Being an NHRA Safety Official is an important job, and reporter Mike Aguilar sat down with long-time friend and former racer Don Irvin, an an NHRA Safety Official, to find out how he got started in racing and what his job really entails.
Don likes his job, just stresses how important it is to pay attention to the safety of everyone involved, but also how fun it can be. Don was once a drag racer himself and couldn't stay away from the strip for long, so he became an NHRA Safety Official and gets to be around his favorite sport all the time.
Mike Aguilar: What got you into drag racing?
Don: Basically my competitive nature. There was also the realization that street racing wasn't going to take me anywhere and could be hazardous to my freedom. I really enjoyed the feeling of adrenaline rush of light-to-light in street racing. once I got involved with NHRA-sanctioned racing, I loved the adrenaline buildup, waiting for the Christmas tree to cycle through to green and the thump when the car took off from the line.
Mike Aguilr: And when did you officially retire from the sport of drag racing as a competitor?
Don: I officially retired as a driver shortly after attaining my dream of winning a national meet at the 1986 Gatornationals.
Mike Aguilar: Why did you start working as a safety official after retiring as a driver?
Don: I love the sport. I couldn't stay away from it for long. I joined the NHRA Safety Safari as a way to stay close to the sport of drag racing.
Check out the full interview here.