Interview: ROBERT HIGHT - new life in Utah (2 Viewers)

[robinjackson]

People were wondering about Robert Hight and his departure from racing and new life in Utah.

Well, here's the story from the man himself, interviewed by a couple of his trap-shooting buddies.

Hight looks fit, well and happy. He drops one or two hints about his change of direction -- met new wife, loved the racing but less so the rest. His comments about shooting at altitude (around 49 minutes, if I recall) will ring bells with drag racers. Merry Christmas.

 

[Rocket Man]

People were wondering about Robert Hight and his departure from racing and new life in Utah.
Hight looks fit, well and happy. He drops one or two hints about his change of direction -- met new wife, loved the racing but less so the rest. His comments about shooting at altitude (around 49 minutes, if I recall) will ring bells with drag racers. Merry Christmas.

New wife? Wasn't he married to John Force's daughter Adria? Maybe there is some relation to his leaving JFR and starting a new life. On the other hand he had an incredibly sucessfull career in racing and maybe just wanted to move on to the next thing.

 

[robinjackson]

Yes, he was married to Adria Force, and they have a daughter Autumn. However, they parted some years back.

 

[J]

People were wondering about Robert Hight and his departure from racing and new life in Utah.

Well, here's the story from the man himself, interviewed by a couple of his trap-shooting buddies.

Hight looks fit, well and happy. He drops one or two hints about his change of direction -- met new wife, loved the racing but less so the rest. His comments about shooting at altitude (around 49 minutes, if I recall) will ring bells with drag racers. Merry Christmas.

He looks well bc he was never sick lol

 

[Jack]

1. They divorced back in 2017

 

[you]

Very strange that, throughout the whole interview, he never once mentions he was John’s son-in-law.

 

[GGLAD]

He looks more relaxed in this. He always looked uncomfortable in the NHRA interviews to me. I would probably be the same way.

 

[Funnycarfanatic]

Very strange that, throughout the whole interview, he never once mentions he was John’s son-in-law.

Because John has nothing to do with his business. He's moved on no reason to bring him up. He brought a lot of JFR and he left he's moved on no reason to bring up John

 

[65 Goatboy]

They did mention John a little bit in the beginning talking about Robert's previous career.
Robert has a subdued personality, always seemed a little uncomfortable in the spotlight with all his success in the Nhra.
Was really impressed with Shotgun Works, forgot he started out as a crew member for JFR worked his way up to clutch man on John's car and then got his chance to drive.
Never really understood all the crap he got on social media. He drove a nitro FC for 19 years won 3 championships and then decided he'd had enough and retired. He didn't want a lot of attention and fanfare, not his style. Yes it's strange he just disappeared, he must have known it would start all kinds of rumors but that's what he chose to do. It's his life.

 

[J. S.]

They did mention John a little bit in the beginning talking about Robert's previous career.
Robert has a subdued personality, always seemed a little uncomfortable in the spotlight with all his success in the Nhra.
Was really impressed with Shotgun Works, forgot he started out as a crew member for JFR worked his way up to clutch man on John's car and then got his chance to drive.
Never really understood all the crap he got on social media. He drove a nitro FC for 19 years won 3 championships and then decided he'd had enough and retired. He didn't want a lot of attention and fanfare, not his style. Yes it's strange he just disappeared, he must have known it would start all kinds of rumors but that's what he chose to do. It's his life.

He must not mind SOME fanfare and attention or he wouldn't be in a Youtube video.

The daughter has been racing Jr dragsters for a few years. I wonder if she will move up the ladder into some big cars?

 

[tb]

He must not mind SOME fanfare and attention or he wouldn't be in a Youtube video.

The daughter has been racing Jr dragsters for a few years. I wonder if she will move up the ladder into some big cars?

Autumn Hight, 2023 at WWTR, Super Comp. this was 2 1/2 years ago. long paste JR. Dragsters.

 

[J. S.]

Autumn Hight, 2023 at WWTR, Super Comp. this was 2 1/2 years ago. long paste JR. Dragsters.View attachment 16731

Thank's Terry for that update. I didn't recall her racing in Super Comp. Next stop, A/Fuel??

 

[DanTheFan]

Ok now I feel old. Watched the Force girls grow up at the track and now Autumn. There was a blank space between her riding in the tow car for dad and her current racing ventures.

 

[You!]

He started with JFR at the single car shop on La Palma along with then new hires Antonelli and Poynter. Already there was Coil, McCarthy, Westmoreland and Fisher.

 

[twostep]

I'm glad to see Hight doing what he truly loves and calling his own shots. I've owned businesses where I was in the same position and I've been involved in businesses where there were partners. Fortunately I was able to divorce myself from the partnerships before they put me either in the nut house or the poor house. Never, EVER again will I embrace a business that I don't have total control over.

John Force is a great showman and arguably the greatest drag racer of all time, surpassing even Don Garlits, and a perennial fan favorite. But I would have never lasted as his employee; he would have fired my ass (or whipped it) within a week. No fault of his; who doesn't admire Force's tenacity and what he's accomplished. I could never live up to his expectations of 24/7 devotion to his racing operation and his intolerance for anything even remotely representing relaxation.

That's the fight in the man; he'll never stop fighting and what a fighter he is. But when a relationship becomes a mix of oil and water it's time to move on. All the best to him, Hight and others who are and once were a part of JFR.

 

[tb]

One of the things I took from the interview, was the interviewer, and how much he enjoyed his times at Norwalk and spent a few seconds trying to talk the other guy into going to a race,

This is how you grow the sport.

I did this to one of my Indy Car buddies during 2020, he went one day to WWTR, I go 3. He called after that event and ask if I could put him on my renewal, for the weekend of course I did. he has been going every year and has a great time. Due to some health problems I cannot make it back at this time, told him I was dropping my tickets. We called the track and had them transferred to his name. He called and was all giddy he was signed up with tickets and parking already with a race in October.

Like I said this is how all of us are going to grow this sport.

 

[65 Goatboy]

Ok now I feel old. Watched the Force girls grow up at the track and now Autumn. There was a blank space between her riding in the tow car for dad and her current racing ventures.

John keeps talking about the Grand Kids. He's not just blowing smoke. All they need is one or two more along with the parents taking over when John is out of the picture. It may not be the JFR of 2026 but I hope they can keep it going.