The Follow A Dream Team
Harry
"Jay" Blake, Founder and President
Jay Blake is the founder and president of Follow A Dream.
As crew chief of the organization's Alcohol Funny Car , he
is the only totally blind crew chief in the worldwide sport
of auto racing. Jay's passion for cars and racing extends
well back to his youth. He has more than 15 years experience
as a professional auto mechanic and more than 20 years in
drag racing, including as a crew member and crew chief on
a Super Comp Dragster racing team. Along with performing the
majority of mechanical work, Jay is responsible for the organization's
management, operations and community outreach programs. |
Driver - Marty Nothstein
In
2007, his sophomore season of racing, Marty won divisional
races at Bradenton, FL and St. Louis, MO. Qualifying in the
top half of the field at every race entered, he also set top
speed at 5 races during the 2007 season. Prior to embarking
on a career in the world of drag racing, Marty was a professional
cyclist. One of the most recognized and accomplished cyclists
in the world Nothstein has won an Olympic Gold Medal in Sydney,
and a Silver Medal in Atlanta. He is also a 35-time U.S. Nationals
Champion, 3-time World Cycling Champion, 4-time Pan-American
Games Gold medalist and World and Olympic record holder. As
Executive Vice President & COO of the Valley Preferred
Cycling Center, Marty is fulfilling his personal and heartfelt
obligation to help steer American track cycling back into
medal contention. Marty is a dedicated father of two and makes
his home with his wife in Eastern Pennsylvania. Hunting and
fishing are two of Marty’s favorite pastimes. |
Tuner - Tom Howell
As the tuner for Follow A Dream, Tom Howell brings 15+ years
experience as a professional technician and crew chief in
drag racing. Tom is responsible for all tuning decisions and
data analysis of the racecar, and collaborates with Jay on
routine service of the car. Tom won a championship with Don
Florence Motorsports and crew chiefed for Paul Femino’s
Blue Chip IHRA Funny Car. Tom’s experience also includes
working with Marc Rowe Race Cars, and serving as crew chief
of super modifieds as well as off-shore racing boats. Tom
is self- employed through T. Howell Lettering and holds a
degree in graphic arts. |
Co-Crew Chief - James
C. Blake
Jim
Blake is vice president and treasurer of Follow A Dream. Jim
has 28 years of racing experience including multiple top ten
finishes in the New England Points Series. In 1987 Jim debuted
what would become the World's Quickest Clean Air Dragster,
powered by propane. In 1993 Jim was awarded "The Sportsman
of the Year Award", by his fellow racers. Jim assists
his brother Jay with managing Follow A Dream and is a full-time
manager for Eastern Propane & Oil in Danvers, MA. |
Clutch
Specialist-Charlie Mitchell
Charlie attended his first drag race in 1977, and
has been involved in drag racing ever since. In 1984 Charlie
founded CJM Transmissions, where he built transmissions and
rear ends for street rods and racecars. Charlie has also worked
with Follow A Dream tuner Tom Howell on Paul Femino's Blue
Chip IHRA Funny Car. Charlie is a graduate of ITT Technical
Institute and is a medical instruments manufacturing engineer
at Seabrook International in Seabrook, NH.
|
Machinist-Alan Hadfield
Alan
Hadfield, is a machinist and crew member for the Follow A
Dream Team. He brings 20+ years experience with him. As a
mechanic, Alan has the diversity needed for consistent operation
and maintenance making him a good choice to be a strong support
for the team. Alan is a long time supporter and crew chief
for his son’s Junior Dragster, “The Cape Codder
Junior.” Alan has participated in many regional drag
racing events as well as the Junior Dragsters National’s
in Maryland. |
Lower End Technician-Scott Osborn
Scott
is owner and operator of Wide Load Engineering, a company
specializing in custom automotive restoration and fabrication
service geared towards repair and research and development.
Scott joined the Follow A Dream Team in 2004. He graduated
with a degree in Welding Engineering from Wentworth Institute
of Technology in Boston, MA.
|
Crew Member- Joe Mitchell
Joe
attended his first drag race in 1991 with his father Charlie
Mitchell and has been a fan of racing ever since. Joe first
began working on racecars in 2002, where he worked with his
father on Paul Femino’s Blue Chip IHRA Funny Car for
several years, learning the fundamentals of a Top Alcohol
Funny Car. Joe is a big hockey fan and plays in a league with
friends during his down time. Joe is a truck driver for National
Copier Logistics.
|
Clutch Assistant - Mark Reardon
Mark
has had an interest in cars since he was sixteen years old,
painting, fixing and building them to go faster. His background
includes working as an auto technician for twenty years, and
he is currently an auto damage appraiser for a major insurance
company. Mark also has a passion for music and entertainment
and is the owner of Happy Time Productions, a mobile DJ service.
He and his daughter Katie joined the Dream Team in 2004. |
Office Manager – Terri Donlon
Terri brings many years of business experience to Follow
A Dream, having worked in the corporate sector for most of
her professional career. With a background in business administration/client
services, Terri provides the support necessary to keep the
organization’s office running smoothly. |