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Q&A with Bill Foland
BF,
what's happening!
BF: Not much, just
getting ready for a new racing season.
Can you give the fans a
little background about you....
BF: Well, I sell parts
for Kaeding Performance and travel to all the Golden State races
with the parts trailer to take care of the racers. I also enjoy
taking a ride in a race car every now and then when my schedule
permits me to.
What are your daily
duties at Kaeding Performance?
BF: I do just about
everything there from shipping and receiving to working the
counter, pumping fuel...etc. Whatever needs to be done on a daily
basis.
You're father, Burt
Foland was a gasser back in the day.
BF: My dad had most of
his success before I was old enough to enjoy seeing it. He won the
Johnny Key race twice, the BCRA midget Championship twice and won
100's of main events in Super Modifieds, Sprints and Midgets. He
could win on dirt and pavement. But I guess he is mainly known for
his exploits on the old Tully Road San Jose Speedway Asphalt oval.
Any stories that you
would like to share about him?
BF: I guess the best
story I can remember about him (and there are many) was the time
he won his 2nd Johnny Key race, he came from 3 laps down!!! Can
you imagine that? It was 150 laps back then and he made up those
laps and won the race, that to me is amazing. I guess another
would be the time he drove Ollie Johnson's midget in a USAC midget
race at San Jose Speedway and battled Tommy Astone (who was
driving my dad's former ride, the London #4) for 100 laps to take
the win. My dad raced well into his 50's and won main events in
the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. He never officially retired so
maybe he will be making a comeback again here soon.....
Besides your father, who
was your hero growing up?
BF: I would have to say
that I had two hero's other than my dad and they would be Bob
Miller and Brent Kaeding. They let me hang around and helped me
learn the part of racing I had no idea about....the technical
side. For that I will always be grateful to both of them and now
it is my livelihood. Bob Miller is the most giving person you
could ever come across, I would do anything for him. It is truly
unbelievable that Bob isn't in the Sprint Car Hall of Fame yet.
That man gave everything he had to this sport and he should be
recognized for it. Brent has always been there for me since I was
a young man until now and he has given me the opportunity to make
myself better and has helped me achieve my goal of becoming a race
car driver too.
Your a voting member for
the National Sprint Car Poll. How do you guys decide who is Rookie
of the year, driver of the year, etc,.
BF: Actually you
nominate a few people in the different categories, then you vote
on them after the nominations come out.
How did you get selected
to be a voting member?
BF: Probably because I
used to write a column for Bobby Gerould's HammerDownUSA.com.com
and HoseHeads. I met Tom Schmeh at Knoxville one year and he asked
me and I said yes.
You have won the
prestigious Dave Bradway, Jr. Inspirational award. Can you explain
to the fans what the award signifies, and what it means to you?
BF: To me, that award
will always be special, because Jr. was the ultimate racer, he
loved racing, loved life, loved the fans and the racers all the
same. He was truly a great man and he is sorely missed. When I won
the Award in Reno a few years ago, I have to admit that I couldn't
understand why I won it, but it was so shocking to hear someone
talking about me and showing me on the big screen, that I was
overcome with emotion and could hardly speak when I got to the
podium. To say I was honored is a huge understatement. It is my
most treasured memory of my life.
Tell us about the racing
you've done so far?
BF: I have only driven
a handful of races in a midget on dirt and probably 10 Sprint Car
races of Pavement. Both are very fun but so much different. On the
pavement, you have to keep the car so straight and steady and make
sure you don't break the tires loose. On the dirt, you are up on
the wheel at all times, sawing it back and forth, it really gets
your attention. The Midget react so much quicker than the Pavement
Sprint Car, but I love to race them both.
"The Hogs"
What makes them so successful?
BF: Well I actually
haven't worked on Brent's race cars for a few years now, but the
reason they are successful is the fact that everybody knows what
their job is and it gets done. Now they have two cars so it makes
it that much more impressive to see them in action. Brent is a
master motivator, he will get the best out of you and treats you
well so you want to come back for the next race.
