The Crew

Of course all this isn’t possible without a motivated and dedicated crew, some who have been with me since the beginning. Each and everyone of them makes a valuable contribution towards the car. Our goal to win and have fun while doing it.

Crew Chief: Rick Purcell (Titch): I have known Titch since I was about 16. We have both worked at Champion Dragway as scrutineers for over 12 years (and we still do, before racing begins). Titch and his wife Carolyn are the owner operators of Paeroa Hire Centre and have not only crewed for me since day one but were my first sponsors. Titch supplies the trailer and tows the car to our-of-town events in his big blue bus. In the last build-up Titch helped me build the new roll cage, interior tin, the wing and many other things. Between us we come up with the chassis setup and evaluate other things on the car, track conditions and competitors. He is my eyes on the start-line and most importantly he makes sure I’m buckled in safely and feel assured about what’s going on around me. Which to me is very important. Instead of worrying about everything else I can concentrate on driving.
Kerry Corbet – Engine Builder: Between Kerry, Grahame and myself, we come up with engine combinations and build it. Kerry’s expertise is invaluable and I consider myself very fortunate to have him helping build my engine or should that be me helping him? Kerry’s background is as a mechanic and he has worked with ‘STA Parts’ for years, so as you can see he is quite an asset. Basically what we do is bounce ideas off each other on combinations, modifications that we have individually researched. Kerry does the general assembling and checking and I make all the bits, sumps, pumps, headers etc. On race day tuning decisions are made between Kerry, Titch and myself.
Grahame Annan: As I mentioned before Grahame is part of the engine building team and along with Kerry travels to Hunua to check and assemble the engine even on cold late nights. Grahame is now a sales rep at STA Parts. All for the love of dragracing.
Poppa George: Well he is my father-in-law and it is always an advantage to have your father-in-law on your side. Seriously, he has been on the crew since the beginning and is totally dedicated to Team Squig and helps out wherever he can. I don’t think he has ever missed a meeting even the out-of-town events. In the early days he helped source sponsors. His race day duties consist of setting up the pit space (while Titch and I are scrutineering) fueling the car, checking and adjusting the tyres, packing the chute and making sure I eat on a hectic race day.
Michael White: Mike has also been with me since the beginning he works with Poppa George on race day. Mikes invaluable contribution is also away from the track. As most of my crew are based out of town, and Mike has the misfortune of not only working with me, but living closer than other crew members, he is often called upon to help spanner day or night.
Devin: Devin is 14 and was still a toddler when he went to the drags with me years ago. Since then he has been to just about every race with us and is slowly learning the ropes.
Zachary and Hunter: They are 7 and 4 respectively and apart from being enthusiastic, well we will just have to wait and see.