana with such an major thrill of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway so close to me. I have been in such a major excitement of information over Indy. So much news has been in play about the Indy 500 and the history. Well the Lord brought me to Milwaukee area for the reason of letting me know even a major fact in my motorsport quest. The Milwaukee Mile!
The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest motor racing track in the world, with racing being held there since 1903. It was not purposely built for motor racing, it started as a one-mile (1.6 km) horse racing track in the 19th Century.
From 1903 to 1914, a one-mile dirt oval track was run on Brunots Island, just south of Pittsburgh on the Ohio River. Louis Chevrolet won the AAA Champion car in 1905. On September 10, 1907, Rex Reinersten was fatally injured in a crash here. In 1916, Chevrolet won the first Universal Films Trophy at the mile and an eighth Uniontown Speedway board track,. south of Pittsburgh in Hopwood, PA.
A remaining section of the Brooklands track today.
Brooklands in Surrey, England, was the first purpose built motor racing venue, opening in June, 1907.[7] It featured a 4.43 km (2.75 mi) concrete track with high-speed banked corners. Brooklands was also a centre of the aviation industry, with Vickers setting up a factory and aerodrome there during World War I. The racing circuit was closed in 1939 as war-time aircraft production took over. Damage done to the track during World War II meant the track never reopened for racing.
Competition gradually spread to other parts of the British Empire. The first competition in India was held in 1905 by the Motor Union of Western India. It ran from Delhi to Mumbai, (Delhi-Bombay trials 1905) a distance of 810 miles (1,300 km) in an attempt to expose India to the automobile and test its suitability for Indian conditions. Lord Curzon, the Viceroy, gave his consent to the event.

Jim Gandolf
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references: 1.^ ":: The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India ::". Fmsci.in. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
2.^ The Motor – Google Books. Books.google.co.in. 2009-05-13. Retrieved 2011-08-08

500 Miles the Book by: Jim Gandolf (content)

2011-11-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

I have to say that over the years I have wondered; what drives a race car driver even with the danger that can happen at any given time. Whether it is a race itself or practicing for the best speed. Can you even believe emotions; as you are putting your son or daughter in that car; and not knowing if that would be the last time you would be looking into their eyes? The pain of being a race fan over the years has had me do a lot of research on this very subject. I never wanted to be a race car driver; I have found my play in the racing world. I have interviewed many retired drivers, back when these drivers really had no safety to speak of. What is inside of these drivers whose minds are very strong in what they feel that they were safe for their time? Some of these drivers drove fuel bombs in reality. I wrote a fictional story of three former drivers that passed away at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in very traumatic crashes. These drivers come back later in time as a guardian angels to a young man growing up in Indiana. This young man becomes a race car driver. The time frame is the most powerful time in Indy Car racing. The 1970’s though the 1980’s. There was only one powerful race each year in this time frame in Indianapolis. The vision of this young man going back in time to when the race track was built to the first Indy 500 in 1911. The dreams of a young man to follow him to his fist race, and though his driving career. Love of his family, and the support of his friends.
Jim Gandolf

Dan Wheldon 1978-2011

2011-10-19T06:57:00.000-07:00

May the Lord touch his soul with open arms.

May we all pray for his family, friends, partners, and fans.

May we pray for that each trauma in racing that the officials learn something major out of this. Yes I am a major fan, investor of the future of open wheel racing. I am a fan of racing over all. I will pray for the Dan Wheldon family with the bag pipes playing in the background. From our team of people; may the Lord bless you Dan in your new home. Death is racing is not talked about at all, but yes I do talk about it. I love the sport and the drivers very much. Saftey is on my mind at all times. Saftey is on the the minds of all officails in all forms of motorsports. I want to thank the Lord for blessing us with such a gentleman as Dan Wheldon.

