THUNDERCAR ROOKIE ALAN PERRY SHEDS OFFICIAL UNIFORM FOR DRIVER’S SUIT
by Brian Spaid

June 20, 2008 

   At 22, Alan Perry wanted to make a change. He worked security at the Tri-City Speedway pit gate checking wrist bands to make sure people who purchased pit passes were the only ones to enter.

   All the while, about forty feet from his post, he could see the race cars enter the track out of the turn four pit exit. He watched them cruise around the Venango County half-mile oval. And he fell in love with racing.

   His father, Tom, helps with the track crew. There were times when his dad told him what the track was like. Where it narrows. Where it cuts hard left. All the while, the younger Perry pondered his options.

   Then, late last year, he decided to go for it.

   “A few people told me that I needed to be out there,” said Perry. “My dad told me that I had to get rid of my old car, and the only way I could keep it was to race it.”

   So, Perry took his trusty Oldsmobile Cutlass and turned it into a yellow and green Thundercar.No. 35.

   “I managed to get some help from people that raced before,” noted Perry. “I tried to copy them and their ideas to learn how to do this. I have about $4,000 in my race car. I saved some money because I’m running a stock motor in the car.”

   The Thundercars compete each week for points and the winner’s trophy. Designed as a start-up division, there is no purse money paid to the drivers. Without a purse, the cost is intended to be lower. Perry was a little taken back when he heard about some teams.

   “There are guys out there that are spending a lot more money to race for a trophy. I don’t have that kind of cash. If I did, I’d race Pro Stocks or something more.”

   Regardless what other teams spend, Perry loves the sport. Yes, the racing bug bit him hard.

   “It’s the fastest I’ve ever driven,” smiled Perry, who works for Voyten Electric in Franklin. “At first, it’s scary to drive that fast. But, you get used to it. The worst thing is smashing into other people’s cars. I try to race as clean as I can without getting into them and causing damage.”

   His advice to other drivers that want to start racing Thundercars is simple.

   “You have to be patient and learn how to race. You should also talk to someone who has done this before. Learn how to start a race team. And learn that you have to work on the car.”

   In his rookie campaign to date, the Oil City native is doing a stellar job for a man that has never driven a race car before. He sits 15^th in the points entering this weekend, and his best feature finish is 11^th. He even captured the hard charger award one week. That award signified that Perry passed the most cars in his feature race in all divisions combined in the same week.

   “That was a surprise,” admitted Perry. “I’m just out there to have fun and try to learn to race. I don’t want to get in anyone else’s way.”

   In addition to his father, Perry’s mother, Nancy, is a big supporter, although she is a little scared about her son racing cars.

   “Dad thinks it’s cool that I’m racing, but mom isn’t as thrilled. They encourage me to do well though. And I want to get better each week.”

   From pit gate security to Thundercar driver, racing is a big part of Perry’s life now. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

   Sponsors on Perry’s car include R.K. Virgile Scrap Metal and Hazlett Sheet Metal & Fabrication of Oil City, Horn’s Collision & Repair of Dempseytown, Voyten Electric and Rotten Ink and Tanks T’s of Franklin, Pennewell Sandblasting & Painting of Rouseville, and World of Wheels of Seneca.