Driver Profile - Dave Hirata

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Driver: Dave Hirata

Car: NGK/Schepel Auto Group A/Fuel Dragster

Hometown: Lowell, IN

Occupation: Collision/service/restoration/custom shop owner

Family: Parents – Kenny and Chiyo, girlfriend - Molly

Accomplishments: 5x national event winner, multi-time divisional event winner, 2x U.S. Nationals runner-up

First race car: A/Fuel car

Favorite movies: Bloodsport

Favorite music: Anything violent

Favorite TV shows: ESPN and the Food Network

Favorite sports teams: New York Yankees

When I'm away from the racetrack I: Work 24/7, try to go to as many concerts as I can, and find different places to eat.

Top accomplishments: Working at the family business since 1982, working with my family, and being able to win national and divisional events.

Toughest opponent: Whoever is in the other lane, because no one is not tough.

Favorite opponent: Bill Reichert; I consider him to be one of the best ever, and we want to race the best.

Favorite drivers outside TAD: Sean Bellemeur

Personal heroes: My parents and Roland Leong

I race because: genetically I didn't have a chance; my dad always raced. Also, I like the challenge of it and the people that we've met.

I race TAD because: when I started racing I wanted to run nitro. That was right at the time when they [A/Fuel cars] would run really fast or really slow. You had 100% nitro, and it seemed like there was a whole lot more you could do. The biggest reason was because I wanted to run something on nitromethane.

Pre-race rituals or superstitions: I tend to wear the same clothes at every race. If I'm driving there's a couple things in the car that I try to do every time. I have a Saint Christopher's medal on my steering wheel. When we start the car I put my finger on it. If my girlfriend is there we do this thing that I call belly bumps so we have a goofy ritual there.

Nobody knows: my age – most people don't get it. I guess it's a compliment, or compliment to my parents.

If I didn't race I would: look to work on someone else's race car, just to be out there. I would spend more time working on my personal cars. I'd probably keep my lawn a little more groomed.

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hirata-Motorsports/128855993831990
Twitter username: @davehirata
Instagram username: davehirata
Website: www.hiratamotorsports.com

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