Brian Olatunji a 15 year drag racing veteran has competed in a variety of NHRA categories from Super Gas to Top Alcohol Funny Car. 2012 will mark the year Brian O will look to make his mark in IndyCar’s Indy Lights division. In addition to drag racing he has his sights set on the Firestone Freedom 100 (during the Indy 500) and Chevrolet Belle Isle Grand Prix events. “I know competing in the Indy Lights series is an evolutionary step in my racing career. Of course drag racing will always be my first love, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity I can’t turn down,” says Olatunji.
Champion Spark Plugs has a unique online video contest where contestants are judged on the following three criteria: Inspirational Quality (34%); Relevance to Theme/Best Depiction of a Champion (33%); and number of votes (33%). That’s where the fans come in!
“My team put together an AMAZING video that chronicles our quest for a championship! Your votes will be the driving force to make this dream possible. I need you to vote for my video,” said an energetic Olatunji!
Brian O has ambitions to compete in the Indy Lights events at the Firestone Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2012 and the Chevrolet Belle Isle Grand Prix in Detroit on June 3, 2012. In addition he and the Leadfoot Motorsports team are finalizing their NHRA drag racing plans. “My team and I are excited and really looking forward to the challenges of IndyCar and winning races in the NHRA,” stated Olatunji!
On a clear Detroit morning, just one day after the U.S. Army’s 236th birthday, Brian Olatunji took flight with the Golden Knights. It was a long wait for Brian O, who was previously scheduled to jump with the U.S. Army’s Parachute Team last fall until the worst Midwest storm cell in over 30 years kept the plane and Brian O’s skydiving ambitions grounded.
The Golden Knights is the U.S. Army’s official aerial demonstration team. Made up of real Soldiers the team travels around the United States performing demonstrations at major events connecting the Army with the American people. Taking Brian O on his wild ride were members of Team Tandem, who have jumped from a plane with everyone from former president George H. W. Bush to sports stars and actors such as Tiger Woods and Chuck Norris. Ensuring Brian’s enjoyment and safety on his aerial adventure were Airborne Rangers SSG Aaron Figel and SSG Reese Pendleton. After taking off from Selfridge Air Force Base, SSG Figel freefell with Brian O while SSG Pendleton caught all the action on camera. With Lake St. Claire as a backdrop Brian O and the Golden Knights free feel thousands of feet towards Michigan below.
Brian O was thrilled at the opportunity, “Exhilarating is the only way to describe the experience! Certainly something I would do again in a heartbeat! The Golden Knights are the best in the world and their professionalism is second to none. After all, SSG Pendleton hung outside of the aircraft like passenger 57 and was able to capture my enthusiasm and experience while free falling from 14,000 feet above the earth. Awesomeness!!!”
Fort Knox, KY - 50 mph wind, torrential rain and the largest clustered fall storm pattern in the Midwest since 1977 kept Brian Olatunji grounded from his madden voyage with the U.S. Army Golden Knights. When presented with the opportunity to jump from a perfectly good airplane and plunge to the earth at up to 180 mph Brian O quickly jumped at the chance. “This has always been on my bucket list and doing it with the best in the world is going to be incredible,” said Olatunji. “I’m humbled to be a representative for our Army and honored for this opportunity! To say I’m excited is an understatement! Terminal velocity 14,000 feet up is my goal!”
Along with U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Dailey, Brian O made the trek from Michigan to Fort Knox, KY to the Army post where the nation’s vault and gold are located. Unseasonably warm weather greeted them upon arrival Monday afternoon; however Mother Nature did not stay kind as the weather made a complete 180 in the days to follow. Due to the Midwest super-storm the excursion and lifetime experience has been put on ice for NHRA U.S. Army driver Brian O.
“Although I’m a bit disappointed, it was great getting up to speed on the different facets of skydiving and competitive jumping. Interacting with the Knights (who are Army Soldiers) was definitely the highlight. Their world is very fascinating and has some of the same attributes as strapping into one of the fastest hot rods on the planet. I’m looking forward to getting the call to fall from the sky again, however this time I’ll have to have a one-on-one with Mother Nature beforehand. Now if only I could arrange for a tour of the treasury itself…. Hmmmm,” joked Olatunji.
Together with the forceful winds, atmospheric pressures were at Category 3 Hurricane levels. Although up for the challenge both Brian O and the Golden Knights knew they were no match for the strongest non-costal storm in the history of the United States.
