Hey there my name is Sean Greenwood and I am the South African but now American guy that some of you might and might not understand from time to time. I certainly am honored to be invited by Timbercats to tell you a little bit about my self, especially since I have only been part of Christian Racing for a short period of time.
I was born just out side Johannesburg SA some 43 years ago. I have been married for 15 yrs to Teresa (AKA The Government) whom I met at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. This from a guy who was never getting married, after 3 months we were engaged and a year later married, stranger things have happened. We have a daughter Shannon, me personally not big on the breeding thing. I attended the local Catholic School for a good part of my schooling eventually ending up in a technical school studying Hotel Catering and Management. After school I did my 2 yr?s national service in the Army driving armored vehicle?s and due to my training was eventually transferred to the kitchens. I have worked in quite a few different industries from catering, motor industry, IT and medical so a jack of all trades.
Before immigrating to USA in 2000 I ran a consulting company, consulting for 2 companies who specialized in the IT industry, repairing and configuring PC?s and networks for a wide range of companies. In June 2000 we immigrated to the USA and found ourselves in Toms River NJ. Teresa is an RN and we were sponsored through a company on a 2 yr contract. She came over in 1997 for a conference in Philadelphia When she arrived home, said that we should consider immigrating as from what she saw compared to SA it would be a great place to bring up Shannon. So the process was started, and yes it can take 2 yrs or more to immigrate. Having never been to the USA it was quite an eye opener for me and loved it so much we became citizens in 2006. I worked for CompUSA as a tech manager eventually ending up in NY City branch. I am also an EMT-B and worked for a company in dispatch.
From a motor sport front, I was unfortunately doomed to love racing. My father took me to my 1st South African Grand Prix in 1969 or 70 can?t remember and have been to everyone since I have had the pleasure of watching some of the F1 greats of those early to late years. When I finished the army I joined Kyalami Marshals Association on Fire and Rescue. I eventually ended up as a back to a Paramedic in a fast response car where I was primly there for fire and medical 2nd. A few events that I have marshaled are F1, Moto GP, SBK, German Touring Cars and of course all local stuff. I?ve had the pleasure in meeting various drivers from Jacques Villeneuve, Jenson Button Nelson Piquet and Mick Doohan to name but a few. I had the immense pleasure of speaking to David Piper after he had crashed a pretty old Ferrari at Kyalami. He used to race Porsche 917s etc and brings a lot of his collection to circuits around the world for those who wish to travel down memory lane. I attempted twice to go racing my self after purchasing a super single and a Yamaha RD 350 but unfortunately nothing came of this and my old motor bike now sits on the governments left finger. I am currently a SCCA member and do some flagging at the new NJ Motorsport Park where ARCA ran on a road course for the first time in many years.
My online racing career started here with Christian Racing, although I had been driving Sims since 1999 from the original Grand Prix, GP3 and GP4 only racing against the PC. Other MODS that I own are the original Grand Prix Legend?s, GTR 2 and Rfactor. It wasn?t until seeing an add on RFactor Central for the Champ Car Series that I decided to sign up with Christian Racing on Sunday nights with Mike Ruder. I had tried a few times online with very little success as we all know what that?s like. I can still remember telling Ray that not to worry about a stock car number as I will only be racing on Sunday nights and that I have been known to fall asleep behind the wheel while practicing in a NASCAR. At first I was hesitant and then with much arm bending etc I bought ARCA and have since got into stock cars. Thanks to all those who had a hand in that, I now look forward to racing most nights with a great bunch of guys.
Cheers
Sean