Tony Marks Racing Ends Inaugural ARCA Season On High Note

2011-10-19T06:24:00.000-07:00

Tony Marks Racing Ends Inaugural ARCA Season On High Note

TOLEDO, Ohio (October 19, 2011) - - Tony Marks Racing (TMR) started the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season strong and they ended the season in the same fashion as the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team earned yet another top-10 finish in Sunday’s Federated Car Care 200 at Toledo Speedway with development driver Jared Marks.

With a two-car entry in place, the odds were doubled for the organization to have success. Jared Marks, the Napoleon, Ohio native was returning to the wheel in No. 8 Terry Henricks Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep / Ram Dodge Charger and female sensation Maryeve Dufault in the No. 12 Mad Croc Energy / Dodge Motorsports / Tony Marks Racing Dodge Charger. Marks entered the season on the heels of a career-best fourth place finish in his most recent start at Salem (Ind.) Speedway. Dufault making her second Toledo Speedway start and on the momentum of a commendable solid top-20 finish the week before at Kansas Speedway.

With the United States Auto Club (USAC) sharing Saturday with the ARCA Racing Series at Toledo Speedway, practice which was normally run as one session would now be combined into two forty minute-efforts. Mounting the fourth and 10th place positions in each practice respectively, Marks and his TMR entry were optimistic about qualifying.

In qualifying, Marks posted the seventh quickest lap picking up the pace considerably.

Unfortunately, teams returned to the ARCA-owned racetrack on Sunday under gloomy skies and consistent rain showers. Ultimately, the start of the contest would be pushed-back nearly two hours before the command to fire engines was given. ARCA would choose to utilize the 35-car starting field to finish the track drying process throwing both the green and yellow flags simultaneously for the first 40 circuits of the contest. With the yellow flag retracted and the green “officially” given to the field, TMR had already experienced its fair share of misfortune.

Despite running at slower speeds, both drivers were forced to bring their machines respectively to pit road for separate engines issues which included a carburetor change for Dufault and an examination for Marks. After review, it was determined that Marks would have to settle with just seven cylinders for the remainder of the ARCA Racing Series event.

Now under routine green flag conditions, both drivers had their work cut out for them. The main objective for both teams was to try and thunder their way towards the front of the pack. Despite not fully up to par, Marks hustled his way through the field and utilize some pit strategy which not only put the rising star back in the hunt – but also inside the top-10.

In fact, Marks found himself battling with cars with full horsepower but the rookie’s determination behind the wheel made up for the disadvantage underneath the hood and he was able to mount a 10th place finish in a green-white-checkered finish.

“We had our work cut out for us, but we made the best of it,” offered 17-year old Marks. “We really didn’t have any indication about the motor, it just happened all of a sudden. As a team though, we still knew that we had a good handling car, so we just had to use push it all race long. I want to thank everyone from Terry Henricks Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep / Ram Dodge Charger and of course Dodge for jumping aboard this weekend and for crew for their efforts in times of doubt.

Car owner and Ohio entrepreneur Tony Marks offered his insight on the final race of the season. “We definitely had some ups and downs, but we made the best of it. Jared did a great bouncing back from something completely out of his control and Maryeve continued to strengthen her short track skills by finishing the race. We’ll regroup and plan to return to the circuit bigger and better than ever in 2012.”

A separate release relating to Maryeve Dufault’s overall performance of the Federated Car Care 200 at Toledo Speedway will be issued in the immediate future.

Next up for the ARCA Racing Series is the 2011 championship banquet which is set for Saturday, December 10th at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Ky., near Cincinnati. The top-20 drivers and top-10 owners and drivers will be recognized for their participation in the series this year.

