The Voice of a Champion

If "the eyes are the window of the soul," as a wise person once remarked, then the voice resonates the individual. In conversation, information imparts through cover of mood and manner, but the inflection, the tone and the confidence of the speaker come through as well. Confidence that can only exist from assuredness of knowing who you are and what you were born to do. When I spoke recently with Dale Sievwright, his natural inner peace shone through and I knew I had a future champion on the other end of the phone line.

In some racing circles, Dale is considered a "rookie." In others, he's a seasoned professional. The usual fairy-tale story line could ensue here depicting his love of this sport beginning at age 8 with exposure to go-karts, but that would not bring justice to the depths of Dale's persona. Speed, technology, a bigger-better-faster mentality comprise aspects of his personality but do not fully describe his place in the world.

Open to new possibilities, Dale and his company plan to build several custom cars this coming year. Modifying a production vehicle for a January run in Daytona presents a challenge, but one he willingly accepts. In addition, mpactmotorsports plans to modify a BMW 325i for a Grand Am race coming up. No small challenge there.

Dale's company not only builds fine racing machines, it also sponsors Dale as a first-rate driver. He's looking forward to participating in his first ever 25 hour race on December 3 in Thunderhill, CA. Dale considers it both an honor and a test of his skills to drive as one of the team for this event.

Does this confident young driver ever get nervous? Yes, according to Sievwright, about a week before the race. But when race day arrives and he's comfortably ensconced at the track with his crew and equipment, ready to drive, he's calm and steady. Just as anyone should be behind the wheel of a few tons of steel propelling along the track at record speeds. And speed is what Dale lives for.

His highest speed to date? He clocked 190 mph in a late 1990s model Lola champ car on the test track a while back. Not bad for a rookie, eh?

Perhaps the most poignant quality Dale exudes is his sense of personal truth. Not often, in today's turmoil of "on-demand" services and "fast-food" lifestyle, do we find someone who enjoys his work, excels in his profession and is at peace with his decisions. Dale calls on his inner strength and faith knowing, without a doubt, that his life's path will carry him forward to meet his goals.

Along with his parents, whom he mentions first and foremost, Dale looks to role models such as Muhammad Ali and Mario Andretti as inspiration. He attributes his strength of character and focus to his parents unwavering faith in his abilities and encouragement to "do the right thing."

No doubt, Dale and mpactmotorsports will succeed in the racing industry. I hear it in his voice. It's the right thing for him to do.



November, 2005