Fall 2001

size

When Spencer Geswein reaches his ultimate career goal, he can chalk it up to his drive to succeed ... literally.

A 1993 mechanical engineering graduate, Geswein wants to drive full-time in a major auto racing series. Using a baseball analogy, his current status as a driver would be described as being in the farm league knocking on the door to play in the majors.

Geswein is off to a good start with consecutive wins in the One Lap of America race. He and his co-driver, Brian Smith, drove a Dodge Viper to victory in 2000, and again in 2001 beating 100 teams each year. "One Lap", as it is known, is a 4,000+ mile race which is the modern version of the "Cannonball Run." (Movie aficionados will remember the race portrayed in the 1981 Burt Reynolds movie of the same name.)

An annual endurance competition, the One Lap race takes place over seven consecutive days. Drivers travel to seven different racetracks to compete against the clock, scoring points for their finishes at each track. This year, the race started in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and moved to tracks in Michigan, Kansas, Texas, Georgia, and Virginia. One of the interesting features of the race is that teams must drive their race cars to the different competition sites. Everything they take must be in their race car.

"Unfortunately, there are no big purses for winning this race, but it is a great way to promote one’s self in automotive circles," Geswein explained. One of the perks is feature coverage in Car and Driver magazine (August 2000 and August 2001). "It’s a good way to advertise ourselves and promote our racing careers."

Geswein’s career has put him behind the wheel on 18 major racetracks and four proving grounds.

"We have experience in everything from streetcars to stockcars on road courses and ovals. We want to be at the top level of whatever series chooses us," Geswein said. He realizes that will be a tough feat. "The biggest challenge as a driver is getting your foot in the door. Being a no-name makes it difficult to break in and get opportunities. There are many drivers with significant talent who never get past this point. Money plays a big role. Fast, poor drivers abound; however, the key is being fast and bringing a sponsor to the show."

To help promote their dream, Geswein and Smith have formed a company called Full-Lock Industries Inc. (www.fulllock.com). Currently, operations focus on the Motorsports Division which provides race driving services, test driving services, chassis consulting, personal driving instruction, and some design and fabrication work.

All good dreams have some basis in reality and to that end, Geswein has kept his day job. But why shouldn’t he? He is a test driver/development engineer for Michelin Tire Corp. in South Carolina at the company’s only proving ground in North America.

"I work on subjective testing and evaluation for the replacement market and all original equipment Ford tire programs," Geswein explained. "I don’t crunch many numbers, but the engineering principles and methods I use daily with my customers, most of whom are engineers as well." While helping Michelin, Geswein also advances his racing career by logging driving hours and honing his skills. "Michelin has been supportive of my off-hours racing pursuits. It makes me a better engineer and driver for the hours I spend at my regular job."

Although he knows the road to his dream will be filled with twists, turns and the occasional mechanical breakdown, Geswein enjoys the ride. "Just having the opportunity to pursue the dream is a reward in itself."