24 Irrelevant Questions: Steve Taft

As one of the senior members both by age and experience, Steve has been a big part of the team, and serves as a combination of data specialist and right-hand man to engineer Lars Giersing. When we say right-hand, we really mean left, however, as Steve takes endless grief for the fact his left eye is the only one that works. When he's not miscalculating fuel mileage at all of our races, Steve is the team's second Hollywood big-shot, not only frequenting parties as a Jack Nicholson impersonator (no joke), and appearing in such "indie" (in other words, unknown) films as "Smooth Operator" and other irrelevant movies from the '90's.

Steve is so proud of his film work, he references it constantly as you'll see. For more information on "Smooth Operator," check out this link that really tell you nothing.

As the team continues its pre-season preparation for next January's 51st Running of The Rolex 24 at Daytona, here's our next installment of getting to know one of our team members, if you consider this "getting to know."

1. YOU OFTEN GET HIRED TO PLAY A JACK NICHOLSON IMPERSONATOR FOR EVENTS. WHICH MOVIE OF HIS IS MOST FORGETTABLE?
I always thought “The Crossing Guard” was just a bit too dark even for Jack. Oh, did I ever tell you about Smooth Operator?

2. DO YOU THINK THE SHINING IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD CONSIDER PLAYING ON LOOP AT THE TRACK?
It would probably keep folks awake for the 24 but, have I ever told you about Smooth Operator?

3. MARRY-BOP-KILL. KATHY BATES, HELEN HUNT, OR KAREN ALLEN?
Thoughts of Kathy Bates in that Hot Tub keep me awake at night! Give me Helen Hunt. Even better, Did I ever tell you about Nurse Brenda in Smooth Operator?

4. DO YOU THINK JACK NICHOLSON WAS THE BEST IN THE BATMAN FRANCHISE TO PLAY THE JOKER?
Perhaps, but did I ever tell you about Dr. Geico in Smooth Operator?

5. WHY DOES TODAY'S BATMAN HAVE SUCH A WEIRD VOICE?
TIght Shorts.

6. WHAT BATMAN VEHICLE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO DRIVE?
The Batcicle

7. YOU ACTUALLY BUILT YOUR CAREER IN THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY. ARE YOU TOO OLD NOW TO KEEP UP WITH COMPUTER TRENDS?
Actually, I prefer the abacus.

8. DID YOU EVER FATHOM THE IDEA OF 'A TABLET' BACK WHEN YOU WERE WORKING ON COMPUTERS IN THE 1930's?
Didn’t the Egyptians invent that 3,000 years ago?

9. YOU'RE ONE OF THE SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE TEAM. WITH YOUR DISTINGUISHING GOOD LOOKS, PEOPLE OFTEN THINK YOU'RE THE OWNER OF THE TEAM. DO YOU USE THIS AS LEVERAGE AGAINST JOHN POTTER?
Not JP, I leverage it with the young ladies..

10. YOU HAVE ONLY ONE WORKING EYE, WHO HAS MADE THE MOST AWFUL JOKE ABOUT IT? ?
Typically it’s John Potter but, these guys are lightweights compared to my Fellow Firefighters back in the 70’s. I won’t share their nickname for me.

11. ARE THERE ADVANTAGES TO THIS?
I usually hand it to the other guy just as the bar brawl breaks out. That gives me enough time to get the first shot in.

12. YOU'RE IN A SEMI-STATE OF RETIREMENT, AND REFER TO YOUR WORK WITH MAGNUS AS YOUR FUN TIME. WHAT PARTS OF RACING ARE LESS THAN FUN?
Watching the engine blow up when there’s less than 15 minutes left in the Daytona 24..

14. WHO ENJOYS HIS POST-RACE WINE MORE, YOU, LARS GIERSING OR JOHN BEDELL?
Buy us a case and we’ll find out.

15. WHO WHINES MORE: ANDY LALLY, JOHN BEDELL, OR ANY OF THE FRENCH-CANADIANS?
Ha, I wasn’t born yesterday!!!

16. WHICH CITY THAT WE VISIT HAS THE BEST WINE?
They all do as we bring our own, but Monterey rates pretty high.

17. EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO KISS THE BRICKS THIS YEAR. IN YOUR AGE WERE YOU ABLE TO GET BACK UP?
Don’t be a wise guy, I can still get it up.

