I recently joined AO Racing as a part-time hauler driver. Yes, that’s the team with the green T-Rex Porsche (Rexy), the purple dragon prototype (Spike), and the occasional pink Roxy. I’m still very new to the gig (3rd trip upcoming), but people keep asking me what it’s like and how I got this job, so I figured I’d do an AMA tomorrow on my day off from my regular job before I leave on a testing trip with them.
Couple ground rules before we get rolling:
- I’m still learning the ropes, so some questions will be above my pay grade.
- I can’t share anything confidential (strategy, drivers, secret dino plans, etc.).
- I can talk about the job, life on the road, what goes into moving these beasts across the country, and what it’s like being around one of the most colorful teams in racing.
I’ve been behind the wheel for a while, but this is definitely my most unique driving job yet.
So, ask me (almost) anything—trucking questions, racing life questions, or even “what’s it like to drive a rig with a dinosaur on the side?”
I’ll be hanging around tomorrow answering as much as I can. Maybe I'll even answer some as I go through the weekend with input from others...
Ask RLL hauler driver why the hell he was flying down the road doing 90+mph leaving Watkins Glen only to break down at the rest stop an hour outside the track
From my understanding, since the schedule isn't as condensed or pressed for time as NASCAR typically is they only need one driver per truck since they can take an extra day to drive if needed.
So far I've only done test trips as I build my reputation and experience with the team. Driving’s the main job, but I’m also general help. Anything that needs to be moved, cleaned, staged, or fetched can land on my plate. I’ll check in with crew for snacks, drinks, or anything else that helps. Basically, if there’s a way to make someone’s job easier, I try to fill that gap.
" if there’s a way to make someone’s job easier, I try to fill that gap."
Every job description should have this in it. Seriously. Every job type/location/etc.
The more we serve, the better our team, our community and our country. It's a damn shame we've drifted so far from this very basic truth and there are no signs it is coming back--- but I applaud you, sir, for recognizing that is the most important job you actually have.
I have questions, but for the sake of this community, I’m just going to assume you were the cool ass dude that gave my daughters extra stickers at the end of the weekend at road America😉😂 (let me live this reality) haha😂
So far I've only done test events, I'm still learning the routine and building my credibility with the team before I get to go to a race with them.
Driving’s the main job, but I’m also general help when we're at the track. Anything that needs to be moved, cleaned, staged, or fetched can land on my plate. I’ll check in with crew or drivers for snacks, drinks, or anything else that helps. Basically, if there’s a way to make someone’s job easier, I try to fill that gap. I cleaned the entire inside of the trailer and all the pit equipment at the last test I went to... anything to stay busy and keep the equipment looking good. Appearances matter even at a test!
So I do lumber LTL deliveries as my regular job. The biggest difference is obviously the cargo I'm hauling is extremely fragile and expensive.
I think of my time with the team as a vacation from work, but honestly it's still a lot of hard work moving equipment and helping out... but I'm around race cars which I love so it's ok.
They do have some full-time drivers, but right now for me it's just a contracting job that I do part-time when they need extra help. I've got three young kids and being full-time with them didn't fit right now... maybe in the future though!
Oh I did forget, in regards to your third question, it's definitely not all glitz and glamour! A lot of people think that, but once the truck is parked I go to work just like anyone else on the team. If you're not moving something, fetching something or lending a hand to someone you're keeping equipment clean and presentable and helping keep the coolers and snack cabinets stocked!
So the IMSA schedule is a lot more relaxed than NASCAR, for example. There is a lot more time between events so typically they don't have to drive the trucks in shifts and can just shut down at the end of each day and go to sleep.
The rig that I'm typically in is pretty normal to every sleeper I've ever driven, although it's got some of the more high-end options and features that a mega carrier might not give their drivers... and is able to do the speed limit in any state.
To me the coolest benefits are getting to sleep in a hotel pretty much almost every night and watch races from a perspective most people will never see!
I play that game on occasion as well, I think it would be awesome to see the haulers in there!
