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Humpy Wheeler forms Motorsports Employment Task Force
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Famed promoter H. A. ‘Humpy’ Wheeler has come out of his retirement in an attempt to help out those inside the motorsports industry who find themselves unemployed.
Wheeler, who retired as president of Lowe’s Motor Speedway this year has partnered with the North Carolina Motorsports Association to form a task force find those teams members who have lost their jobs new employment.
Current estimates put the total job losses near 700, although at least 450 have been confirmed.
“In the 70’s and 80’s I think it was even worse economically, but teams were much smaller then,” said Wheeler. “Some teams back then were letting go 50% or more of crew members. But that was only 5 or 6 people. Today cut backs might be less percentage of the team, but could equal dozens per organization.”
The Motorsports Employment Task Force’s first meeting was convened last Friday.
Among those present at the first meeting included associates from NASCAR, the NC Legislature, Centralina Workforce Development Board, Career Transition Consultants, NC Biotech Center, NASCAR Technical Institute, Women’s Auxiliary of Motorsports, NC-Community College Motorsports Consortium, Belmont Abbey College, Compass Career Management, The Wheeler Company and The NCMA.
The group discussed ways to immediately provide support and information to current displaced workers. In addition the Task Force discussed plans for a promotional campaign to other industries that would showcase the skills and benefits to hiring someone from the Motorsports Industry.
The Task Force is working towards the development of a central clearing house that will support displaced workers with information and steps to guide them in their sudden career path changes. It also will provide potential employers information and access about the benefits of hiring from the industry. The group is currently developing an immediate plan of action along with a long-term plan to support future workforce changes.
“When you count up the small teams too that we don’t hear about, the Nationwide teams and smaller Truck teams we likely have over 1,000 people losing their jobs,” said Wheeler. “Historically those who lost jobs in the past moved back to their hometown States and we lost them from the area. The main thing is that we don’t lose them from the region. This has major economic impacts to all of the community including non-motorsports related business.”
Most of those at the meeting expressed the urgency of taking some level of action immediately.
“In all the years I’ve been involved in racing, it’s always been trending up with jobs, sponsors and support organization,” said NCMA Executive Director Andy Papathanassiou, a seventeen-year veteran of the industry. “It’s important to remember that even in all those good years, there were still times when teams closed down and sponsors pulled out. Now with the whole economy in recession, we are bound to be affected and even more aware of the bad news we hear.”
“The industry will be poised and ready to take advantage when the economy inevitably rebounds,” added Papathanassiou. “Our immediate concern is to help those individuals in distress due to our current state.”
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