The Fork in the Road
One Decision Can Change Your Life
During my stint as a race car driver, I had a lot of decisions to make, both on and off the track. On the track, traveling at speeds of up to 175-mph, those decisions had to be split-second, and usually made in anticipation of a possible scenario; waiting for a situation to present itself meant any attempt at decision-making would likely be futile.
Off the track, decisions revolved around all kinds of things, from the routine (engine maintenance) to more worrisome (money matters) to existential (remaining true to my values in an expensive sport). None of these matters required split-second decisions, rather they were the kinds of things I could spend time on, weighing the options I had and the pros and cons of one decision vs. another.
One of these decisions fell under the heading of MONEY. Race car driving is an expensive sport. I was not wealthy, so I was limited in ways my competition might not be, including the fact that there were races I could not afford to enter.
So, when a lucrative sponsorship opportunity from Budweiser came along, I was thrilled. Initially. I was also conflicted. Would driving a car that advertised an alcoholic product be in keeping with my personal beliefs, with my Christian faith? I had to do some soul-searching.
Leading up to that offer, I had won 11 of the 17 races I had competed in (I could not afford to enter more than that number or I would have), and I had set three track records. I was doing well on the racing circuit and knew I had caught the attention of some deep-pockets companies. Yes, I was good—something I say with modesty—but I was also aware I could barely afford this art.
Not long before, I had made a sponsorship deal with a cousin who owned a beer distributorship in the same town as my auto repair shop, Clark Import Repair. I kept and maintained my racecar, the Lola T560 Formula Atlantic, there, and he noticed it needed a paint job. I made a deal: he would pay for a new paint job—in red—and I agreed to have the words “King of Beer” on my rear wing and “Budweiser” on the front nose. (I still had “Praise Jesus” painted on the back of the wing; when I won a race, it was a great message.)
Although mostly racing as an amateur in SCCA )Sports Car Club of America), I was finally able to enter my first professional race. An hour-long race at Brainerd International Raceway. I qualified in the middle of the pack of 25 cars. At the start I was tucked directly behind another car and entering the first flat-out corner when the leaders touched wheels and sent cars flying. I briefly saw some fiberglass in the air when my car hit the car in front, smashing the nose and destroying my radiator. I made it into the pits but the race was over for me.
Unbeknownst to me, my local sponsor had invited a number of Budweiser executives to the race, and despite the crash, they were impressed with my operation. We were wearing the Budweiser jackets that were part of my sponsorship agreement, and we also had a Budweiser banner up in the paddock.
That following Monday, my cousin came a calling; Budweiser wanted to offer me a full sponsorship. We’re talking big money.
I struggled with the decision but in the end I had to say, “no thanks.” I just did not feel right accepting that offer because of the connection to promoting alcohol consumption. It seemed to be a bad decision financially—but it was the right decision for my soul. I slept well that night. Sometimes you might make the wrong decision for the right reasons.
Have I thought about that decision over the years, wondering how my life might have been different had I accepted the deal? Absolutely. Would I have gone on to become a brilliant, wealthy, famous Formula 1 driver? Who knows?
Which leads friends to ask, “Do you have regrets about your decision, turning down all that money?” My answer never waivers; it’s always, “No, I don’t.”
As an entrepreneur, you’ll need to keep your business viable financially. That can be challenging. When you find yourself facing a choice for fast money at the cost of your conscience, however, I urge you to listen to your better angels. I’m certain you won’t regret it.
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Godspeed!
Your fellow-dreamer and doer,
Bruce D. Clark
If I can do it, anyone can!