hospitality areas, including sales,
planning and on-site manage
ment. There is also an African-
American woman involved with
group sales for Daytona USA, an
attraction for Daytona Interna
tional Speedway.
“Motorsports is a hot com
modity right now,” says Dierdra
Girardeau, 39, sports program
ming manager of motorsports
for Walt Disney World in O r
lando, Fla. Girardeau is among
th e first A frican-A m erican
women to hold a high-ranking
position in motorsports. Be
cause of the support of her boss,
Reggie W illiams, an African
American who is vice president
of Disney Sports Attractions,
Girardeau says she’s been able
to excel in her position.
“There are a lot of opportu
nities out there in motorsports.
The easiest to be involved with
is the marketing side. As a busi
ness, you have to understand
the marketing, the fan-based
characteristics.”
O th er African Americans
making strides in the business
include Herb Johnson, man
ager o f M ichelin N o rth
America's motorsports opera
tio n s, C h risto p h e r “C .J .”
Jones, director of motorsports
m arketing for M attel Corp,
and Jim Malloy, motorsports di
rector at Shell Co. Both men
encourage blacks to seek oppor
tunities on the business and
technical sides o f racing.
“Networking is key,” says
Jones, who has been closely in
volved w'ith the sport for the
past three years, since toy com
pany Mattel decided to sponsor
Kyle Petty’s “Hot Wheels” car
in the NASCAR series. “If you
have a love for cars, engineer
ing or mechanical things, I
would definitely recommend
getting involved.”
Malloy agrees. “The sport
has become very high-tech.
Education is important, espe
cially engineering and m e
chanical engineering.”
O n the NASCAR circuit
there’s 29-year-old Chris Gar
ner. He’s been with the Rich
ard Petty team for 18 years. A
personal assistant and friend to
Petty and his wife, Linda, Gar
ner currently drives the VIP
motorhome to different races
and looks after guests. He is also
training to work with the pit
crews.
O n the IRL circuit, look for
Junious Matthews, transport
driver and equipment manager/
©19C-J ö M W
Phil Harm s Photo Collection
RACING PIONEERS
African Americans
Assume Key Roles
In Racing Industry
Early O n
By Joe Elia
te lls y o u r
h a n d s to tu rn .
T he c a r re s p o n d s
Shining shoes was the way
Charlie Wiggins stepped into
auto racing. While polishing
wingtips more than 70 years
Rajo Jack poses in his Miller-powered sprint car a t Southern Ascot Speedway Los Angeles, Calif., in the
ago in Evansville, In d .,
mid-30s.
Wiggins identified for his
customers the make, model
and engine size of every car
that passed by.
and taking notes on how to build fast cars. He even went to a few
Wiggins didn’t even have to look at the car to call it. That races with Wiggins. Imagine Wiggins’ surprise, when he opened
determination was made merely by listening to the sound of the up a newspaper to a familiar photo announcing a reward for one
vehicle as it cruised past him.
John (Johnnie) Dillinger!
No question about it: Wiggins was a real whiz about engines,
Another fan was Sumner “Red" Oliver, a young African Ameri
and his knowledge of autos soon impressed his white customers, can who spent all his free time at Wiggins’ garage. Wiggins
some of whom owned garages. One such customer hired Wiggins showed Oliver the ropes and in 1973, Oliver became the first
as an apprentice, and quickly promoted him to chief mechanic.
“official” .African-American mechanic to register at the Indy 500.
By 1923, Wiggins moved to Indianapolis, purchased his own
O n the west coast in the early 20’s, Jack DeSoto was earning a
garage and quickly developed a reputation as a mechanical wiz reputation as a race organizer, driver, mechanic and team owner.
ard. For that reason, he became the mechanic of choice for the DeSoto got his stan in early racing history by selling Rajo perfor
city’s elite and for Indy car racers.
mance heads for Model A Fords. DeSoto eventually sold more
Eventually, Wiggins' passion for cars extended to building Rajo heads than anyone else in the world, earning him the nick
racing machines, which he raced himself. He also worked on cars name “Rajo Jack.” The moniker stuck and was even printed on
for Indy 500 legends such as “Wild Bill.”
DeSoto’s death certificate.
Cummings won the race in 1934, thanks in pan to Wiggins
Rajo Jack earned legendary status on the west coast by pro
mechanical ability.
moting race events featuring himself and other African- Ameri
Wiggins was known as a “yarn teller,” and one of his favorite can drivers. Besides his work in racing, DeSoto also owned an
stories was that of a young man he referred to as “Johnnie.” engine steam cleaning business, several garages, and a trucking
Johnnie was always coming by Wiggins’ garage asking questions company.
as if it w e re
e a v e s d ro p p in g
In a BMW, response to every in p u t is im m ediate. Handling, alm ost telepathic.
The result: a seam less bond betw een car and driver. And a driving experience
p lu g g e d d ire c tly in to yo u r senses. 1-800-334-4BM W . Or w w w .b m w u sa .co m
24
AFRICAN AMERICANS O N WHEELS
The Ultimate Driving Machine