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James Hunt
08/07/2008 - 08:25 AM
Charlotte, NC
Hunt's driving and business are turning heads for all the right reasons. (Photo: James Hunt Racing) ยป More Photos
Part 1 of this Blog describes how exciting I'm finding personal growth as a race car driver. Part 2, focuses on a life of ongoing business growth intensified by my recent pursuit of professional driving. I am not only evolving my talent as a driver, but I have become a business. James Hunt Racing, LLC is the name of my company. I evolve and grow it simultaneously with my driving.
Growing up I was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug. I started as many business men and women do, with what I thought at the time was the world's greatest lemonade stand. I was cranking about a $6 profit per day, which at the age of 8 led me to believe that I was a modern day John D. Rockefeller. My entrepreneurial aspirations only grew from there. My Dad and I ran a used car business out of our driveway when I was between the ages of 14-16 to save money for my mountain bike racing as well as the purchase of my first car (Uncle George's 1985, white, Nissan 200sx Turbo with 160,000 miles). I loved that car. It burned a quart of oil a week and taught me the definition of throttle induced oversteer. In high school I started my own automotive detailing company called "Main Line Detailing." I ran that in between semesters of school all the way through my sophomore year in college. As college graduation approached I went the more traditional route of an internship with BMW of North America, which helped, among other things to set me up for my current job at the company.
Creating and running multiple small businesses has taught me extremely valuable lessons in business as well as life. I am also lucky to work for an incredible company like BMW of North America. Combining my personal experiences with my job at BMW has given me a strong foundation on which to build the business side of racing (racing, after all, being a business). Despite having valuable background for entering the motorsports arena, I'm constantly learning new things in running James Hunt Racing, LLC. Recent business growth with my company has been accelerated, to say the least. Since forming James Hunt Racing, LLC, I have gotten my website up and running (www.jameshuntracing.com),
I have to laugh after writing that last paragraph. It's no wonder the guy that cuts my hair asked if I had been working hard lately (apparently my hair is not as thick and healthy as what it used to be). When I asked if I was prematurely balding at 25, he assured me that I still have a long way to go until I have to start rocking a hair piece. Whew!
It seems that racing is unlike other business environments because talent and hard work guarantee you nothing. Granted, in any business venture things are rarely guaranteed. But in racing there are a million other "drivers" out there.
In a sport where there is an over abundance of egotistical drivers and a shortage of opportunities, I'm trying to differentiate myself from the pack and grow in another direction. That differentiation from the million other "drivers" is key to success. I'm NOT just another "driver." Differentiation evolves via a constant level of professionalism, reliable driving, hard work and dedication to the sport. That's not to say other drivers don't have such attributes associated with them, but I am developing an effective way of enacting them. I'm not sitting at home waiting for the opportunity to fall into my lap. I'm out relentlessly chasing it. This growth will hopefully create a positive reputation behind James Hunt; not only as a driver, but also as a business. When a team owner, crew chief, race series representative, business partner or anyone says, "We need someone," I want the first name that comes to mind to be James Hunt, whether it's for a driving opportunity, media event, promotion or brand representation. I'm working hard to earn opportunities as "THE" go to guy. I only wish it were as easy as it sounds. You can only earn these types of opportunities by gaining the respect and trust of everyone involved in the racing community and beyond, at every level. It also helps to have a little luck and timing on your side.
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