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| Features |
| A Tribute to Thomas Argy, Jr. |
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by Rhonda Mims-Brown
 | Tom Argy, Jr.
(RMB photo) |
Thomas Argy, Jr., was a friend and associate to so many of us in karting. To others, whom he had yet to meet, he seemed larger than life because he worked hard to make everything seem that way. For those who got the opportunity to know him, he was easy to talk to about the sport of karting that he loved. Aside from his valued role as a father, husband and son, he was a promoter, a race director, a safety advisor, businessman, consultant, video producer, tour guide, driver manager and so much more. He was one of kart racing’s biggest advocates whose shoes can never be filled the way he managed to fill them, nor walked down the paths he walked.
Born on March 28, 1956, the Niagara Falls, N.Y., resident has had a passion for karting since an early age. He’s known to have traveled a million miles and has spoken a million words to help advance American karting to professional levels. His untimely death in an automobile accident Nov. 10 has left a void in our sport. While his death was a shock to almost everyone, the location of his death while on the road was no surprise to many of his close friends because he spent most of his time on the road going from race to race.
Tom, as he was known by friends, is survived by his wife, Sarah, son Tom Argy, III (Tommy), daughter Alisa, loving mother and a multitude of family and friends. What many have attempted to focus on since his death is the way in which he lived his life. In all accounts, it was an intense and fulfilling one. Tom’s days were spent doing a collection of tasks related to his entrepreneurial endeavors - many of which were for the direct and unselfish benefit of karting.
 | | Tom's son, Tommy, was among his favorite proteges |
“He was one of the few people in karting who was in it for karting,” said race promoter, John Nuttall of Raceway Kart Association. His primary occupation was as a safety official for NASCAR where he traveled to more than 30 races a year on the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule. For most, this would be all they could carry, but Tom managed to fill a lifetime of achievements into a short 30 some years since he became involved in karting.
Tom’s personal business away from NASCAR was TCM Racing, a consulting, management and promotional company he formed to advance the sport through his vision. The associations he created through TCM Racing were enormous with branches that spread into virtually every conceivable area of karting. Everything he touched was extreme. He lived life as a propagandist and was a born promoter who was filled with more gumption than Barnum and Bailey combined. Everything he wrote and said was full of exclamation points, capital letters and big bold font styles. While his written word was a nightmare to a news editor, many couldn’t help but love him because it was his nature and a big role in what set him apart as a human being.
His position as a race director extended to the highest caliber of events where he earned an excellent reputation for rule and safety enforcement and in fairness to all. “I considered Tom a good friend and there were times, he’d come down hard on me, but it was the right thing to do,” said Mack McCormack, a five time national karting champion. Well known for his record-long driver’s meetings, he wanted to make sure everything was understood and clear. Not only did he cover what would be going on in the race, he used the meeting as an opportunity to teach others which he loved to do.
Among the most high profile races he directed were the Rock Island Grand Prix, the SKUSA SuperNationals and World Finals, the Rotax Grand Nationals and countless more. In fact, he was proud to say he’d been the director hired by every US organization in existence today and for some outside of the US.
“Tom will be remembered in our industry as a dedicated enthusiast and the gruff big race director who was always fair and consistent with his calls,” said Joseph Ramos, President and CEO of SSC Racing who manages the Rotax series. I best remember Tom as a very sensitive big hearted guy who loved the karting industry and was always looking for the next opportunity to help our business grow. I saw the big guy cry when he had to tell drivers at a drivers meeting in Oklahoma that he would not be returning as SKUSA race director. He dearly loved the sport and better yet, he loved all who competed in it,” Ramos added.
 | | His final driver's meetings at the Rock Island Grand Prix last September |
One of his most successful ventures as a race director was for the Rock Island Grand Prix where he joined the popular Illinois street race in the late ‘90’s. “Ask any racer and they will tell you that Tom always treated the competitors fairly and impartially, and safety was always the primary concern. That, combined with his vast knowledge of the sport, is too rare in karting. It’s the main reason we hired Tom – and he never disappointed us,” said Roger Ruthhart, President of the Rock Island Grand Prix (RIGP) who has built a close relationship with Tom since their initial event together.
