Changing Lanes

For the last 25 years I’ve worked in the tech industry, at the same company, and it’s no understatement to say it’s made me who I am today. It’s the best education I could have asked for, and I’ve had the privilege to work with fantastic people on amazing products you’ve certainly heard of and probably use every day. But as a wise man once said—

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
- Ferris Bueller

When I think about who I want to be 25 years from now I realize the tech industry won’t get me there, so I’m retiring from tech and committing myself fully to my motorsports passion. Because as another wise man once said—

“If it doubt, flat out”
-Colin McRae

Realistically, I'm starting too late to become a professional racing driver. But a career in customer service, training, product and business development in one of the most demanding environments in tech has set me up, by accident, to help others start their motorsports journey early and on the right foot. I am pleased to announce Big Rock Racing School!

This is the beginning of an exciting new journey for me and while I can’t share all the details yet, here are the basics.

Big Rock Racing School will be an all-ages, all-levels, in-person sim racing school with an emphasis on pre-teen and early driver’s license holders. I believe that the skills developed on the race track, even a virtual one, make for safer, more engaged drivers on the road. The school will offer a full curriculum covering everything from the basics of how cars work to vehicle dynamics, car control to race craft. Interwoven throughout will be skills that are valuable in and out of the car, like sportsmanship, critical thinking, decision making, performing under pressure, physical fitness, resiliency, and more. Adults are also encouraged to enroll, solo or with their kids.

Sim racing is becoming the new entry point for those who are interested in a professional motorsports career. NASCAR Senior Director of Sim Racing Ray Smith told insider-gaming “But nowadays, you want to be in motorsports, go to the sim”. Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen competes in sim racing and partnered with Red Bull Racing in 2022 to bring virtual and real-world racing together. Similarly, I want to provide a local space for aspiring drivers young and old to meet, grow their skills, and form community.

I know not everyone has dreams of standing on top of the podium at the 24 Hours of LeMans. Most people have no idea what that even means, and that’s OK! At the heart of my vision is a family-friendly, unintimidating place to have fun, learn, and feed that need for speed we all have from time-to-time. You will be welcome for a 15-minute blast, a full season of hands-on instruction, or anything in between.

I will share more information in the weeks and months ahead. If you’re in the greater Seattle area and are interested in learning more for yourself or your kiddos then please let me know below. You’ll get the latest news delivered to your inbox and some very exciting early access benefits. If you’re still not sure what this sim racing thing is about then I encourage you to watch a few minutes of racing and send me any questions you may have.

Are you excited?! I’m excited! Thank you for reading!