As we prepare two cars to compete in the 91st running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, we are humbled by the magnitude of the experience, proud to be a part of the history and tradition of the world’s most famous race, and excited to have two great drivers and the best crew we have ever assembled. We are also overwhelmed and amazed by the camaraderie and support that our competitors in the paddock provided us when, on Saturday night, we were forced to rebuild a crashed race car and to get it qualified for the race in less than 24 hours.
Most everyone who has followed Playa Del Racing in our three years of competing in the Indy 500 is familiar with Jaques Lazier. He was our only driver in 2005, and he teamed with Roger Yasakawa as drivers of our two-car effort in 2006. Jaques is a professional in every way that term can be used. We trust that Jaques will be a great representative of Playa Del Racing in the board rooms of our sponsors, in the gatherings of race fans at the track or elsewhere, and, especially, in the cockpit of our IndyCar. Jaques will pilot the #21 Indiana Ice car next weekend in the race.
This year we added rookie Phil Giebler as a driver of our second car, the #31 Ethos Fuel Reformulator. Phil is a driver who has practiced his craft in various types of open wheel cars as he competed in multiple series around the world. Although he is a rookie at Indy, he comes to us with vast experiences in varied, highly-competitive racing series. We hired Phil to drive our IndyPro Series car at
When we hire drivers and crew members, hospitality staff, office and support staff members, we look for people whose approach to life is similar to ours…work hard, play hard, are kind and support one another.. We have assembled what we believe to be one of the best, most talented, and most experienced racing crews in the Indy Racing League. During this past week, we learned what we surmised, that, under pressure, our crew (our family) would come together to make the best of the toughest circumstances.
The Indy 500, and qualifying for it, places stress on its individual participants, that few others in life experience. As much as we try to downplay its importance, competing in the Indy 500 is the pinnacle event in the life dreams of every member of the team, and in one fleeting moment the chance to participate can be jeopardized, or terminated.
Last week our #31 team fought gremlins all week, found solutions and persevered. When it seemed the gremlins had been exercised from the car, we decided to make a qualification run. Three laps into a 220+ MPH qualification attempt, Phil and the car found the outside safer barrier and our dream, Phil’s dream, and the dreams of that entire crew, of competing in the 91st running of the Indy 500 was in serious jeopardy.
During the next twenty four hours we learned a lot about ourselves, the character of the individuals who make up our team (family), and the determination and professionalism of Phil Giebler.
Soon after the crashed car returned to our garage in the late afternoon, the entire PDR team began the task of disassembling the twisted suspension pieces, body parts and drive train. Every piece was examined and tested, and a list of parts required to rebuild the car was created. At the same time, as if by divine intervention, or by the deeds of angels of racers gone before us, the parts we needed started coming to us. Before we knew which parts we needed competitors, friends and well wishers appeared with the required bits. Sam Schmidt saw that our rear wing was destroyed and he and his team appeared with one. Ganassi racing, the owner of more Panoz parts than any other source, assured us that their “store” would be open all night for us. Andretti-Green, Rahal Letterman, and Chastain Motorsports all offered their help. And the first on the scene was the Indy Racing League offering to do all that could be done to give us an opportunity to get the parts we needed.
By the time the damaged parts were removed from the crashed race car, parts to rebuild it had appeared. Magical things have happened for years at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and last Saturday night, we were blessed by its magic.
To watch our crew disassemble and reassemble our car in the late hours of the night, and to have that car ready to go on the track by noon on Sunday was a feat to behold. We are so proud of that group of people and amazed by the tenacity in which they followed their passion, and the calmness with which they worked to keep from losing the opportunity to follow their dreams.
We thank God for Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful event, for the help and support that we received from our colleagues and competitors in the race, for the continuing support of our great sponsors and enthusiastic fans, and, most of all, for the inspiration and pride that comes from our association with a great group of teammates.
We humbly go forth to compete in the Indy 500 and to chase our dreams.
Susan Schafer & Gary Sallee