He grew to love the Rock Island Grand Prix as well and wanted to establish it as an exclusive world-wide event and helped the circuit obtain certification from the FIA-CIK. “He was here a couple of days a year, yet would remember the hotel clerks, police officers, sponsors, volunteers, the pizza guy -- often by name. He would go out of his way to help people trapped in the downtown area by the maze of fence, and would carry on small talk with customers from the gay bar, or senior citizens leaving the dinner theater. It seemed like he was friends with everyone in town.” He was like family to us and we will never be able to replace that,” Ruthhart described.
Tom was also dedicated to teaching others in the area of safety, event staging and the promotional and marketing efforts associated with the sport. He spent much of his time as a consultant and hosted seminars to assist in the educational levels with a goal of increasing professionalism. Among those were his workshops held at the Kart Expo, a large karting trade show, held each year bringing in thousands of people in the trade and active as drivers. One of his seminars was the Track and Club Workshop; it was quite popular and covered every thing from billboard sales to radio communications to flagging and safety issues. His other well attended seminar was focused on sponsorship.
“Tom was a staple at Kart Expo,” said Darrel Sitarz, Expo Producer. “Almost since its inception, he was presenting seminars on sponsorship, track promotion, and others subjects. I never had to ask him, he would ask me, ‘You want me to do a seminar, don’t you?’ When the show moved back to Chicago in 2001, the date was the same weekend as the Daytona 500. Tom had promised to do a seminar at the show and later he realized it was during the Daytona weekend. He called me and said he’d still be able to do the seminar if I could move it back to Friday, instead of Saturday when it was originally scheduled. True to his word, he flew (at his own expense) from Daytona, presented the seminar, stayed around for Q and A and flew back that afternoon. There aren’t many people who would do that,” Sitarz explained.
 | Tom in NASCAR action
(photo by John Nuttall) |
In between all of the seminars, he often manned his TCM Racing booth and every time you’d walk by, he was busy chatting it up with others while selling his series of videos. "He was a crowd pleaser and he loved to talk about karting” Sitarz added. His gift for gab could go into the record books of all night conversations with many involved in the sport. Each of his captives walked away with a rich and meaningful experience.
His involvement seemed to increase each year with a great deal on his desk. He was a tireless man who seldom slept and took on numerous roles. Among this year’s encounters was the formation of TAG USA, an organization focused on the growth of the new 125cc electric start engine he viewed as the perfect concept for the weekend warrior. He also saw an outlet for the two-cycle factories since the CIK-FIA’s decision to move into a new four stroke format in the near future.
The original concept started last January while he was in England for a karting expo and quickly developed from there, according to friend Dave Larson, President of the International Racing Association and friend of Tom who was with him in England. Numerous conversations during a follow up trip to Italy were focused on the subject and soon after, TAG USA was formed.
As head of the organization, he created the US series and met with many of the engine importers and industry leaders to help formulate a set of rules and standards for the class. TAG USA is in its infancy and only beginning to take off. Again, his goal was to develop it into more than just a racing series where he envisioned branches to an international format through TAG Racing International and an endurance series that hosted its first race this year at Kartways of Arkansas. TAG USA now has rules, a board of directors and a head of tech. His vision was for it to be adopted throughout the country and world-wide and a unified and consistent rules format for the racer. Many hope it will become his lasting legacy.
When not busy with NASCAR, the RIGP or TAG, other involvements this year included the creation of a nation wide talent search for karting’s best mechanic in association with NASCAR, he was an advisory member to NIMA, National Interscholastic Motorsports Association, a tour guide and a driving force behind the organization of High School Karting. His vision for this project was for every school to have its own kart racing team. Only a few could actually drive, but others could work on the engines, learn to tune, do media promotion for the team and learn how to obtain sponsorships and more. It’s a great vision that hopefully someone will continue.
The NIMA is an association spearheaded by Kartways of Arkansas owner, Gary Smith, to get high school students interested in vocational and technical aspects. Tom was also glad to help with good causes, especially those involving kids. He continued to follow the careers of the young drivers he’s worked with and watched those who have advanced in the sport. He was proud of their achievements and tried to stay in touch.
