TOPEKA, Kan. (Feb. 3, 2017) -- The 2016 ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv® Mechanic of the Year is Richard Hayes, of the Colorado Region, who is crew chief for Formula F driver Andy Melvin. The honoree is chosen each year by the technical staff at ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv® based on submissions received through a survey completed at ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv.com or through email invitation.
The ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv Mechanic of the Year demonstrates a commitment to his craft and to the drivers he supports. Hayes has been an ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv member since 1993 and displays an unparalleled work ethic. He prepares, transports, coaches and puts his driver in a position to win during every single ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv weekend.
In their first full season together, Hayes and Melvin have made great strides. After a first-turn incident at Road America in 2015, Hayes repaired the heavily damaged racecar in time for an event the following weekend in Kansas. In 2016 at the June Sprints, the mechanic and driver worked together to achieve an amazing victory, a first for Melvin at the Chicago Region's iconic event.
As evidence of the bond Hayes and Melvin share, consider the 2015 ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv National Championship Runoffs® at Daytona International Speedway. While belting Melvin into the racecar, Hayes’ phone rang and he briefly took the call to learn of his mother’s death. He bent down into the cockpit and informed Melvin of the news. The driver then stood up and gave Hayes a huge hug. The duo then got right back to work to put Melvin out on track.
Everyone at the ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv congratulates Richard Hayes for a job well done.
Photo: Formula F driver Andy Melvin on track thanks to the hard work and dedication of crew chief Richard Hayes.
Photo Credit: Shawn Lumley