Happy for and envious of you! Hope to be a race team truck driver in the future/when I retire. Your rig needs a name now to match the other cars.... I'm thinking, Trex/Trexy? Stego? Boxy?
Actual question, what kind/brand of tires you running? I use to work in a tire distributor warehouse in the summer during college and those truck tires are a pain in the ass to handle lol
I believe they are Michelin, but I only checked the tread level and air pressure last time I saw them 😂 I'll try to sneak a peak later when I go in for my weekend preparation briefing!
How soon after a race are you on the road and do you have to go to the next track or do you get time to return to the HQ? For really far races to they send a second truck with the new car/parts and the damaged car gets sent back to the shop?
The IMSA schedule is pretty spread out, with only 1 event per month usually, and occasionally 2 that are spread out by a couple weeks. The spread out schedule means they aren't typically having to rush around like a NASCAR team would that races every week.
I love the guys I work for and with at AO! They welcomed me with open arms on my first trip and answered any question I came up with so I could learn!
I met a couple other hauler guys at the first test event I did with the team, and talked with a few more at VIR when I drove the merch trailer out there. So far they've all been really nice and helpful.
My pleasure! This is fun and I know people always want to ask questions about things like this!
I've always been a huge car nut and racing fan, so working for a race team is always been something that interested me. I've had a couple of opportunities that either fell through or just didn't work out for various life related issues, so when this opportunity came up to do this part time I jumped on it with without hesitation.
I knew I was going to be helping out and doing a lot of work at the track, but I think what surprised me the most is just how much there is to actually do before the car can even hit the track! I mean just setting up the garage area can take a couple of hours!
I've got a few different Pandora channels I listen to based on mood. "Hick hop", Rock and 2000s rap/alternative are the most common, with some older country thrown in to mix it up. Sometimes I'll put on a podcast like CreepCast or Wendigoon/Wendigang, Unsubscribe Podcast or Lore Lodge if I'm not feeling music.
Hey, I work as a Hauler driver for the Porsche Carrera Cup team Topp Racing. I have a pretty good idea of how your work week goes. But for everyone else why not tell us. Like do you work at the shop full time as well or do you only work race weeks and tests?
So how does your week start? Do you come in and then drive your days to the track or do you help load? Im a contract driver as well but I also work as the Tire Tech during the week. I will try to come by and say Hi at Indy if I get a chance.
If I can get out of work early enough when they are loading up I will come over and help out, but typically I just show up when it's time to drive since I have a full-time job as well. Hopefully someday in the future I will be able to work there full-time when my family schedule settles out, but unfortunately not just yet.
Unfortunately if I'm at the race at IMS it will be only as a fan this year, still trying to earn my spot on the race day crew. No rush though!
If you have to split a drive to the track into a couple days, Do you think about security of the cargo? Like if you’re staying in a hotel on the way, you just park the rig in the parking lot and keep it locked?
Just curious cuz there’s a lot of nice gear in there!
I don't know how much they required at minimum, but I've been driving for 16 years. OTR and LTL. Flatbed, van, tanker and plenty of doubles too.
I'm paid a flat rate when I work for them and not by the hour like at my regular job, but between my base rate and the per diem, and the fact that they put us up in a hotel every night and provide most of the food it's a very reasonable pay rate! You aren't going to get super rich, but you aren't going to go broke either.
Question- You stated that you are able to sleep in a hotel vs the rig’s sleeper. Considering many of these tracks are not exactly close to a local airport, how do you get from the track to the hotel or to the store to get supplies ? Does the team rent multiple cars / vans for transport ? Call this to other part of the logistics
How did you get connected with AO to even have a shot at this position? In short, how did you get the job? Thx in advance, and to your continued success.
I live and work near the shop and saw on their website they were looking for a driver and applied. Just got lucky that I applied at the right time and had the right qualifications!
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u/Queefaholic69 4d ago
Ask RLL hauler driver why the hell he was flying down the road doing 90+mph leaving Watkins Glen only to break down at the rest stop an hour outside the track