18. WHICH IS THE SECOND THING TO GO WITH AGE (we know the first)?
What did you say?

19. WHY CAN WE NEVER THINK OF A 19th QUESTION?
The answer is in Smooth Operator.

20. YOU SPEND MORE TIME WITH LARS GIERSING THAN ANYONE. DO YOU PICK UP DANISH BY OSMOSIS?
Nah, I always pick up my Danish with my hands.

21. YOU SPEND MORE TIME WITH LARS GIERSING THAN ANYONE. DO YOU GET TYPSY BY OSMOSIS?
Nope, I get tipsy by turning around too fast.

22 YOU SPEND MORE TIME WITH LARS GIERSING THAN ANYONE. DO YOU GET SURLY BY OSMOSIS?
Hey, don’t be a wise guy, did you watch Smooth Operator yet???

23. YOU FLY OUT OF ATLANTA, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE TO TAKE A SUBWAY FROM TERMINAL TO TERMINAL. WHAT'S THE WORST TIME OF YEAR FOR THE SMELL OF IT?
What time of the year doesn’t it reek?

24. WILL THE 2013 ROLEX GT CHAMPIONSHIP COME DOWN TO FUEL MILEAGE?
The answer is revealed in the closing minutes of Smooth Operator I think.

A Lap of 2012: Road America

24 Irrelevant Questions: Tucker Merten

When it comes to spicing up the team, why not add a bit of Cajun. Another seasoned veteran of the GRAND-AM circuit,Tucker Merten has been an instrumental crew member since joining in 2011. Living in Louisiana, Tucker is by far one of the most unique members of the team. Full of an amazing number of antecdotes, "product" ideas, and tales of gastronomy, Tucker is one of those guys who becomes your favorite part of the crew once you get to know him. Beyond being a veteran (and good) mechanic, he's also a great seamstress!.

As the team continues its pre-season preparation for next January's 51st Running of The Rolex 24 at Daytona, here's our next installment of getting to know one of our team members, if you consider this "getting to know."

1. YOU LIVE IN LOUISIANA, HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE SHOW TREMÉ?
Yes (10 minutes worth.)

2. DO YOU THINK TREMÉ IS PROOF THAT NOT ALL HBO SHOWS ARE ACTUALLY GOOD?
Yes Tremé and Real Sports with Bryant Gumble

3. WHICH HBO SHOW IS MORE AWFUL, TREMÉ OR GIRLS?
I have never seen Girls, but its hard to believe it is worse.

4. MOST PEOPLE WOULD CONSIDER YOU A VETERAN OF THE SPORT, DO YOU CONSIDER THAT A COMPLIMENT OR PROOF OF BAD LIFE CHOICES?
A little of Both. Racing is what happens when you are young and know more about the world than yourparents, and then flunk out of college. However, I have been able to provide a debt free existence for my family.

5. HOW MANY STORIES INVOLVING YOU AND HAVING 'THE RUNS' HAVE YOU ACCRUED OVER THE YEARS?
Too Many. :(

(editor's note: Get to know Tucker, you will be regaled).

6. YOU ARE NOT SHORT ON POLITICAL IDEAS AND OPINIONS. DO YOU THINK THE FRENCH CANADIANS ON THE TEAM UNDERSTAND YOU?
Absolutely. We agree on many political Ideas. French Canadians and Cajuns are blood relatives.

7. YOUR CREW CHIEF, JOHN BEDELL, WAS DRAWN AS CHEWBACCA ON OUR ROLEX WARS POSTER. HOW MUCH DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?
I would rather not say....

8. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF LUCASFILM BEING ACQUIRED BY DISNEY?
I think it's good for the Lucas Estate.

9. WOULD YOU RATHER TAKE YOUR SON TO DISNEY LAND OR DISNEY WORLD?
The one in Florida, they have Harry Potter World. Our team Owner is Harry's Muggle Uncle. Or at least we were lead to believe he is a muggle.

