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Jim Bosler - Co-founder, CEO
Mr. Bosler has served as President & CEO since co-founding the Company in 1995. Mr. Bosler’s previous experience includes management consultant for McKinsey & Co; President and owner of Caliber Development; Senior VP of Direct Sales for Egghead Software. Mr. Bosler has a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Stanford University.
I participated in the Grand Am Cup Pro Series at Watkins Glen, NY last weekend. My co-driver was World Porsche Cup Champion, Mike Fitzgerald. You may have driven his car in racing games.
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Here I am leaving the paddock for a practice session. This
is a very fast, legendary and difficult track, which makes for
fun. But, with our two exceptional team cars and top drivers,
we aren't worried. What's the worse that can happen? |
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Here I go on track. Love that shiny black finish. |
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Practice is called due to heavy lightening and torrential downpour.
Felt like somebody was tossing buckets of water in the window. |
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Time to Qualify. We only have 15 minutes to get it done and session about to start.
"Hey, I don't mean to tell you guys how to do your job, or anything, but isn't something missing here?"
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Ok, NOW we're ready. |
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Five minute hold for fashion violation by crew member.. |
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Going great! Warm-up lap on my way to blaze a new track record for sure... Loving that shiny car. |
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Uh, guys -- don't look too closely as I blast down the straight in front of pit row.
Umm... I sort of overcooked it a tad and spun coming out of the bus stop. Well, since you asked...
I did hit the tire wall - just a little body damage and the dirt that will wash right off.
I cut down a rear tire, as well. Explains a less than stellar qualifying time and a funny
vibration at anything over 160. Just more cars to pass after the race starts...
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Race Time! Radio Check. Let's rock and roll! |
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Race goes great (duration is first of 200 miles, or 2 1/2 hours - with at least one mandatory driver change). I fight my way up through the pack -bravely avoiding spinning cars driven by lesser mortals with obvious less car control skills than moi. Multiple full course yellows due to "incidents", with pace car coming out each time for re-starts.
Did I mention I got a bit, er, aggressive and spun exiting a blind uphill corner? A dozen cars whizzed by on either side while I attempted to get the car restarted and pointed back in the right direction without getting annihilated. I started working my way back through the pack getting a second look at my competitors. Refrained from making the "L" sign on my forehead once again as I repassed - loses some impact the second time by.
Our sister car #38 comes in for a pit stop and driver change after being clobbered in the right rear wheel by a spinning Cadillac. Grandpa?
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I get the call to pit for our driver change under a yellow. Boy, that 1 hour and 22 minutes went by fast! I have us well positioned on the lead lap and it's time for the pro to bring us to the podium. A little help getting out, please. |
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Out with the old..... |
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In with the fast and furious... |
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And, here we go with Mike ready to go to work and close the gap. Which way is the podium, boys? |
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Mike starts gaining a spot each lap, or two, but is hampered by a series of never-ending full course yellow flags. Course is under yet another full course yellow when word comes over officials' radio that track will go green with only 5 minutes remaining to race. Our team owner radios to the two drivers to be careful of mayhem -- as everybody goes nuts for position with restarts this close to the end. Another worry wart like the guy at the driver's meeting. Anyway, back to the race.
Track goes green ...... and then yellow again after 30 seconds. What!! What idiots caused this mess and ruined the end of OUR race??
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First report is of three separate crashes on same lap. Next report is that the #83 Porsche was impacted by the #37 Mustang and Life Flight helicopter has been dispatched to the scene. After a very tense 20 minutes, we find that Mike is ok - his radio was knocked out of commission in the crash. We go to the Speed Channel trailer and watch frame by frame as the Mustang plows into our car, spins it backwards, and then both go into the barrier. Help quickly arrives to get Mike out and to attend to injured driver.
Mike is out and walking about. EMTs are on the scene and all is under control - calm and organized. A simple manner of extricating the other driver who is slumped over unconscious.
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Turns out the crash crew has been watching Keystone Kop reruns, instead of training videos. They first use the Jaws of Life on the driver side and decide that won't work. They then move to the passenger side and cut the power cable in the process starting a fire the engulfs the car with the trapped driver inside.
They put the fire out and then decide to take out the windshield. No, can't get to driver that way, so they finally cut a hole in the roof and drag him out. Good news is that they get him conscious and he knows his name. Has no idea that he was in a race. Most likely a concussion.
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RCrew looks over our car after it is deposited back to our paddock. Anybody have the number for State Farm?
Well, it was - strangely enough - a great weekend, despite the less than happy ending. The race will be on Speed Channel this Sunday at 2 pm. Next race for me is Mid-Ohio - end of August.
Jim
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