Teams

Ludicrous Speed!!!

Garage Headquarters: Pasadena, CA

Driver: Grant Delgatty

Mechanics: Paul Wendling, Julie Wendling, Brian Belz, Brenda Black

Nuts and Bolts:

“I love to design things, and I love to race,” says Grant Delgatty. “In fact, I love those two things so much, I named my two boys Dezin and Racin.” Grant, 39, is a product design instructor at Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design as well as a full-time footwear designer, with a background that includes heading up design for some of the country’s top skateboard and youth lifestyle shoe brands. He’s now preparing to launch his own line, Urshuz; but when he’s not working, Grant gets into serious funny business, like entering Red Bull Soapbox Races. The contest in Los Angeles will be his third.

In 2006, Grant drove a skateboard-shaped soapbox in St. Louis, and in 2007 he built a Seattle entry based on “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” He and his pit crew Brian Beltz, Brenda Black, Julie Wendling, and Paul Wendling will be tackling another cinematic theme this year. “We love corny 80’s spoof movies – our inspiration comes from the Mel Brooks film ‘Spaceballs,’” Grant explains. “In our production the character Dark Helmet will commandeer Lonestar’s flying Winnebago. True to 80’s era Winnebagos, our craft will use nothing but the cheapest flat panels of plastic that money can buy.” Grant’s teammates are as creative (and crazy) as he is: Julie designs jewelry, Paul is a professional model builder, and Brian and Brenda… well, they once channeled “Borat” by walking the streets of Waikiki in one-piece thongs. “The reason I keep coming back to these races is because they’re plain ol’ fun!” smiles Grant. “It’s what I do.”