Team OBI and Orme Brothers Inc. Hit Another Milestone
October 16, 2004
Team OBI and Orme Brothers Inc. hit another miles stone on October 16, 2004. Joel and Jonny headed to California Speedway in Fontana, CA to attend and participate in the Fun Ford Weekend event being held there. While the car had made its maiden voyage several days earlier at LACR (Los Angeles County Raceway) in Palmdale, CA, the car and team became official with its first qualifying pass for FFW's Street Renegade class. That pass clocked a 10.93 e.t. (elapsed time) at 130.39 mph. Anyone knowing the sensitivity of a new car with new drivers can certainly understand how happy the team was to set an all motor baseline with these extremely respectable numbers. For those not familiar with the racing industry from a car team's perspective, they can share in the excitement of knowing the car is already going super fast and faster is the only word we understand.
Joel and Jonny would personally like to thank everyone that made this possible for us. From sponsorship dedication, to the late nights their personal friends spent helping them; Joel and Jonny understand that these people deserve praise beyond words. And, let there be no doubt, that without their parents and families, this project may possibly still resemble the beat up four cylinder mustang they pushed into the shop for the first time, looked at, and wondered what in the world they had gotten themselves into. Their families truly sacrificed the most with the long hours and continuous runs to the local parts store. Joel and Jonny were glad that at least mom and "THE DAD" were able to be in Palmdale to see the fruition of true dedication come at last. The brothers do understand that the car will probably go back into hiding for a while as Jonny continues to battle his leg injury that seems to have taken on a life of its own. In a true show of family importance Joel is willing to sit idly by as doctors reconstruct Jonny's ankle from hell, but having made six passes on the car the speed itch is there and we all know he'll be chomping at the bit to get back in the drivers' seat.
This event was also a major event for Orme Brothers, Inc. as a corporation. When the board of directors voted to allow Joel and Jonny to create a team and run it as a division of the overall business it's wasn't completely clear if they were aware of the importance that decision carried with it. While family has always remained an intrical part of every operation at Orme Brothers Inc., the company was bought in early 1984 by Jim Orme, son of Joel Melvin Orme, one of the original brothers. In essence that changing of the guard turned it from "Orme Brothers" into one Orme and hopefully someday sons. With Team OBI being concepted, created, developed and now operated by Joel and Jonny Orme, the concept of the "Orme Brothers" has retuned. Joel and Jonny are honored to become another part of the Orme Brothers Inc history. More importantly they understand their place in Orme Brothers Inc. extremely important family heritage. Hard work, luck, and time will tell the tale of their success or failure as a race team, but as "Orme Brothers" and as partners in the sense that their grand-father and two great uncles were, Joel and Jonny have huge shoes to fill. Fortunately they are left with a nearly perfect set of blue-prints to follow.
