FastLines International is an alliteration of a private employee club formed in the early eighties at the Ford Aerospace and Communications Corporation's (FACC)* Western Developments Laboratories (WDL) facility in Palo Alto, California by myself and Composite Materials Engineering Manager Harold Hillesland.

Harold's department built the carbon fiber composite tub (chassis) to the Bob Riley design of the front-engined Ford IMSA Mustang GTP race car.The WDL Composite Materials Lab was chosen because of its long history of building space satellites from exotic materials.The "management," of Ford Aerospace determined that the project could not interfere with the everyday operations and required that the Ford Motor Company (of which, Ford Aerospace was a wholly owned subsidiary) project could only be worked on after hours!

*Ford Aerospace and Communications Corporation employees were derisively referred to as "FACC'ers."

It was only after the Composite Materials Lab delivered the first two chassis ahead of schedule and under budget and the race car won the very first race in which it was entered (Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 21st 1983 driven by Tim CoConis and Klaus Ludwig), that the Ford Aerospace WDL "management," took an interest in the project!

When I arrived at WDL, I knew the history of the Zakspeed Turbo Capri as raced in Europe and the Ford Mustang bodied version that raced in the International Motor Sports Association's (IMSA) GTP class here in America.

I had intimate knowledge of the Turbo Capri having worked for 1978 Deutsche Rennsport Meister (DRM) Harald Ertl in the operation of his racing car show in Mannheim, Germany, for two years. I also had intimate knowledge of the value of promotion, working with the Ertl company and my association with European Formula Drivers Association (EFDA) Managing Director Dan Partel.

I was astounded that Ford Aerospace had not taken advantage of their motor sports connection, either internally or externally! There were no motorsports posters or Tee Shirts or hats-Nothing! I also learned that many of the employees of Ford Aerospace had added another 'F' to the name meaning a sexual act. Not understanding my place in the grander scheme of things I decided to act!

Through perseverance and blind faith, Harold Hillesland and I got together and set about changing the perception by arranging for a personal appearance of 1984 SCCA Trans Am Champion Tom Gloy (Left) and his Mercury Capri at the Ford Aerospace facility.

Certain members of the company's "management," did not approve of our actions and when we offered to make it a regular occurrence, we were told to cease and desist!

The Employe Programs "manager," was upset that we had done something that committed the company to "something!" (his words, not mine) When we asked why he wanted us to stop, his answer was. "Because I said so!" I can remember my mum saying the same thing. If I didn't listen to her often, I was definitely NOT going to listen to this Bozo!

It was then that we learned that the company encouraged employee clubs. Ford AeroSpace Team (FAST) came into being and the newsletter, FASTLINES and the FAST sticker (Right) followed. During the time that FAST flourished, we arranged personal appearances by Scott Pruett, Willie T Ribbs, Lyn St. James and Bob Bondurant. Jack Roush parked his Trans-Am Racing Team in our parking lot during an Employee Open House! We had numerous appearances of the IMSA Mustang GTP racer. We sold tickets to events at Sears Point (Infineon Raceway) and (Mazda Raceway) Laguna Seca. Members of FAST met the CEO of Ford Motor Company Harold A. "Red," Poling (That's Mr. Poling and me on the left) in casual surroundings. Whatever it was that I had committed the company to, was certainly appreciated by Ford Motor Company!

I left the company in 1995, after we had gone through a pair of M&A's (Mergers and Acquisitions) and took FAST and FASTLINES with me.

Actually, I was called into my project manager's office. He said. "You are our intelligence expert." To which I answered. "Yes." He then said. "Well, we don't need intelligence anymore." I saluted smartly and walked out the door. Never looked back!

I created "FastLines International," and the website www.fastlinesinternational.com in 1994 as a "contacts website," on a MAC II. The buttons take you to pages that contain numerous links to sites that I find interesting. For instance, I have a couple of pages about women in motor racing. I have a section on the European Formula Drivers Association (EFDA) and their over twenty-year history. I chose the EFDA Team USA Nations Cup emblem for the logo because of my involvement with EFDA.

Below Left to Right

1.Ford Motor Company CEO Harold "Red" Poling meets some FAST Troops. BTW the guy in the blue shirt on Mr. Poling's left is my co-conspirator Harold Hillesland! 2. 1984 SCCA Trans Am Champion Tom Gloy signs posters for Ford Aerospace people. 3.Lyn St. James autographs for a FAST Member. 4. Bob Bondurant tries out a 289 Cobra in the Ford Aerospace parking lot. 5. Scott Pruett meets the FAST Gang.