RACER.com: Day in the life of Doug Kalitta

[robinjackson]

NASCAR writer Kelly Crandall, introduced to NHRA a few years back by the Kalittas, follows Doug on a day at work:

A day in the life of an always-moving Doug Kalitta

It’s quarter past eight on a Thursday morning in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Doug Kalitta is making the rounds. Kalitta Turbines is the first stop, the aircraft engine maintenance and repair shop. As …

racer.com

 

[mick]

excellent article

 

[BaldyLochs]

Doug has some great people around him. That business never stops operating; so he needs a powerful group to run it while he’s away.

 

[4onthefl4]

"A closed-door visit with the family lawyer in a section of the building where his business has set up shop to be nearby."
An in house lawyer! Really! I'm impressed.

 

[Butch]

And just think of how it all began, Connie flying a small plane.

 

[J. S.]

And just think of how it all began, Connie flying a small plane.

And if I recall my drag racing history correctly, he bought that plane with the prize money from when he won the Winternationals in 1967.

 

[4onthefl4]

And if I recall my drag racing history correctly, he bought that plane with the prize money from when he won the Winternationals in 1967.

I believe you are correct. Then, if my old memory still works, he started flying parts for Ford.

 

[Flicka]

I believe you are correct. Then, if my old memory still works, he started flying parts for Ford.

Back in the 70s, it was rumored that Bob Daniels suggested.He learned to fly during the off season

 

[sutton]

Years ago I would take needed parts to Connie at Pomona for his landing gears. (I was the west cost procurement rep. for the landing gear company) and Connie told me he had just bought a DC-10 from a Sheik and sold the Gold out of the plane for more the he payed for the airplane. It was faster for Connie to take the parts with him after the race, than to ship them. Connie is a true self made multi Billionaire. Doug has his company that performs greatly needed medical transportation services among other things.
Larry Sutton---

 

[kegs]

Didn’t all this happen when he was suspended?

 

[4onthefl4]

I don't know if this is true or not, but knowing how smart/lucky Connie is, it's probably true. He sold his flying service to a company that couldn't make the payments, so he got his company back and kept all the money. Legally, of course.