Alberta Mentorship

Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame member and drag racing devotee Geoff Goodwin is poised to add more chapters to his proud Motorsports career….

The long time owner and operator of one of Canada’s all time most competitive Top Alcohol Funny Car operations will continue on with that mission in 2012.  And in an important team development Goodwin will help to mentor yet another up-and-coming racer.

During the final two NHRA national events last season (Las Vegas and Pomona), it was Jordan Pawlick behind the controls of Goodwin’s Synoil Energy Services-sponsored Chevy Monte Carlo Funny Car.   In what was a rather unexpected late season move, Pawlick was named as the replacement driver for Ken Webster who had driven the car previously for two seasons.

Jordan Pawlick & Geoff Goodwin

“I’ve been at this for a long time and I’ve helped to introduce a few drivers into the mix,” said Goodwin, based from Red Deer Alberta. “Ken Webster wanted to move on with his own deal and I wanted to help develop another local talent.  Ken was in fact contracted to drive until the end of 2011 but we made a positive mutual decision.  It just made sense to put Jordan in the car earlier so he could get some seat time and we could evaluate him.  It’s really a bit of a head start towards our objectives in 2012.”

Pawlick, who has raced his own TAFC (Dodge Avenger former Kevin Therres car) on a limited basis, was also previously a crewmember for Goodwin’s team.

 “Jordan had been with our crew for about two years and we got to see his habits as a hard worker.” Geoff continued.  “That combined with his experience racing his own car made for a logical choice.”

The Synoil Chevy Monte Carlo is widely regarded as one of Canada's most competitive Top Alcohol Funny Car operations.

For the 28-year old Pawlick – when the phone call came — the reaction was quick.

“I had planned on hanging up the reigns for while with my own car,”Jordan revealed.  “About two months ago I was called back down from the North (Fort McMurray) and Geoff asked me to do some hits in the car.  Then about a week later (in September) I was told I could drive the car the rest of the season.  My first ever race was at the NHRA national event in Las Vegas.”

Pawlick managed to qualify solidly at his first race – hitting 6.002 secs to make the field at Las Vegas#13.   During the subsequent NHRA Finals at Pomona his best run of 6.035 secs missed the quick cut.

“I did manage to get my feet wet during the last couple of events of the year,”Jordan added.  “We did have to work hard to make the car fit me so that I could drive it properly.  I knew that I was being evaluated and my objective was to do well so that I could land this as a full time ride.”

Goodwin’s team’s on-going saga is of course highly dependent on sponsorship and in that department they are deserving recipients of support from Calgary based Synoil – a very highly reputed name within oil field industry related specialty fluids and services.    Synoil have been loyal backers of the team operation since 2004.

“Synoil have been the key to both our longevity and success,” added Geoff.  “Over the years they have supported all of our decisions including changing drivers.  They understand that Top Alcohol racing and Canadian drag racing is a real test and that it needs support.  We are fortunate in that they share our vision.   I am pleased to announce that they will be once again backing us again 100% in 2012.”

It is also important to note that Geoff Goodwin’s team is also noted for helping to mould  other up-and-coming drag racing careers.  One very intricate example of that involves Goodwin’s long time crew chief and tuner Wally Protz and his son Ryan.   That father and son combination, the primary brain thrust behind the cars operation, is another clear case of passing on the torch.  Ryan Protz is already widely regarded as one of Canada’s top drag racing tuner prospects.

Posted by Bruce Biegler – Photos by Bruce Biegler

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