Touring with the Pro-4’S
Richardi Family Racing…Organized Chaos
Easton, MA: While the Pro-4 Division has a few weeks off, I went looking for some victims (I mean competitors) to get to know better. When the Richardi’s were called, they were very gracious and invited me for dinner so we could talk in a casual setting with the whole family present. With Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes and fresh broccoli set on the table, it was time to get to know the characters better. Rob Sr. has been into racing for a long time. Until seven years ago, most of his experience, however, was in Drag Racing. Barbara’s interest came from being the only female in a seemingly men’s world. Robby, now 23, captured the racing bug at the young age of seven when he was taken to see a race in New Hampshire. Instantly he was focused on the track and what was happening on the other side of the fence. Twenty-one year old David, followed in his brothers’ footsteps and wanted to show big brother that he was just as good if not better in competition.
Having very different styles on the track, both of the boys started in the SYRA (Seekonk Youth Racing Association) division about seven years ago at Seekonk Speedway and the Mini Cup Division on the New Hampshire and Maine tracks. Robby loves to run hard and believes that he can conquer whatever or whoever challenges him. David tends to be a little more cautious but won’t back down from the job at hand. When asked who was the better driver, they both hesitated, looked at each other and claimed that the other was better. While in SYRA, both of these young men brought home many awards, from Rookie of the Year, to Wins, and Points placement. Since joining the Pro-4 Club ( in 2003), the awards have kept coming. Some of them being very outstanding and prestigious.
Knowing from experience just how expensive the sport of auto racing is; the Richardi Family does all they can to stay competitive. First of all, they’d like to thank all of their sponsors (Ace Autobody, Luther and Luther Insurance, Al at S and P Enterprises of Easton, MA, and Hanover Jewelry). Without their help in this tight economy, racing would be impossible. The family owned business (Richardi Automotive), pitches in as well. They also cash in cans, scrap cars, and junk all the cores and metal that they can find. Besides racing, the younger Richardi’s go to school (both are slated to Graduate this year). Robby helps at the shop and works for UPS as well. Hm-mm…wonder if he drives the Big Brown Truck? Dave can be found doing odd jobs (painting a boat, helping with yard work and finding almost anything he is capable of doing that pays) besides being at the Garage when ever he can also.
Doing your homework then applying it to what you do everyday is as important in life as it is on the race track. Rob Sr. is in the garage every night after 7pm and stays there tweaking the cars till around 11. Robbie and David are there when their jobs and studies allow. The eldest Richardi also spends all of Sunday contemplating how best to fix, replace, or repair anything that could be improved upon for the next race. There are many people that help with the tasks at hand both on and off the track, Harry, Paul and Richie Roach, Cracker, Gary, Scotti (PUDDY), Dino, and Patrick are just a few of the ready and willing crew persons that make racing possible. Barbara does her part in the nightly ritual as well. She comes in from work and prepares a full meal every night. Any one and everyone that helps is invited up to the homestead for a nice meal before calling an end to the day.
As President of the club, the senior Richardi hopes to keep whole group working in harmony like a fine oiled machine. He believes that as a whole, the club can get along and work out any differences that they may have by agreeing to disagree. With 30 racers, their families and crew, personality conflicts are likely to occur but everyone tries to work it out as adults and that’s what makes the Pro-4 group so strong. Although mostly behind the scenes Barbara, as Treasurer, has many responsibilities during the race and during the week following the events that keep her running many hours beyond what most people see. Sometimes difficult, she wants to help the club keep going in anyway she can.
The whole gang has found that touring the tracks has been enjoyable. It gives them an extra challenge. Setting up the cars according to the banking and straight aways of each racing oval is always different. On some surfaces, there are no two corners alike. Running hard anywhere they go is the fun of the game. It’s a weekly learning experience that they will hold on to for as long as they can. As a visiting division, they feel as if they are welcomed where ever they run and all of the staff are always very helpful and kind.
I want to take a moment and thank the Richardis’ for being so welcoming and candid with me. Dinner was great! The group answered all of the questions that I had with honesty and we had fun with many of the answers. With any luck I’ll be talking with some of the other drivers and Program Sponsors in the near future. If you have a competitor or sponsor that you’d like to get to know better, please feel free to contact me. My email is Cathiettigger2@yahoo.com and my cell is 774-826-5850. As Always…See You At The Races!!!!
Sources: Cathie Tanner/YankeeRacer.com