August 3rd 2001 Question and Answer with Russ Wicks

Q. What is the best idea you've ever had?

Wicks: Asking Bernie Little to let me drive the Miss Budweiser.

Q. Worst idea?

Wicks: Writing my phone number on a $100 bill and giving it to a girl that I just met with the expectation that she would call.

Q. What has been your most clever marketing idea?

Wicks: Sending CEO Larry Ellison an Indy Car helmet that was custom painted in Oracle's colors with his name on the side.

Q. Most embarrassing moment?

Wicks: During the Climb for Leukemia up the Columbia Tower, rather than pacing myself I ran full speed until I passed the previous winner.   I then passed out and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.   I still get teased about that.

Q. There are only a handful of people that have ever been 200 mph in a boat and a car, any plans to bump your mark to 300 mph?

Wicks: In addition to the American Challenge water speed project I'd love to do some runs in a Top Fuel Dragster.

Q. Private Jet or Greyhound?

Wicks: Private Jet.   I have experience with both, once on the same weekend.   In 1988 I flew to the Indy 500 in a private jet.   I missed the flight back and ended up taking a Greyhound Bus back to Seattle.

Q. Favorite place to hang out?

Wicks: On the water, or at GameWorks.

Q. Favorite cartoon character?

Wicks: I have two, Racer X and Bugs Bunny.

Q. Favorite actress?

Wicks: Is Cindy Crawford an actress?

Q. Any interesting adventures planned for the near future?

Wicks: Go down in a shark cage, and up with the Blue Angels.

Q. What is the most dangerous thing you've ever done?

Wicks: Whatever I am doing tomorrow, because I haven't survived that yet.