SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1539923
MAKING IT HAPPEN STEVE LEWIS, VILDOSOLA RACING'S CREW CHIEF KEEPS THE WHEELS TURNING BY STUART BOURDON PORTRAIT BY JACK WRIGHT PHOTOS BY GETSOME PHOTO CREW CHIEF STEVE LEWIS It’s been said that Crew Chiefs, or team managers as they are also often called, are the grease that keeps all the parts of an off-road racing team working together smoothly. Steve Lewis at Vildosola Racing had been racing motorcycles for years when a friend invited him to go to a SCORE off-road race in 1998. They volunteered for Gus Vildosola Sr., and ever since that time, Lewis continued to do so for many years. “I’ve only missed one or two races in all those years,” said Lewis. By 2012, Gus had asked him to be the Team Manager/Crew Chief. We recently sat down with Lewis to discuss his experiences managing the very successful and high-profile two-driver Vildosola Racing team. As Lewis pointed out, one of the most important aspects of the job begins when the team comes home from a race. “We start prepping the trucks (race and chase) for the next race, changing out anything that was broken, worn out, or needs upgrading. Then we move on to the trailers we use for pits, and replace worn-out tires, checking for damaged jacks, air guns, and air lines. Every single component on the trucks and support trailers gets checked. Then there’s the paperwork SCORE needs for entering the next race, including signed releases from each and every member of the team, including volunteers. Some of that paperwork can be done online now, so that has made it much easier. We begin creating extensive race books. I usually start categorizing them a month or so before the race, filling in whatever bulletins come from SCORE. I also create pre-run books. Then, when the course map comes out, I begin working on logistics based on the map.” When it comes to managing team personnel, Lewis’ approach is to make sure everyone is on the same page. “I am talking with pit captains, chase truck crews, getting everyone involved, letting them know they can ask any question, and that I am available the whole time throughout the race.” Having enough spare parts for every race can be a challenge, but it’s also a high priority. “We keep an inventory of two races worth of parts on hand now for both race trucks. That way, we’re not spending hours driving around looking for a ball joint in the middle of a race.” Lewis also spoke of the ups and downs experienced by the team lately. “Gus has seen great success and won the last 14 races in a row in the SCORE TT Legends class as the three-time Champion. However, there was a race during which someone was beginning to catch up to him near the finish. We thought that was going to be the end of the winning streak, but luckily for us, it didn’t happen. That was nerve-wracking!” With Tavo racing in the SCORE Trophy Truck class, it has been a rollercoaster lately for the team as well. “We’ve been doing better and getting some podiums, but we’ve also had some setbacks. Gus and Tavo have completely different driving styles. I consider Tavo one of the top five racers in SCORE, but his approach can sometimes be a bit too aggressive. He’s actually changed it himself and just said, let’s go for a podium instead of a win, and that consistency might be a better goal.” When asked about what it’s like for him the morning of a race, Lewis said, “I’m always nervous. Did I forget something? What didn’t I put in the book? Is everyone in position? I’m hoping the truck doesn’t have some kind of weird failure. I’m nervous about everyone’s safety. We bring around 100 people to a race. At the end of the day, it’s my responsibility to make sure everybody gets home.” The most memorable races for Lewis so far have been the 2010 and 2012 SCORE Baja 1000 wins. The 2010 race win was especially dramatic. “Javi, (Tavo Vildosola’s navigator) told me the transmission was about to go, and we weren’t sure the Trophy Truck would make it. It held. Watching the truck come across the finish line sideways in first place was amazing.” Lewis capped our interview by telling us, “The thing I love most about my job is the people at the shop. They bust their asses to get the job done, and they never say no.” SJ