A PERSONAL NOTE FROM PETER PEIRANO…
Heather and I are well known in the area and we take pleasure in our support of numerous sporting groups, events and associations in this area. I am a Foundation Member of the Rockhampton, Capricorn Rotary Club and my continued involvement and relationship with this association has resulted in the presentation to me of The Paul Harris Fellowship. 2015 will see my 10th year in a row as Club President after which I plan to step down to allow others to continue in this role. Rotary has been very fulfilling. I have spent a number of years as the District Insurance Officer. They are a very powerful organisation and to me my greatest achievement is the continual effort to eradicate polo. I am on the Committee of the Central Queensland Amateur Race Club and am constantly involved with the organisation of the Central Queensland Amateur Race Day, one of the biggest events on the local racing calendar. I am now a Patron of the Central Queensland Amateur Racing Club having done my duties as a Committeeman and then as President.
2014 was the very first time that Heather and I attended the Melbourne Cup which is another one to cross off the Bucket List. Having previously managed up to 3 horse racing syndicates at a time which are unified together under the title of Rock Vegas Racing. Each of these syndicates comprises 10 members and all share my love of thoroughbred racing. You cannot buy the feeling that you get in the local Woolworths when your horse wins a race and your fellow shareholders are there to share it! Now Heather and I are both have a token share in the Rockhampton Jockey Club’s Syndicated horse which hopefully will be offered every year.
More recently, I have been involved with the education of young people, through the presentation of workshops within local schools. I firmly believe that by educating our next generation during their Tertiary years, we will provide them with a greater understanding of the insurance industry, and show them why this is such an important part of everyday life. These workshops have proven very successful and as a result, I have been invited to present at similar workshops arranged by government departments. I am hoping that these workshops will result in our community having a greater appreciation of the Insurance industry and the part it plays in modern life.
Heather and I share a passion for all types of Motor Racing. For a period of ten years, my family and I were involved with competitive Go-Kart racing. This led to my eldest son, Nathan, winning many Qld State titles and being crowned Australian Rookie Champion. We very much enjoyed our involvement with Go-Kart racing, however our passion evolved and our spare time is now consumed by our latest obsession – competitive Drag Car Racing, competing nationally in “Supercharged Outlaws” class. We currently have both boys, Nathan racing the Piranha Hotrod now powered by a TFX all American drag racing engine and youngest son Zachary in the Lexus Toyota Penguin F.E.D. (Front Engine Dragster). Life is always about dreams and a few years ago, on a trip to Bakersfield, we purchased the Time Traveler. And now are proud to be a part of the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car show competing all over Australia. Both boys alternate driving. We were fortunate enough to knock off the American Ron Capps in the November event in 2013 and this year we will do our best to upset Tommy Johnson Jnr. Whilst personally rewarding, racing the TFX Piranha Hotrod, the Penguin F.E.D. and the Time Traveler Nitro Funny Car is like no other experience.
Whilst personally rewarding, racing the Hot Rod, F.E.D. & “Time traveller” Nitro Funny Car has also helped us to successfully promote local businesses to the rest of Australia, with my most recent achievement, our association with the Real Deal Motor Sports Insurance Scheme. This scheme is enabling us to promote our local area to Motor Sport racing teams nationally, again helping to boost the Central Queensland economy.
We have had many highlights including two ANDRA National Drag Racing Association Gold Christmas Trees but 3rd place in 2013 Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car Spectacular Extravaganza at Sydney Dragway in 2013 was the biggest. In the final run, Nathan beat professional racer, Ron Capps all the way from the USA in spectacular fashion. The highlight of my family’s Drag Racing career to date is unquestionably our round win at Willowbank Raceway on the 3rd of January 2005 and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who made this possible.
We continue to put back into ANDRA Championship drag racing, Nathan recently took on the position od ANDRA Divisional Director & I remain as Alternative Divisional Director. Heather remains on the board of Queensland Council of Insurance Brokers as well as locally board of Capricorn Enterprise. The more you put back into this world the better it makes you as a person.
Peter A. Peirano.