His participation as a tour guide took him often to Europe where he’s made several trips this year and numerous others throughout his career. One such trip was last January where he organized and hosted a group with eight people associated in the sport. They visited eight karting manufacturers and two race tracks in Italy, among his favorite of countries to visit because he loved good wine and Italian food. Tom was well-known as, “Mr. USA,” his nickname given by many Europeans whom he had befriended through his travels. His first trip to Europe was around the early 80’s where he assisted as a wrench for an American driver. He later returned with American teams to compete in the World Karting Championships and also with a team who competed in Cordova, Argentina.
Since then, he’s escorted many people to Europe and South America in a way 14th century explorers ventured out to open up the doors of trade for those in the United States. He helped greatly with many introductions and established friendships along the way. It was Tom who escorted SKUSA CEO, Jim Murley, to Italy and introduced him to the factory heads and argued that replacing the motorcycle engines with the ICC purpose-built engine would be good for the sport, according to Ruthhart. Much of his vision was ahead of its time.
 | | Group meets Achille Parrilla (far back) at the Italsistem plant |
“If you had the opportunity to actually travel with Tom to Europe, you could understand how respected he was with the heads of the major factories. They (the factory owners) would stop whatever they were doing and talk with us for hours just because we came with Tom,” said Ruthhart. “And, not only did he know the factory presidents, he knew their families. He knew the drivers – Mike Wilson, Danillo Rossi, Beggio and Max Orsini were also personal friends too,” Ruthhart added.
One special factory association was with the CRG chassis manufacturer, among one of the most popular importers to the US today. “We at CRG always enjoyed our particularly warm relationship with Tom which transcended a simple business karting relationship and grew into a strong brotherly friendship. He was a man who genuinely loved what he did. But above all, he loved helping those who weren't able to help themselves. We will miss him and pay great tribute to Tom for all that he has done for karting in America,” said Giancarlo Tinini, CRG factory owner from Italy. The CRG factory has dedicated their 2003 Formula A Championship Win to Tom as a special recognition in his honor.
Each day, Tom would awake with a new idea and scheme lurking inside his head. Every minute surfaced another way to help the sport grow. Aside from his continuing efforts to teach son Tommy and prepare him for a future in racing, his next dream was the creation of a Karting Museum and Hall of Fame. Perhaps this was in the works for his later years after he’d grown tired of travel. His vision was for it to be in a central location like Rock Island. He could already see all the karting greats gathering each year for the Hall of Fame induction. He could already see a museum filled with artifacts, vintage chassis’, historical trophies and photographs from days gone by. I am sure that someday this museum will surface and Tom will be a part of it in history and in spirit.
Ironically, Tom died en route to the final series stop for the 2003 NASCAR season at Homestead, Florida. One race was left before he could focus the remaining days of the year for his 2004 ventures.
Ruthhart was only one of many close friends to Tom, others, whom he communicated with weekly included Bob Palladichuk, Dave Larson and many more who all feel a deep loss from his passing. “Today my spirit is crushed and my heart is broken,” said Ruthhart the day he died. “I know I will always ask myself, ‘what would Tom do.’ I don't think anyone in the industry really realizes how many little things he did for people, business connections he caused, phone calls he made, how he tracked kids' careers ... out of no financial gain at all ... just because he loved the sport.”
“Tom, we'll miss you. There's no doubt you took the checkered flag when you entered the Pearly Gates,” offered Bob Cycon, friend, former partner of Kart Marketing Group and Editorial Consultant to The Inside Track .
A photo gallery of Tom will be set up soon in the EKN Ribtect Photo Gallery with images we’ve collected. If you have a special shot to add, please submit to news@ekartingnews.com in a jpg file format for consideration. To view the images in the gallery, click on the “photos” link at the top of the navigation bar. Once inside, select “Thomas Argy, Jr.” to view the images and check back often for additions.
Special thanks go out to Roger Ruthhart, John Nuttall, Bob Palladichuk, Dave Larson, Darrel Sitarz and Bob Cycon for their assistance with this tribute.
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