What does it take to be
a Hog?
BF: You just have to
give it your all and be ready to go the extra mile at any time.
They are all pretty good guys, even though some people are
intimidated to approach them.
How is Billy Albini
doing?
BF: Billy is doing very
well, except for the fact that he still hasn't been able to eat
food since last May. The Cancer is gone but he really wants to be
able to eat and of course have a beer with the boys!!!
What's the biggest
challenge for you in racing and why?
BF: I would have to say
driving, because it has been frustrating at times but also very
enjoyable. Anybody that has ever strapped themselves in a race car
has my utmost respect.
What's your personal
plans for yourself racing wise. For the little you've raced,
you've sure shown a ton of promise.
BF: Thanks, I
appreciate that. I actually don't have any plans for this year
yet. I would like to drive my dad's Beast Sprint Car but he has so
many irons in the fire right now, it will be tough. I would enjoy
driving a midget again, I really liked it, I would also like to be
able to drive a Winged Sprint Car or a Spec Sprint.
What can be done to keep
costs down?
BF: Racing costs money,
it always will and it is becoming more apparent that not everybody
including myself can do it out of pocket. The weight rule isn't a
big factor because people still have the lightweight component and
bolt weight on. The tire rule is good in California, it evens the
playing field.
You mentioned to me,
that you would run anything, so that tells me that you have a
competitive nature......
BF: Ya, I started late
in life so I want to try every kind of race car that I can. I have
always been competitive. I played baseball when I was younger and
I couldn't stand to lose. I have taken that with me to racing. I
have done my share of losing in racing, it sucks, but it makes it
that much sweeter when you win.
You took a vicious flip
in a midget. How hard is that to put out of your mind as a driver,
and not be afraid to stick it in there?
BF: I haven't been back
in a race car since I crashed at Watsonville. But I know the next
day, I knew I wanted to get back into a race car whenever I can. I
am not a quitter, never have been, you have to put that part of it
out of your mind, cause if you think about it when you are racing,
you might as well not even be out there.
Has your confidence ever
been shaken?
BF: Ya sure, but I
learned quickly to try to do my best and not step over the line.
The race car will only go as far as you want it to go. I tried to
push it too far a couple of times and it bit me. I learn something
every time I get into a race car.
If you could race
anything, what would it be?
BF: A winged 410 Sprint
Car
What's your career
highlight been so far?
BF: I haven't had too
many, but I guess when I won Trophy Dash at Carson City and a
couple of heat race wins at USAC Western States races.
How about your lowest?
BF: Crashing trying to
qualify at Turkey Night a few years ago. I had to convince myself
that I wanted to do it again after that. I am glad that I kept
with it.
With all your travels up
and down the highways and byways, I know you have a ton of
stories. Care to share some memorable ones?
BF: Don't know if I can
on here, you never know who is reading this stuff, but let's just
say that I have had the time of my life at or on the way to the
races. (As well as after the races).
Where do you hope to see
yourself 5 years from now?
BF: I just hope that I
am healthy and I have a chance to race full time somewhere.
Any misconceptions you
would like to comment on?
BF: I don't know, I
think I am an open book, what you see is what you get with me. I
will tell you what is on my mind and I hope that I have the
respect of my peers.
Are we ever going to see
a return of BF's BS?
BF: You never know, I
have been threatening to write a new column, maybe this will be my
inspiration to do it again.
Finally, I want to thank
you for taking the time, and letting us fans to get to know you
better. I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose to do
this season....
BF: Thanks, I
appreciate the chance to respond to your questions and I wish you
the best with this and everything you have going this year. I hope
to see you all at the races this coming year and don't be afraid
to come up to me and say hi.
You got
it BF!
To contact The Hammer sprint_cars_forever2001@yahoo.com
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