CHARLESTON -- Keep your eyes open for the blue and gold 1980 Chevy Camaro equipped with a 498 big block engine capable of traveling the quarter mile in 8.80 seconds and a prominent Friends of Coal logo. Greg Fowler of GDF Consulting, and driver of the Friends of Coal race car, is headed out on the International Hot Rod Association (IRHA) circuit with the goal of capturing a number of racing titles in 2011.
When he is not behind the wheel of the Friends of Coal Camaro, Greg conducts pre-blast surveys and hydrology work for a number of coal companies. Following a successful 2007 season, Greg formulated a plan to combine his vocation and his avocation with a plan to promote the industry via his race car.
Greg and the Friends of Coal first teamed up in 2008. In 2010, Greg maneuvered the car to a win at the Sports National event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania which qualified the team for the Tournament of Champions race at the World Finals in Richmond, Virginia. The team made an impressive showing, placing third in the World Finals. Following the race, Governor Manchin presented Greg with a certificate of merit honoring his racing accomplishments. The 2011 racing season will once again take the team across the United States and Canada.
In addition to racing for the checkered flag, the team will make promotional stops across West Virginia, at a number of locations and events including, but not limited to, schools, fairs and festivals, and the Friends of Coal Auto Fair. At speeds up to 155 mph you don’t want to blink or you might miss all of the excitement.