(editor's note: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is in fact at Universal Orlando, please don't sue us).

10. YOUR SON, DESPITE ONLY BEING SIX YEARS OLD, SEEMS TO HAVE MANY WORDS OF WISDOM. WHAT'S BEEN THE MOST SAGE ADVICE HE'S GIVEN YOU?
You have a penis, you are a boy.

11. THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT OF MAGNUS RACING CONSIDERS YOU THE "PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT" SPECIALIST OF THE TEAM. YOU ALWAYS HAVE NEW INVENTIONS. WHAT (appropriate) ONE WOULD BE BEST TO SHARE IN THIS COLUMN?
Either my line of unscented perfumes or my solar-powered tanning salon.

12. YOU HAVE ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE DIETS AT MAGNUS HOSPITALITY. IF YOU CONTROLLED THE MAGNUS HOSPITALITY BUDGET, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Burgers, Dogs, and Pizza.

13. ANDY LALLY OR JOHN POTTER, WHICH WOULD YOU LEAST LIKE TO GET IN A POLITICAL DISCUSSION WITH?
I do not mind discussing politics with either of them. We agree on many points and disagree on others. They both have principles and live them.

14. COULD A VEGAN LIKE ANDY LALLY GET ALONG IN THE RURAL PARTS OF LOUISIANA?
Sure, no problem. We have tons of vegetables.

15. HAS AN ALLIGATOR EVER BEEN IN YOUR BACKYARD?
Not to my knowledge.

16. ROAD RACING IS VERY MUCH AN INTERNATIONAL SPORT. WHAT OTHER INTERNATIONAL SPORT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE BECOME BIGGER IN THE US?
Cricket. This would help revitalize the Indian population.

17. SHOULD WE BE TERRIFIED OF LETTING YOU ASK AND ANSWER YOUR OWN 17th QUESTION?
Yes.

18. MAGNUS RACING HAD AN AMAZING 2012, WHAT IS THE LEAST IMPORTANT PART OF THE TEAM'S SUCCESS?
The TSA.

19. THE SPORTSCAR MERGER IS GOING TO BE A SOURCE OF ON-GOING DISCUSSION IN 2013. WHAT ARE YOU LEAST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THIS PROCESS?
Is there a wave-by, and is pit lane open?

20. WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS ON THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE?
I tried to go there on a golf scholarship. I was rejected. I'm disappointed. :(

21. WHY DOESN'T THE TEAM LET YOU INTERACT WITH SPONSORS MORE?
No clue.

22. NAME THE ABSOLUTE BEST FOOD STOP ON THE 2013 GRAND-AM CALENDAR.
Easy. Mr. Chicken. (Watkins Glen, New York)

23. MAGNUS IS KNOWN FOR THEIR COLORFUL PRANKS AND FAN INITIATIVES. WHICH IDEA OF YOURS WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO SEE IMPLEMENTED.
The " let the crew spend a day as you sweepstakes."

24. WHAT WILL YOU DO IF WE WIN THE ROLEX GT CHAMPIONSHIP?
Weep.

A Lap of 2012: Mid-Ohio

24 Irrelevant Questions: Patrick Dubuc

With only a few hours before many of us pretend to like our families for Thanksgiving, what better way to celebrate an American holiday than by meeting one of our French-Canadian mechanics? Please welcome Patrick Dubuc, from (around) Montreal. Another one of the crew who has essentially been with the team since their first race, Patrick is a staple of the team. With his flowing hair and French accent, he is by far the most over-confident of his average looks, but because he's Canadian we accept him; even if he does wear skinny jeans.

As the team continues its pre-season preparation for next January's 51st Running of The Rolex 24 at Daytona, here's our next installment of getting to know one of our team members, if you consider this "getting to know."

1. YOU LIVE JUST OUTSIDE OF MONTREAL. WHY DOES EVERYONE THERE TALK SO FUNNY?

It's the French version of the Long Island accent.