Chris Knight

"500 Miles The Book" by, Jim Gandolf

2011-09-20T07:15:00.000-07:00

Racing automobiles has been very serious since the time automobiles have been created in our world. The life of a race car driver is very difficult to understand. It’s the challenge of being the first in a series of cars, with the same starting point. The drivers are accompanied by a team of people to make the adjustments to the car and the team owner to fund the operation. Now; I have to think back in time to the start of organized racing and notice that safety was not on the minds of everyone involved. Race car drivers, race team members, fans, and racing officials have lost their lives over racing. My thoughts are on the subject; first of all knowledge of all elements of surprise on a race track can be very horrific at times. The car and driver crash into something or another; with all the parts and pieces flying all over the race track; with the car tumbling down the race track. Then the driver gets out of the car, and then the fans stand up and cheer with joy that the driver is just fine. Now I am talking about the times that the driver doesn’t get up. The dead silence before everyone starts to ask? “Is the driver ok?” That is what I felt was traumatic as a young man. The danger of the sport before safety wasn't a concern at all. I have written a story of a young man that can communicate with some of the drivers that have passed away on the greatest race track the world has ever known. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The drivers that have passed on in life do to racing car accidents on that race track. I wrote them in as guardian angels to a young man. Then the young man in this story has become a very good race car driver. “500 Miles The Book” by Jim Gandolf. $12.95 click here!

The Door

2011-08-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

The Door

By Jim Gandolf

You can be just sitting there staring at a colorful door. Now I say to you the color of the door does not matter at all. Neither does the door handle. You can just sit there for hours looking at this creative door, the glass work, and the size of the door. The chair or the bench is as nice as the door; that you are sitting on looking at the door. How did that door get there and place it self-right in front of you. Is the door opportunity or just another failure that could happen to you as soon as you open that door? The problem is that you just don’t know what is on the other side of that door; until you open the door and walk through and experience the other side of the beautiful door. There are two options to the other side of that door. 1. Is success is through that door. 2. Failure is on that other side of the door. I know you just can’t peak through and see; you have to open the door and walk on through to the other side of the door.

Now I will get to the meat of what I am saying very strongly right now. In life we have many doors that come our way. My suggestion to you is pray before you walk through that door. Ask the Lord for guidance as you walk through that door. You can just sit there and admire the door. There is no shame in that at all, but a crime in your destiny. Our doors have come and gone in life. But what are you going to do with that beautiful door right in front of you right now? If failure happens to you one more time in life as you decide to get up and go on through the door. Just pay attention to what you failed on in the process, so you can achieve a better understanding of the knowledge of the whole process. Pray to the Lord to help you understand his messages to you in the process. Your door will come back over and over. It just will have a different size and color. I am not selling any doors at all in this short note to my friends. I am selling to you all the failures I have had to overcome in life to be at peace with failure but understand that success is all so much closer to every step I take through those door that keep showing up. I do win with some doors, and lose with some doors. I never stop trying to open the door. Each door is a challenge, and each door I ask the Lord for help.

Jim Gandolf 8/6/11

It’s your Race Team!

