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Blog Archive
July 3rd, 2009 in Blog by Brian Olatunji
Moooovin’ on up… toooo, the east side! Taken from the intro to the old television sitcom “The Jeffersons.” That’s how I felt after our most recent event this past Friday, July 3rd. We improved our qualifying position from the previous event by two spots to #14 from #16. I am excited about the potential performance of our hot rod given we improved our position in both qualifying and the points chase with not only one but two broken throttle pedals. I suppose I had to earn my “Leadfoot” moniker at the race track by some antic. Obviously unplanned but a reality no less the first of two throttle pedals was broken during the first qualifying pass. I knew something was wrong during the run with the throttle assembly when the car stopped accelerating down track. Upon investigation after I got out of the hot rod on the big end my assumptions were true. My crew immediately went to work on the damaged pedal where I notoriously broke the welds on the pedal assembly to find a tig weld for repair. Thank God for our friends at Skinny Kid race cars who where on site with their hot rod who made the necessary repair. Given the time to repair the pedal we missed our second qualifying opportunity which left only one shot at making the field. With the hot rod repaired all the pressured rested on my shoulders to make a pass quick enough to earn a spot in the sixteen car field.
As the RPM’s soared during the burnout during my final qualifying attempt so did my confidence that I was poised to lay down a lap to garner a place in the field. I took the green light and everything felt great until I got to the 330’ marker and not only did the rpm’s drop but so did the throttle pedal once more. So I took a glance at the gauges and I knew there was only one thing to do… Keep my foot in it! After all I did not want to explain to our partners that we missed the show. After the pass I was a bit disappointed in the second throttle pedal failure. I guess you can not only call me “Leadfoot” but also Fred Flintstone as I tried to put my feet through the floorboards to assist the hot rod down the track at a quicker pace.
My disappointment subsided once I returned to my pit area only to find out we had in-fact made the field and were qualified #14. The ups and downs continued as my team scrambled to repair the broken throttle pedal once more only to run out of time. Therefore we missed the call for first round eliminations. I guess you can say all is fair in love and war. One thing I can assure you is the throttle pedal will be virtually indestructible from here on out, but then again even the Titanic was suppose to be unsinkable. lol
This time our travels home were uneventful and welcome unlike the events which took place with our trailer on the way home from our first event. Tomorrow is America’s holiday, July 4th and I’m looking forward to spending time with the family. Our next event is the 31st of July at Milan Dragway and I hope to see you there. Until then… Live Fast, Drive Hard!!!
Tags: Brian O, Brian Olatunji, Detroit, Fourth of July, Fred Flinstone, Heads Up, Holiday, Leadfoot Media, Michigan, Milan Dragway, Pepsi, Qualifying, Race, Skinny Kid, The Jeffersons, Throttle Pedal
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June 6th, 2009 in Blog by Brian Olatunji
Actually I mean that literally. So, I’m exhausted riding shotgun on the way back from our first event of the season and my Uncle pulls over for fuel. Seems normal, right? Well, stay tuned. He knocks on my window where my head is braced and says, “B, the trailer tire is gone!” Of course I think I’m dreaming considering I’ve just dosed off and been up for almost 46 consecutive hours. As I awake he mentions again, “B, you won’t believe this. The Wheel is GONE!” At this point I recognize this is definitely not a dream. So I exit the truck only to see that not only is the wheel gone; but also the brake assembly, wheel and tire as well as the studs which the wheel bolt to. Through my exhaustion and disbelief that we’ve been barrowing down I-94 with 10,000 lbs of equipment at about 65 mph for almost an hour I break into a hysterical laugh. In fact we both do. I mean this scene could have been a real catastrophe. Needless to say I know the man above was watching out for us. No worst for wear we limped our three l egged dog home and had this unbelievable story to gain from. And to answer your question, NO! We never found the “whole” wheel assembly or any parts of it for that matter and couldn’t tell you where it decided to “dip out” from the trailer. Lol.
Yes, we qualified the Pepsi ride! Just snuck into the field #16 but we still made the show. For our first time out in two years we accomplished our goals for the event and managed to get a story and a few pictures for the scrap book as well! Now that it’s racing season I expect to see you all out at our events. Right now, sleep is beyond necessary so check back soon for updates. Until then… Live Fast, Drive Hard!
Tags: Brian O, Brian Olatunji, Detroit, Funny, Heads Up, Leadfoot Media, Michigan, Milan Dragway, Pepsi, Qualifying, Tire, Trailer, Wheel Assembly
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May 19th, 2009 in Blog by Brian Olatunji
My Vice President Ian Moore, crew chief Uncle Johnny and I have been burning both ends of the candle lately getting ready for the season. As exciting as it is to sign a new major partner there is twice the amount of work to update everything. From vehicle, trailer, and golf cart graphics — to new crew apparel, pit art, autograph cards and a completely new website among other things there is much to finish prior to our first event of the season June 5th at Milan Dragway.
Those items are only on the marketing side. I am also working with our crew on a new engine combination which should allow us to be more competitive from the onset. I also need to ensure all of our support equipment (i.e. truck, trailer) is ready for the season ahead as well as order parts from our many supporters. We’ll receive rubber from Toyo Tires, lubricants from Lucas Oil, apparel from Vicci, parts from Jeg’s and safety equipment from Bell. We are pleased to welcome back each of these companies and look to continue to be apart of their marketing portfolio. North Channel Graphics will again adorn our hot rod. From the looks of our recently finished Leadfoot Media car renders it will be one bad ass looking Pepsi race car. The arrivals are always an exciting time for me as I anticipate the season and see the plan coming together! We also upgraded a litany of safety items on the hot rod by way of a trip to Skinny Kid race cars for a funny car roll cage upgrade.