2. HOW DO THEY TEACH THE HOMELESS PEOPLE IN MONTREAL FRENCH? THAT SEEMS HARD.

We don't want them to speak French.

3. WHY DO YOU THINK THE SERIES ISN'T RETURNING TO YOUR HOME TOWN?

Not enough Burger King and Bud Light in the city for the NASCAR people.

4. WHICH FRENCH-CANADIAN IS MOST OVERRATED: JACQUES VILLENEUVE, PATRICK CARPENTIER OR ALEX TAGLIANI?

Alex Tagliani. Jacques Villenueve is not French-Canadian.

5. WHY HAS NO ONE EVER HEARD OF CLAUDE BOURBONNAIS?

Who is Claude Bourbonnais?

6. LIKE ANY CANADIAN, YOU PRETEND TO CARE ABOUT HOCKEY. WHY?

Hockey is a sport for men. Fast, rough, fights; it's always moving. Not like baseball or golf.

7. WHY DO THE CANADIAN TEAMS NEVER WIN THE STANLEY CUP?

Do you know your hockey!? Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup 24 times in 100 years. That's one every four years!!

(editor's note: no Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup since 1993)

8. WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON MALE FIGURE SKATERS?

Kevin Walker (one of our crew members)

9. WHICH CANADIAN MALE SKATER WOULD MAKE YOU LEAST UNCOMFORTABLE TO HAVE DINNER WITH: KURT BROWNING, ELVIS STOJKO, OR DAVID PELLETIER?

I do not want to have dinner with none of them, they're probably all from Toronto.

10. WHY DO SO MANY AVERAGE CELEBRITIES COME FROM CANADA?

TALENT!!

11. DO YOU KNOW JUSTIN BIEBER?

Another male skater from Toronto I guess?

12. WE'VE BEEN TOLD YOU HAVE SOME OF THE WORST TASTE IN MUSIC AT THE SHOP. THOUGHTS?

I think Nickelback , Led Zeppelin, and Taylor Swift are pretty good rock bands.

13. IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN A ROLEX GT CHAMPIONSHIP AND TAKING TAYLOR SWIFT OUT OF YOUR IPOD, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Rolex GT Championship, but i will never take Taylor Swift out of my iPod, ever......LIKE EVER!

14. WHO IS TIM HORTON, AND WHY DO WE CARE THAT HE SELLS ROTISSERIE?

Do you know your hockey?! Tim Horton was a famous hockey player, and he sells coffee (pronounced: cooaffee)

15. OUR TIRE SPECIALIST WAYNE LOLLIS IS A 'REAL' SOUTHERNER. CAN YOU UNDERSTAND HIM WHEN HE TALKS?

``hey hey``,`` no no``,`` hang on``, .......that's pretty much it.

16. NAME THREE THINGS THE AMERICANS HAVE FIGURED OUT.

euh......

17. WHO WOULD YOU RATHER HEAR DRONE ON... JESSICA BREGY (FROM HOSPITALITY) ABOUT HER NIGHT OUT, OR ANDY LALLY ABOUT THE CAR?

Andy Lally about his night out.

18. YOU HAVE WORKED WITH ENGINEER LARS GIERSING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. HAS HE EVER SMILED?

Give him beer and Thai food. He'll smile

19. WHO WOULD YOU RATHER BE STUCK IN AN ELEVATOR WITH. CREW CHIEF JOHN BEDELL OR TRUCK DRIVER ROQUE PASTORIUS?

Taylor Swift.

20. WHY CAN'T WE THINK OF A 20th QUESTION?

je ne le sais pas.............jeanguy

21. WHO ON THE TEAM IS THE WORST ROOMMATE?

Wayne Lollis, he drinks all my beer.

22. WHAT IS YOUR OBSESSION WITH NASCAR?

I hate it!! That's it.

23. OF ALL THE AMERICAN CITIES YOU'VE VISITED, WHICH ONE ARE YOU HAPPY TO NEVER SEE AGAIN?

West Palm Beach.

24. DAYTONA, INDY, OR GT CHAMPIONSHIP?

Win it again, win it again, and win it again!