Hardcore50:   Randy, how long have you been drag racing?

Randy Eakins:   Since I was out of high school, and a few years beyond that. 1993 is the year I started racing street cars.
 

Hardcore50:   Randy, it seems you came out of nowhere to win WFC5 in 2002. What is your racing background prior to running in Pro 5.0?

Randy Eakins:   When I first started racing in the street series, it was in a GMC Syclone, with all wheel drive, and a turbo V-6, in NMCA's EFI Heads up class. Prior to that, I raced as most people do, late high school and for a while after, and in the 60’s.

Hardcore50:   What’s been the biggest challenge to your racing program this season? Compared to last season?

Randy Eakins:   Both seasons have been similar; both have been very different from when I ran the Corvette. We spend so much time working on the car, resealing head gaskets, trying to get the clutch program where we need it to be. Sometimes working 60 hours a week, and spending so much of our time off from work putting the car back together. Quite often,  our combo hasn’t been started or run until we arrive at an event. If we can finally get where we can keep the motor on target, get the clutch program going and meet the requirements as they change, then we’ll get a better handle on things.
 

Hardcore50:    What would you consider your biggest accomplishments as a racer?

Randy Eakins:    Monetarily WFC5. But being able to go to the track and run with the best.
 

Hardcore50:    What’s the hardest thing about keeping competitive?

Randy Eakins:     The time that it takes to do what’s needed, there are only 24 hours in a day. As you get older, it takes more time and energy.
 

Hardcore50:    What’s gotten you hooked on the Mustang drag racing scene?

Randy Eakins:    When I was running the Corvette, 3 or 4 years ago, we dominated the class. People were trying to get rid of turbos, nitrous racers complained they wanted us gone. So the environment wasn’t friendly. In looking at the Mustang racing scene, they were turbo friendly, so we figured why not build a Mustang, and we tried to duplicate a lot of what we had accomplished with the Corvette.

Hardcore50:    What is the most difficult aspect of keeping a car such as yours racing, and going rounds?

Randy Eakins:    Consistency. Being able to duplicate our runs with changing track and weather conditions, on a high strung car.
 

Hardcore50:    What are your plans for the future?

Randy Eakins:    We're going to try and sell the car, we feel it will make a great car for someone wanting to run the 10.5 Outlaw scene. We're looking to buy a used Pro Stocker or possibly build a new one. And run some FFW events, where we can run at weights of 2550lbs, versus 2800 in NMRA/PRO.
 

Hardcore50:    What changes, if any, do you feel the sanctioning bodies need to make in order for our sport to prosper?

Randy Eakins:    It looks like they are all thriving pretty well. The only thing I would say is to be more racer friendly. I feel FFW will be at the head of the pack.
 

Hardcore50:    Do you favor some of the recent rule changes that the NMRA has set forth? Namely, the weight break adjustments made in May?

Randy Eakins:    Well, they are trying to level the field. I feel they didn’t go far enough.
 

Hardcore50:    Who are your biggest friends (or enemies) at the track?

Randy Eakins:    On friends, I hope that is everyone I meet. I don’t dislike anyone.
 

Hardcore50:    Who do you fear seeing at the starting line? Why?

Randy Eakins:    Anybody that has another turbo, they’ll have power and run fast.
 

Hardcore50:     How do you motivate yourself?

Randy Eakins:    The love of the sport does it for me.
 

Hardcore50:    What would tell someone looking to start out in the heads up racing scene?

Randy Eakins:    Just pick one of the least expensive classes, where you can hang in and learn, gaining some experience.
 

Hardcore50:    What do you do for a living? And how do you find the time to continually travel and make all the races?

Randy Eakins:    I own rental properties, and a small environmental clean-up business. It’s difficult but I have some talented people to cover while we're gone. We try to apply as much time to our business as possible. We love our work as much as racing, often times, just like this past weekend from Norwalk, we drove home at the end of the race, all night. I went straight to work, and did that all day. Then I drove 16 hours round trip to Dallas and back.
 

Hardcore50:    Very briefly, tell us the dumbest mistake you’ve ever made at a racetrack?

Randy Eakins:    There’s so MANY, I hate to pick one! I hate to put less importance on any of them. Hopefully, I’ve learned from my mistakes.
 

Hardcore50:    Anyone you’d like to thank, wives you have to thank, other things mentioned you feel are important?

Randy Eakins:    First of all my wife Michele, if it wasn’t for her understanding I couldn’t race. Harry and Dan from Precision Turbo. Craig Liberty has worked hand over fist to help our program.
 

Hardcore50:    Any nicknames for you? Who gave it to you? Why?

Randy Eakins:    If anyone has given me a nickname, they haven’t said it to me!
 

Hardcore50:    Do you have any kids?

Randy Eakins:    No.
 

Hardcore50:    Do you have any pets?

Randy Eakins:    My wife has 3 pet cats, “Momma Cat” mother of “Junior” both of which have no tails, and “Puddy” the cat. They all behave like dogs, which come to you when called.
 

Hardcore50:    What do you like to do as a hobby outside of drag racing?

Randy Eakins:    3 & 4 wheeling on the Mississippi River when we can, and Radio Controlled Helicopters.
 

Hardcore50:    What track do you dislike the most?

Randy Eakins:    I don’t know I hate to say anything negative about any track. What I don’t care for is racing on a narrow track.
 

Hardcore50:    Which is your favorite track to race on?

Randy Eakins:    Norwalk is my favorite, super conditions and friendly people. Actually, I would like to add St Louis and Memphis; all three are usually in real good shape. St Louis and Memphis go out of their way to prep the track, when we go for testing, which we appreciate.
 

Hardcore50:    Anything additional you would like people to know?

Randy Eakins:    We like to race, we really enjoy it, win or lose.


On a personal note, I found Randy to be a gentleman, kind and thoughtful, a real pleasure to interview. And for Hardcore readers, I must note, he enjoys this site, and has used it for the information it provides during race weekends, when he was unable to attend. And Randy said, he thinks it’s one of the best of its kind!

So with that being said, Randy we think (Hardcore) you are one of the best! Thank you for all you’ve done by bringing a class act to our sport!

Cindy Edwards