2011-06-21T08:08:00.001-07:00

I want to express to everyone in racing that the only way to achieve sponsorship is by planning out each step. The name on the car; just doesn’t cut it at all. Each race is so important to express the power of the sponsorship. Some race teams tell me all the time. “If we just had the funds as that major race team that we are competing against; we can compete!” That is not the fact at all. It is all about you; who do have on your team? Who are you hiring to be on your team? Who is putting the car together? Who is part of the pit crew? Who is in charge of hospitality? Yes you have to take care of the people that give you money at all times. How much is the team owner putting into the team with; a tie in to the funds of the sponsor? You just can’t rely on sponsors to pay for your sport if you are the team owner. What makes a team owner at all at that point, if you can’t pay for the survival of your team in transition? That means when you lose a sponsor. Keep your team mates out of the finances at all times. That is why you should have an accountant. You should have an attorney for every piece of paper you sign, if you don’t budget that you will become a fan instead of a team owner. Gossip has become a major part of racing; make sure you stay clear of all the people that say drama about other people that are in no way true at all. When you look at all the process to become the team owner in motorsports; it is very simple. Just pay the fees of whatever racing league, and you’re a team owner. Then pick your leaders (Team managers, crew chief, marketing personnel, and support staff). Now you should look at the best driver out there for your team. Don’t look at the guy that is paying for the ride at all. Look at the person that can drive under your development of becoming a team owner(crash damage can be a nightmare, plus you never know what drivers will say about your efforts to the media when the driver is live on an interview). The people that start the gossip about other people get rid of as fast as they came into your company. I know one company in Wisconsin that asked me about “Why the IRL doesn’t like their company at all?” Well I suppose it is because during the major open wheel split; that particular company that asked me that question; it is because of all the gossip this company caused during that major split. If you’re a new team owner stay away from things you can’t control. You can’t control what old racing league fights. That goes across the board. Each racing sanctioning body has a major marketing director that will help you with what companies can be on your car. Make sure you actually read your rule book for whatever racing league you join for your budget. This should be your bible for the racing league you join; all the rules are in that book. Make sure you attack each race that you are in with all aggression. Have the best media person on contract; make sure that person does their job at all times at the track. It is vital that the media knows all about your efforts with your driver and race team. Your marketing team blankets the area with great sales for the town you will be in, and have reports to each fact. Major sports teams outside of racing can’t just walk in and pay a fee and start a sports team like you can. Other sports have to go through some sort of committee or financial board of directors before any chance of you owning any sports team at all. Racing is very different; if you have the money, you have a race team. Your race team should be built on the bases that was set on the values that your primary business was set on in the first place; to get you in the position of funding your race team to start with. Stay low key until you hit full stride; and get on the race track, and qualify for your first race.
Jim Gandolf

500 Miles the Book is out!

2011-06-10T16:07:00.001-07:00

I want to thank the people that helped me finish this book "500 Miles The Book", This has been a very long process. This process has been just over seven years. People at church,and some of my friends from high school helped me all the way. I have selected www.lulu.com, because of the support that company gives first time writers like myself. From the United States Copyright Office, to Bar Code Graphics, Inc; that helped me get the ISBN to even sell my book on www.lulu.com. To the design team of Jennifer Townsend, and support of great editors. The process that takes two to three weeks of distributed to Bowker, Nielsen and Lightning Source. That process is going on right now, from the team at www.lulu.com. Yes this was my choice to become an independent publisher after a great process thought out by a true friend from grade school that; I trust. Yes this book has been out since 6-7-2001; and we have great sales at this point. I have had comments that www.lulu.com is not a real company, and that someone lost their mind, and started attacking my web sites. My thoughts are this: Go and write your own book,and get everything done the way you want to. I would never bash you at all. Even though your IT address has been shown, and you have truly lost it. This book was written for my friends, fans of racing, family, and fans of fiction. I just liked the story that was in my mind; and wrote the thing down, with years of research. Yes my grammar is not so good at all. But yes I have great editors. I am very happy that the book is selling. I am very thankful that we went this route. I want to thank once again to all the people that are actually buying the book, and purchasing the instant downloads on the book.

Thank You

Jim Gandolf

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway

2011-06-07T09:22:00.001-07:00

I thank the Lord for letting me grow up in the State of Indiana. On the west side of Indianapolis; around 34th and Georgetown Rd. This area was full of life one month a year. That month was the month of May. I lived two years in Port Washington, Wisconsin. I finished high school at Northwest High School in 1984. At that time at the speedway their was only one very powerful race per year. I know a few friends from Indianapolis, Indiana; would have played kick the can inside the race track with me. You could hear the winds blow with sounds that you would never hear anywhere else! I look forward to every month of May. Even though the night sounds of the speedway are very powerful to the chills that can shoot through your body. This 500 mile race is still even today the greatest race on earth. Why? History cures all fears of failure, family traditions that span time over the facts of each year drivers; and teams try to be the lucky one that can win here at that race track. Yes I do support some teams, and root for the underdog, but I always will cheer for AJ's team. LOL. I know that family and friends mean so much to the traditions at the speedway for now over 100 years. Thank you for the founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the Tony Hulman Family for the careful thought of inspiration that over the years have given me the drive to sit down and write about this wonderful race.
By: Jim Gandolf "500 Miles The Book"

500 Miles The Book by, Jim Gandolf

2011-06-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

Click here for sales information!

