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Q&A with Chief Engineer Tom Giangreco
Up to Team: Ridgefield Race Engineering
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RidgeField Engineering Speaks to the press
Grid Motorsport series racing has been a benchmark for speed, finesse, and
professionalism. It's where the best of the best combine science and the art of
racecraft to it's finest. In recent weeks there have been friendly rivalries
developing. None more apparent then that between Ridgefield Race Engineering
and Antares Racing.
Both teams are new and are looking to pin themselves as the premiere team.
Drivers, as well, have been staking their claim to the spotlight. Doug "can I
have some mayonnaise with that bread" Baggett has been attracting his fair share
of the spotlight. At Interlagos, Baggett had some words about the competition
only to find himself in a lagging fourth place. Most recently Doug has found
himself, once again, in a tussle of words with drivers from Ridgefield. Words
like "hacks" and brainwashed have been bantered about. The 2007D Grid Motorsports
World Championship has been had it's fair share of excitement.
We recently sat down with newly appointed Chief Engineer for Ridgefield Race Engineering Tom
Giangreco.
Welcome Tom and thank you for sitting in with us. It has definitely been an
interesting season.
Tom: Yes it has.
Q: You are defending 2nd place this season, yet you are in 7th. To what do you
attribute that to.
Tom: Simply put priorities. I mean my wife was screaming to have our bathroom
finished. Oh, and we had a baby. My team principal was aware of these personal
issues and they had no effect on my contract.
Q: You got a promotion, in fact.
Tom: Yeah. Do less work, for more money. It's every man's dream
Q: Antares has had a few things to say in public about Ridgefield. What are your
thoughts?
Tom: well, the drivers are fantastic people. We're really a family. You know
every family has their Pop Tarts and their Fruit Loops. Lucky Charms and such.
Some folks are fun to be around, while others you hope never show up for
Christmas. In our family of drivers, there are those who's mouths run faster then
their cars on the track. It can't be helped.
Q: Does it effect you?
Tom: Not at all.
Q: There's one driver in particular who has been the most critical.
Tom: True. It's all in good sport. No hard feelings. It's like around paddock I like to call him Bilbo Baggett. Or, sometimes we all poke his belly like the pilsbury dough boy and watch him grab his tummy and giggle. It's quite a show.
Q: Does he mind?
Tom: Does it matter?
Q: Do you have anything to say about any of the other teams?
Tom: I have a lot of respect for all the drivers and teams in the GMWC. They are all quite fantastic and supportive. I can't imagine having anything bad to say about them. The GMWC Council are great. They treat the drivers and the teams fairly and rule from on high with justice and charity.
Q: What about being made Chief Engineer?
Tom: I think it's a great privilege. Matt Steele approached me and said he needed someone to head some secondary testing he needed. Our team has added some great new drivers and he felt, in order to provide the support that the largest team in GMWC needed, moving me into engineering would take our bourgening team to the next level.
Q: Bourgening, is that a word?
Tom:
Q: Any special plans for next season?
Tom: The focus is on this season. We're focusing on where we are today. I look forward to competing on a Ridgefield chassis this season and into the future. It's a great team with a great car.
Q: Thank you again for taking the time with us today. Any final words?
Tom: Thank you. Yes. I'd just like to thank Matt Steele for taking the chance with me on his team, and thank the whole team for all their hard work. And <waves hand> You want to drive with Ridgefield.