My Profile:
Paul Bayne
Born June 13, 1964
Lockport, NY
6'8" 320lbs
Gemini
Married with one daughter Neleh (5 mo.) and one son Curtis (15), from a previous marriage
Three sisters Lisa (40), Lori (38), and Kelly (35)
Father is Lloyd D. Bayne of Lockport, NY / St. Pete Beach, FL (deceased February 2003)
Mother is Judith B. Greene of Charlotte, NC
Favorite Color: Orange, Purple
Favorite Number: #24
Favorite NASCAR Drivers: Jeff Gordon (#24), Carl Edwards (#99), Jimmy Johnson (#48)
Favorite Late Model Drivers: Rick Eckert (#24), Wes Steidinger (#s9)
Favorite Food: Lasagna, Porterhouse Steak, Chicago Stuffed Pizza
Favorite Drink: Colorado Bullfrog, Mud Slides
Favorite Music Genre: Alternative Rock
Favorite Movie: Couldn't possibly name just one. I am a movie fanatic!
Favorite Actors: Gene Hackman, Brian Dennehy, Ben Stiller, James Earl Jones,
Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Wesley Snipes, Denzel Washington, Will Ferrell
Favorite Actresses: Halle Berry, Rene Russo, Susan Sarandon,Tai Leone, Bridget Fonda
Education:
I attended high school in Frankfurt, Germany and graduated in 1982. I then went two years to Niagara CCC in Sanborn, NY before transferring to Valparaiso University on a full athletic scholarship to play basketball in 1984. I graduated from Valpo in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education.
Personal:
I was married in 1989. However, that ended in an unfortunate divorce in 1992. I have a 14-year-old son whose name is Curtis. He himself is very tall, and actively participates in team youth sports. I remarried on Valentine's Day of 2003 in St. Augustine, FL to my new wife Cathy. We were blessed to have our first child, Neleh Caitlyn Marie, on October 16th, of 2004.
How I Make A Living:
For better than ten years, I've made my living as an investment casting machinist in LaPorte, IN near South Bend. I also work on weekends as a motorsports journalist for such popular publications as National Dirt Digest, Behind The Wheel - LateModel America, Midwest Racing News, National Hawkeye Racing News, as well as, DirtAmerica.com, WhoWon.com, 220.com, St. Louis Racing.com, and RaceStarPublications.com. I have covered such events as the UMP Hoosier Series, UMP All Stars, UMP Summernationals, UMP Fall Nationals, UMP Modified Thunder & Lightning Series, Northern All Stars Series, Sunoco American Late Model Series, The Eldora Dream, and the World 100. I was recently selected as a voting member of the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, and a voting member for the National Dirt Late Model Top 15. I also actively cover racing action at Kankakee Motor Speedway (IL) on Friday nights, and Crown Point Speedway (IN) on Saturday nights. Also, I have undertaken the art of web design, and have web sites for two top young UMP drivers, Wes Steidinger & Sean Seavers, both from Illinois. Steidinger now runs the UMP Late Model ranks, while Seavers works for ESPN and ABC Sports. Seavers competed on a part-time basis in the open-wheeled modified division several seasons ago, and it is not known what the future holds for Sean and his racing endeavors.
Racing Background:
My interest in auto racing stems back to the days when my father and me traveled from track to track to both compete and watch friends race. We traveled around the upstate New York area and parts of southern Ontario. All part of that local mystique that brings friends and neighbors from all walks of life together for a shared passion.
Some of the drivers we associated with included Jerry Cook, who at one time was the competitions director for the NASCAR Featherlite Modifieds Series. Cam Gagliardi, his son Kim Gagliardi, Billy Colton, Roger Treichler, Merv Treichler, Sege Fidanza, Ross Holmes, Davey Cramer, Pete Hayes, Maynard Troyer, Jim Rudolph, and his son Chargin' Charlie Rudolph, a former 1986 Mr. DIRT champion. My Uncle Ed Ortiz, a DIRT Hall of Fame inductee. My Uncle Rick Ortiz, who left racing with my Aunt Jan's urging. Now comes a second generation driver, Jipper Ortiz, son of Ed, and my second cousin. Jipper is currently the flagman at Ransomville (NY) Speedway, and is now the current two-time ARANY Pro Stock Champion, having won at Syracuse just this past October for the second year in a row, and leading every lap the past two years. He also builds what he calls the Stinger Pro Stock chassis, and anybody who is anybody in NYState Pro Stock circuit, has one. He has made our entire family very proud.
I still have aspirations of someday driving myself, though that window of opportunity is fading due to numerous health problems and the rising financial costs associated with competing in the sport itself. But never say never, is the attitude I take, for you never know when that opportunity will present itself.
My Online Racing Career:
I got my start in online racing when I stumbled across the game Dirt Track Racing in a local computer software store while looking for a gift for some friends. Soon enough, after strapping into the cyber late model for the frst time I was hooked. It was good to be a kid again! I have been at this game and similar games for over a year now, and have quickly become one of the hottest, most competitive drivers around. I currently have 30 A main victories to my credit. I would not be the driver I am today if it weren't for the tireless efforts of Don Rarity, Jerry Carnathan Jr., Chris Murphy, and of course my nationally recognized teammates at UnderDog Racing, that include Rob Keller (PA), Paul Whitten (TN), Bobby Lassetter (GA), Scott Calder (GA), Jeff Kittell (CA), Wayne Farnsworth (PA) and Shane Sharrock (AUS), whom I recruited during my trip to Australia, June of 2000. To date, I have recorded nearly 50 sim racing victories in all, including six track championships.
Residence:
I found my way to the Midwest in 1984 on a basketball scholarship to Valparaiso University. I graduated from Valpo with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education. I still reside in Valparaiso, IN with my wife Cathy, of one year, from Bourbonnais, IL, and daughter Neleh. Cathy and I met at Kankakee Speedway over ten years ago one August evening and have been together ever since. We purchased our first home in June of 2001, in Salt Creek Commons Valley, also in Valparaiso.