Wheldon’s No. 98 William Rast-CURB/Big Machine car

2011-05-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

After getting rave reviews and solid ratings for his hosting stint on “Saturday Night Live” in May, the singer and actor had another reason to celebrate on Sunday when his sponsored race car won the Indianapolis 500.

The singer’s clothing line William Rast, which he started with longtime friend Tracy Ayala in 2006, sponsored driver Dan Wheldon. Wheldon outpaced 32 other cars to the finish line to take home the top prize on Sunday. This was the second win for Wheldon, 32, who last won the Indy 500 in 2005.

“What a Memorial Day weekend! The William Rast car just won the Indy 500,” Timberlake Tweeted on Sunday. He later added, “Congrats to Dan Wheldon, the WR racing team and everyone else who put in the hard work for this victory! Unreal!”

Last week, the singer scored major ratings for his return to the “Saturday Night Live stage” with musical guest Lady Gaga. According to the network, the episode was the highest rated season finale since 2004, when the Olsen twins hosted.

Mike Curb has been sponsoring cars since 1979; and now has a win at the Indianapolis 500 mile race! Look what a great finish.

Jim Gandolf

Indy's 100th Year

2011-05-31T06:48:00.000-07:00

I am looking at this last month of events at the most famous race track in the world and was very impressed at all of the action. I never talk about the parade at all, but this year the parade was very grand. I was so worried that the race it self would of been the same ol action at the end of the race. Let me tell you this was not the case at all. If you didn't see the race, well you missed it. Someone was on the last lap and then the spotter must of started to head down to the winners circle and left the driver out there as a rookie! Well Dan Wheldon was not a rookie and knew the race was not over until you cross the start finish line and the checker flag was a waving at you. Look can you even think the ending of the race would of been that dramatic? Parnelli Jones; I believe won the 50th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 mile race at IMS; in the car number 98 with a very great promoter and car owner J.C. Agajanian was the best car owner and race promoter of all time. Now I can say that Dan Wheldon won the 100th Anniversary running of the Indianapolis 500 miles race in car number 98 ! Look the Lord loves a good clean race; and on Sunday in the smack middle of the the State of Indiana, would you of thought that there would of been such a race at all? On the fact that Panther Racing let Dan Wheldon go; and the driver they replaced Dan Wheldon with wrecked on the last lap of the race! Then Dan Wheldon crossed the start finish line as the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 winner in with an under budget race team and was fired at midnight after winning the 500!Wow! Yes world that is what we saw on Sunday the 29th of May 2011. Dan Wheldon earned $2,567,255 from an overall purse of $13,509,485 for his victory in the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Dan Wheldon won in car number 98! This was not a power house team and some major car owners to spoil the end of the day fans. This is the race that the world wanted to see.

Jim Gandolf

Pennzoil Ultra - Ferrari

2011-05-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

Desperation in sponsorship ! Why ?

