Jul 07, 2010 - Eighteen Questions with Car 54 – Joe Farre’

 

 

1.    How many years have you been competing in the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series?  Prior to the SRL what other racing experience did you have?

 

I have been competing in the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series for five years now.  We competed on a part time basis for the first three years, and decided to go full time for the last two seasons.

 

Prior to the SRL I spent two years in the ASA Speed Truck Challenge, and before that I finished a 13 year career in the open wheel IMCA/Grand American Modifieds where we ran everything from ½ mile dirt tracks to ½ mile paved ovals.

 

 

2.    Coming from Henderson, NV to compete in the SRL requires a lot of travel for you and your team, why did you chose to be part of the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series?

 

Unquestionably, it is the competition level of the SRL that makes you want to step up and run with the best racers on the west coast.  After 20 years of dirt, asphalt and touring experience we needed a new challenge.  It was the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour that brought back those challenges and makes you raise your game, even after 20 years of competition.

 

 

3.    You stepped up your program at the end of last year with a new car, you’re currently in the top 10 in points after five events, are you satisfied with your results so far this year or were you hoping for more?

 

I think the whole team is pleased to see the progress that we have made over the past year.  However, we really feel like we’re just getting started.  We’ve faced a few gremlins in each of the first three races, and we continue to work hard to refine the program.  We really think there’s a lot more potential in the car and team, and we’re not ready to settle with our results yet.

 

4.    Coming from Henderson, NV, you obviously log a lot of miles getting to the SRL events, any interesting travel stories?

 

It never ceases to amaze me the power of race fans.  It seems that we run into a true race fan almost every time we make a stop along the way.

It’s pretty flattering when someone tells you that they remember watching you race dirt modifieds at the Placerville fairgrounds over 15 years ago.

It’s the race fans along the way that make those long trips bearable, and remind us why we do this.

 

 

5.    What do you enjoy most about running in the SRL?

 

I enjoy the competition level and camaraderie amongst the teams, drivers, and officials the most.  Even though you battle it out on the track with some of the best drivers in the west on a regular basis, or maybe even an official or two in the tech line, there isn’t one of them that wouldn’t lend you anything they have to help you get out onto the track.

 

There is an unbelievable respect and admiration amongst the drivers and officials that make this series special.

6.    How did you get started in this sport?

 

My father used to run the $99 claimers back in the 60’s at Petaluma Speedway.  He got me interested in racing at a young age and I was hooked from there.  I remember going to Petaluma Speedway, and even Vallejo Speedway to watch the hardtops race with my dad.  When I was young we would take my friends to the racetrack for my birthday parties instead of Pizza and Pipes.

 

 

7.    What other sports are you good at?

 

I played football in high school and Lacrosse back in college.  These days, I like to ski during the off-season.

 

 

 

8.    How do you relax?

 

I love camping and fishing.  There’s nothing more relaxing than being in the high sierra’s camping and fishing with your family. 

 

9.    Favorite activity away from the racetrack?

 

My favorite activity away from the racetrack includes anything that lets me spend time working hands-on with my two daughters.  They are competition swimmers and a lot of times our schedules conflict between races and swim meets.  So, anything that gives us time together makes my day.

 

10. One sport you would never try?

 

I couldn’t do bungee jumping or sky diving.  Just seems too dangerous to me.

 

11. Favorite racing moment?

 

My favorite moment in racing was spending time with my father racing before he passed away.  I’m so fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend the first seven years of my racing career working alongside my dad.  I wouldn’t give that up for anything.

 

12. Worst household chore?

 

I hate to cook.  I don’t know how I made it through college cooking for myself.

 

13. Who has made the most impact in your life?

 

My father made the most impact in my life.  He raised me “old-school,” with an appreciation for hard work and an honest work ethic. 

 

He taught me to appreciate the unique talents in all people, both young and old.  I’ve benefitted from those lessons, and trust me, there’s a lot of talent out there that supports our team…  You just have to be patient and respectful, and you’d be surprised at what people have to offer.

 

 

 

 

14. If you could chose anyone in the world to be your crew chief, who would it be?

 

I guess I’m supposed to choose a NASCAR superstar or something like that, but to be honest, there are few old-school characters out there that I’d like to spend the remainder of my racing career with.  I’ll let their names remain anonymous for now, but I respect these people greatly and I really enjoy working with them.  These are the real hero’s behind a lot of our success.

 

 

15. Most embarrassing moment in racing?

 

I was leading an IMCA race at Imperial Valley raceway when the yellow flag flew.  I couldn’t remember if the re-start line was at a fire extinguisher on the back wall, or if it was one of the stripes on the wall.  Needless to say, I picked the wrong one.  Let’s just say that I always know where the re-start line is now.

 

 

16. What pays the bills? Job/occupation?

 

I am the owner of Sigma Engineering Solutions, Inc., a small bridge and transportation engineering firm in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

 

I am a licensed professional engineer and specialize in bridge and structural design.

 

17. Words to live by?

 

Surround yourself with good people and good things will happen!

 

 

18. Racing goals for 2010?

 

Our goal for 2010 is to continue building our team and improve our finishes.  This has to be one of the most competitive years that we’ve faced in this series and a top five finish in any race says a lot about a team.

We’ll be focusing on consistency and those top five finishes.  We’ll let the points fall where they may, but if we can stay on task, I think we’ll have a great year.