Driver Spotlight
This week’s Spotlight Here in Time sits down with Sam Vulcheff, founder and Team Principal of Vulgoose Racing. We caught up with Sam ahead of this Sunday’s Formula Uno Grand Prix (not affiliated with Pizzeria Uno).
Spotlight Here in Time
Thank you for taking the time for this interview, Sam.
Sam
You’re four minutes late, but whatever.
SHT
You’re known for your composure. What’s the secret?
S
Preparation. Checklists. Preparation of checklists. Checklists for our preparation. Emotion doesn’t make the car faster.
SHT
What does?
S
Goose.
SHT
Let’s talk about the hairpin at Sebring.
S
We’re not going to talk about the hairpin. Or any hairpin. They know what they did.
SHT
At Sebring, you spent forty-seven minutes in pit lane.
S
The car needed work.
SHT
Goose said you spent the time chomping ten pieces of gum and power-chugging a Dubby.
S
I was refueling with our Official Fuel Partner. Put that in your article.
SHT
There were reports of an incident involving a headset.
S
The headset is fine. Durable product. Back in service. Honestly, it’s the most reliable member of this organization.
SHT
More reliable than your drivers?
S
The headset has never once told me it doesn’t know how to find a half second a lap.
SHT
You received the Formula Uno (not affiliated with Pizzeria Uno) Association’s Mr. Congeniality Award the month after your now-famous radio call to Race Control, when they called your car to tech inspection before your warm-up was finished.
S
I explained, politely, that we would be there when the warm-up was finished.
SHT
Goose remembers it differently.
S
Goose remembers a lot of things differently.
SHT
He says you used a bad word.
S
Were there other nominees for the award?
SHT
No. And the Association discontinued the award the following month.
S
So I’m undefeated.
SHT
Vulgoose finished in the top ten in its first-ever 24-hour race at Daytona. That’s quite an achievement for a rookie team.
S
Jake was the real superstar. And the pit wall.
SHT
Goose said it was you.
S
What was me?
SHT
That you were the real superstar.
S
Goose remembers a lot of things differently.
SHT
Anything you want to say to your fans before Sunday?
S
We’re prepared. We have a plan. We have a backup plan. Goose, if you’re reading this, both plans involve you being in the car on time.
SHT
Sam, thank you for your time.
S
Tell Goose he still owes me ten bucks.