2011-05-02T11:48:00.000-07:00

Look people to find a sponsor out their in the real world you have to build a relationship with certain companies that you can create money for them. Do not call companies that all ready sponsor some other team! Go out their in the world and start you own deal. Look at all the people that you know, and how you could help them, tie that knowledge into an outline. Then start to plan the profit center for your race team. Don't trust anyone until you have the process to make money down on paper and can test the process. Look to many people out say, " All I need is the funds of a major race team, and we can compete!" Are you kidding me? You have had resources all along to get this financial process rolling down the right track to success. Look how all of your knowledge in your own world can achieve success in racing. Look you need funding in racing, that is a major fact of the sport. Build your own brand of product and get the manufacture behind you at all levels of product placement. You look crooked; by calling companies that sponsor other teams, and ask the sponsor if they are happy? Get a grip people; that are in racing. Go after a plan that who ever you get involved in the sport, and that plan should be the success of building a brand of great sales and success on all levels. You race team will not cry the money blues. Now this process does take time on all levels for success. This is not a fast payout. The proper planning and commissions schedules do take time. So does planning the best racing environment for your team and driver. Don't sit their and plan for some broke driver to come along with a one shot deal to get in a race car. You'll end up broke in a few weeks. How do you build a building without a blueprint? The same is with race teams. Focus on all funding opportunities around you at all times. Build good companies around you at all times on all levels. It's up to the race team and the drivers to make branding work for all levels in racing. The fans win, and so does the sport.

By: Jim Gandolf

Billy Bignotti 1956-2005

2011-04-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

To think about the world of motorsports, on my mind is the one man that help e very much as a kid. I want to talk about Billy Bignotti the son of George Bignotti. Now the public knows about George Bignotti(the famous Indy Crew Chief that has won so many Indy car races). The process of thought in my first meeting with Billy. I was at Northwest High School as a senior in the early spring. I just left my fathers in Wisconsin and came back to Indiana to finish high school with my best friends (The West-siders, Kenny, Rick, and all the Space Pioneers). I was jogging down 34th street and heading to the Short Stop Convenience store to get a snack. Well out of John Henry's Pub come out a guy that almost knocked me over and I bounced into a car. This guy was Billy Bignotti, that almost knocked me over. Billy said, "Hey man, you ok?" That started a crazy ride in my life in motorsports. Now Johnny Parsons, Jr was a great neighbor of mine and always kept me informed about racing ( I went with Jp to see his win in the Hut 100 in the late 70's. I always had Norm Hall as well to keep me updated. Billy was on the inside, a mechanic for his Dad's team Cotter-Bignotti(The Texaco car). Now I knew that across the street is a girl that I liked, and did not want her to see me that I almost had fallen. Billy took me many time to the Indy 500, I cleaned engine parts for Billy, here and there. The 1983 Indy 500 was a time for Billy Bignotti to shine. Now Billy and I did not know at the time that his team would win Indy that year. At that time in my life I was real sad because my grandmother was sick and I just could not understand her at all when she tried to talk to me. My grandmother passed away later that summer. Billy Bignotti introduced me to so many people in racing that Month of May 1983. I watched the car roll into victory lane and how excited that team was. Tom Sneva was now a winner of the Indianapolis 500, and George and Billy Bignotti was a big part of the win. Billy Bignotti has done well in motorsports over the years, and had a bad spout with life challenges, and that took his life in 2005. I have had many talks with George Bignotti over the years, George is a great man that has won so many races over his race planning over the years, but that day in 1983 Billy Bignotti was apart of a major winning team. I will never forget how much Billy at times help me with this sport of racing. I was a hospitality person for that team and Texaco for that year in 1983 and was 18 years old. Now the fact is that Tom Sneva did get his win at Indy from George Bignotti, and not Penske. Yes, Billy and I was so happy about that, and I think I bragged about that more than anyone. Billy almost won again in 1987 but the car stalled in the pits, and Big Al Unser won his fourth Indy 500. Billy Bignotti went on to help so many teams at the greatest race track in the world called the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but only had one win with his Pappa on the books. I sat down with George Bignotti in a Mobil Motor Oil Suite at Indy in 2007 and did not know Billy had passed way in 2005. George told me the sad news and as I sat there look at the main straight-away and conversing of old time with George and about his son. Billy I will keep praying for you and your family every-time I step onto a track. Things in life we can't explain, how such a talent can be taken away from us. Most of us know what took Billy Bignotti's life, and I am saving the grace of that family name to not talk about the why, but the joy of Billy's life for this 100 years at Indy.

Jim Gandolf