I’m always amazed at how my corporate experience correlates to our racing program. With the need to ensure we meet our objectives tight timing is not only developed but kept and the only way we can guarantee success. We are now only weeks away from the season opener and things are coming together pretty good. Of course there are always obstacles. To quote my favorite rapper Jay Z, “difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week!” In the meantime I have to get back to the grind… See you at the races soon. Until then… Live fast, Drive hard!!!
Tags: Bell Racing, Brian O, Brian Olatunji, Detroit, Heads Up, Ian Lewis Moore, Jay-Z, Jeg's, Leadfoot Media, Lucas Oil, Marketing, Michigan, Milan Dragway, North Channel Graphics, Partnership, Pepsi, Safety, Toyo Tires, Vicci Apparel
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April 17th, 2009 in Blog by Brian Olatunji
Ta Da — we’ve signed Pepsico.
Yep, you read it right my team and I will represent Pepsi for the upcoming 2009 NHRA drag racing season. As excited as I am, the first order of business it to congratulate my team for their dedication and focus leading up to this ground breaking announcement for our program. I also want to take a moment to thank the fans for standing by us in the past with all of our previous marketing partners. I’m sure you all will continue to show love to our partners. As I hope you know without you this isn’t possible and your support is the only way to continue to build our program into a championship contender. We are more than looking forward to representing Pepsi and adding value to the brand. Now on the flip side, we’ve got quite a bit of work to do in preparation for the impending season. Check back soon… Until then… Live Fast, Drive Hard!!!
Tags: Brian O, Brian Olatunji, Leadfoot Media, Partnership, Pepsi
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February 18th, 2008 in Blog by Brian Olatunji
Although I don’t smoke I somewhat think of the day we capture a “big” sponsorship deal as the time when I’ll exude mixed emotions. On one hand complete excitement and the exhilaration of conquering the initial business part of the equation. On the other hand, an anxious feeling of the unknown and the immediate realization of the task at hand…. ROI! Considering this game is very much about business, from the board room to the race track, back to the board room I think of the board room as my hot rod when not competing at the race track. This vehicle is very much exciting due to the immense competition for attention and the all important green back, although without a helmet and a uniform of a different persuasion from my sponsor laden fire suite.
When courting a perspective marketing partner my team and I tend to create full scale marketing initiatives. With these well laid plans we develop a relationship with our work which morphs into a full blown addiction. Although we enter each “perspective” opportunity with optimism, we also understand the likely hood of the deal moving from the perspective, to the actual realm.
In my estimation the act of “drag racing” articulates from the art of “gettin’ it done in the board room!” At times there is something to be desired when the “big wig” meeting concludes and other times there is euphoria. Albeit subdued the feeling of certainty at times enters the equation of uncertainty, and… well, all variables. Such was the case recently, where we all but signed on the dotted before our efforts were acknowledged with the ever-present “NO”. “Chasing deals” is comparable to looking for that elusive .01 of a second or 5 mph. Not impossible by any stretch of the imagination but hard fought where the victor gets to enjoy the bellowing smoke of a hand rolled stogie…
Until next time… Live fast, drive hard!!!
Tags: Brian O, Brian Olatunji, Drag Racing, Leadfoot Media, Marketing, NHRA, ROI
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July 16th, 2007 in Blog by Brian Olatunji
Wow, it’s been forever since I’ve addressed the millions of rabid fans awaiting my next post… O.K., I just woke from the dream that will some day be my life. However there have been many things which have transpired since my last rant. Some notable and others not so interesting. One of the biggest has been the lost of my really good friend Eric Medlen or EM as I use to call him. I’ve since thought many times how I should pay tribute to him here; however I felt the need to deal with his lost personally and pay homage to the life and spirit he left behind through my actions.
Speaking of things “lost” one of those for me is the innocence of the business realm of professional drag racing. I know, I know… I’m not a pro just yet, however the state of mind my team and me operate is that of a professional nature in every since of the word. I believe the only way to prepare for the unknown is to somehow put yourself in that position through observation (somewhat emulation) of those you aspire to compete with. Getting back to the lost innocence is my forward knowledge of what is actually required to step into the professional spotlight. These things include preparing my mind, body and spirit for the grind set to commence. Little things come to play such as getting proper rest and eating right while on the road. My day job has prepared me for this business of racing from the traveling aspect due to my hectic schedule and being out of town for countless weeks at a time. Realistically how is one to know this takes a toll on someone aspiring for racing glory when all you really wanted to do was drive a bad ass hot rod. In addition to this, dealing with multiple platforms of people as a manager at work is a warm up for the media and fans (whom I’m emphatic of) and will definitely prepare me for the next level when I catch “the dream.” This loss of innocence has its pro’s and con’s however it’s what I’ve grown accustom to and “the dream” is all I’ve ever wanted so I must prepare for the known and unknown and embrace the unexpected. Until next time… Live fast, drive hard!!!
Tags: Brian O, Brian Olatunji, Crash, Eric Medlen, NHRA, NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
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