This year, our Person in Motorsports Award goes to two people who help make ProFormance a welcoming and thriving organization.
Every year at ProFormance, the Dennis Peters “Person in Motorsports Award” recognizes and honors the people who have given their time, effort, knowledge, and expertise to increase the popularity of motorsports in the Northwest and make our school the best place to achieve your trackside dreams. The award is named after a cherished ProFormance instructor whose good cheer and professionalism set a standard that others strive to meet.
This year, we tip our hat to triple-threat Dave Conover, instructor, race driver, and graphic designer, and Tim Petersen, long-time flag marshal who has kept drivers well-informed and safe on the track.
Dave Conover
Dave Conover first came to ProFormance in the capacity of graphic designer, having worked with a major design group that served Boeing and other clients. “Don (Chief Instructor Don Kitch Jr.) needed posters and illustrations for Daytona. I’ve been there ever since.”
Dave’s role at ProFormance expanded with his purchase of a track-suitable Miata in 2003. Don invited him to take the One-Day High Performance Driving Experience. Like so many others, Dave was hooked. He moved on to lapping and then got his racing license. Spec Miata is his racing class of choice.
On to instructing
Lapping and racing, together with his close friendship with Don and Chief Admin Donna Porada-Kitch, led to Dave’s becoming an instructor. In addition to instructing at ProFormance since 2007, Dave put in a decade as an SCCA Chief Driving Instructor, and has also instructed with IRDC, NASA, and the Northwest Alfa Romeo Club. “I love it,” he says of his instruction.
Don once asked what the greatest accomplishment of a driving instructor is. We agreed it’s the final session, where your students give you five good laps. That’s when you know you’ve done a good job. It’s all about making the student’s day. If they achieve what they wanted to do, we’re a success.”
Winning designs
You’ve seen Dave’s work — and possibly worn it — if you know ProFormance’s caps, jackets, t-shirts, and other branded merchandise. Dave applied his talents to make those items reflect the ProFormance identity and spirit. They’re considered some of the best-looking merch in the industry. He’s also created some stunning and effective graphics for SOVREN, the Pacific Raceways Invitational, and many other motorsport-related pursuits.
Apart from supporting Don and Donna in their dream of building ProFormance Racing School, Dave’s stand-out memory is going to Le Mans with Team Seattle in 2009. “It’s a dream you have in the back of your head, but because of Don’s hard work, we got there.”
Tim Petersen: unflagging support
Drivers and instructors are only part of the scene at ProFormance. It takes a staff of dedicated people to keep things going smoothly and safely on track. Among those staffers are the flag marshals who perform crucial jobs: watching the time, wrangling the groups of lappers, and facilitating communications between the paddock and the drivers.
Tim Petersen has been performing these vital duties for many years. Thanks to his skill and vigilance, ProFormance and Pacific Raceways offer a safe and professional environment for drivers to satisfy their need for speed.
Back in the early 2000s, Tim was helping out at the Motocross track. “I looked over the fence at the road course, saw sports cars, and I’m thinking, ‘what are they doing over there?’” He asked how he could help. He found that he could do more than help – he became an indispensable asset to the local racing scene.
Community is what counts
“In the Northwest, you can’t be much of a motorsports fan without noticing that the center of gravity revolves around ProFormance, Pacific Raceways, and Team Kitch.” All three of them welcomed Tim into the racing community, and he’s occupied the niche ever since, having honed his expertise in the language of trackside communication.
“I’m grateful and blessed to have the second-best seat in the house” — (second only to the race car’s driver’s seat, of course). The community, the leadership from Don and Donna, all the other staff at Pacific, it’s been an honor to be part of the team and the community.”
We congratulate Dave and Tim. The Person in Motorsports Award is our way of thanking them for their long and dedicated service, as well as their cherished friendship. The next time you’re at the track, let them know you appreciate these two remarkable people!