The Red Bull - Shannon Poole - Part 2

The Red Bull

Article and Photos: Shannon Poole

Last month, we covered the crash that destroyed the Red Bull Racing Corvette. We also discussed how so many people have helped with locating parts for the rebuild, however, because it was (and will be again) based on an original Corvette, many items are just hard to find. If you missed that article you can catch up at www. rpmmag.com and also be sure to click on the crash video link in this article.

After my wreck, as I lay in bed, all I could think about was if the racing game and the TV show “The Call

Out” I am involved with, was worth it. I had a conversation with Owner and Producer of the show, Brian Bossone. Brian, who has become one of my best friends over the last few years and whose words mean a lot to me, encouraged me not to give up and that things would work out, but for some reason, at that time, so soon after the crash, it was just too soon to get motivated. The long nights in the shop by myself, the countless 100 dollar bills I had just lost, and the ones yet to be spent, the trailer and tow rig maintenance, hours and hours of car maintenance, the cars in my shop that I needed to be working on and the thousands of miles I’ve traveled and the many more yet to come, all kept running through my mind. I felt like I really dodged a big bullet and walked away with my life. So many things could have happened differently, and I could have easily been killed. Those thoughts can get really deep. It all just seemed to weigh so heavily on me, probably because I’ve

never really thought about it all, I just did it.

As the calls and texts came pouring in, my thoughts got deeper and deeper. My phone didn’t stop ringing for 3 days. People I’ve never talked to before dropped text messages or called just to check on me. People that know me called and texted as well, and it all made me realize how many friends I’ve made in the last 30 years of racing.

The phone call that put an end to all of negativity in my head was from my sponsor and friend, Tom Keen, owner of Keen Parts. He asked me what my plans were and what I was thinking. Obviously I wanted to quit racing and move on to something else, but he made me realize that he was there for me and was willing to help me bring the car back. He explained that the car did its job and protected me from dying; Tom is the type of person that tells you like it is and doesn’t sugar coat anything. I can’t remember his exact words because of

YES, Shannon Poole will be back racing his 1964 Corvette!

The old direct port nitrous system about to be replaced and flowed. A damaged fuel line from the crash.

The finished product, fully repaired and ready to go.

Steve Johnson personally flowed the Corvette nitrous system.

the pain meds but he made it clear to get off my ass and get to work. As the messages kept pouring in, I realized I had to get up and get started. Everybody’s kind words, my friends stopping by and the outreach by people willing to help me, was overwhelming. Patrick James from Pro Systems texted me about the carb that was tore up and offered to fix it. Steve Johnson from Induction Solutions called and offered to fix the direct port nitrous system. Greg Shampine from Ultra Carbon called to offer to replace my broken carbon seat. My buddy Hula from Quality fiberglass offered to and fixed the rear section

This is the damaged carbon fiber seat that held together under and extreme multiple rollover wreck.

Here you can see some of Everybody’s kind words, my friends stopping by and the outreach by people willing to help me, was overwhelming.

see how the seat stayed together well at of the critical mounting points.

The new plate from Ultra Carbon arrived and is waiting for a home in the rebuilt Corvette.

This is the carbon motor plate that was heavily damaged during the wreck but still held the motor in the car.

The Pro Systems carburetor after the crash, it was pretty tough and was sent in for a rebuild.

of the body and Dan Morgan at Race Flow Development called and offered to fix the heads if need be.

As soon as I could walk, I was outside in the shop once again hatching a plan. Jay, aka the Chassis Doctor, contacted me and wanted to help with building the chassis for RED BULL, it seemed that all of the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, however, the virus hit shortly afterwards and things slowed to a crawl. Parts were almost impossible to get and the damaged parts I had were mostly unfixable. I needed a windshield frame in order for the Chassis Doctor to get started. Tom searched and searched for one and months went by with no luck. The

good news is that just last week I received a text from Tom with a picture of a brand new windshield frame he found! I felt like I was lifted out of the hole I’ve been in for a while now. We are back in business! and the chassis should be ready in about 3 months!

One thing I’ve definitely learned from all of this is; a lot of people might not care one bit about what I’m doing or where I want to go, and that’s fine, but there are always people that do, and that’s what really matters. These days, racing isn’t about winning and losing for me, it’s about the relationships you build along the way!

Follow along in RPM magazine as we bring the The Red Bull back to life!

The result looks like a brand new carb, great work by Pro Systems!

RPM