Brian's monster a hit with sprint fans.

OUTLAWS
By Colin Smith
Tauranga, New Zealand
(January 25, 2006)

SPRINT cars with more than 800 horsepower aren’t the only monsters on track at Baypark Speedway’ “Best of the Outlaws” international event which starts tomorrow night. 

The less ferocious “Who Monster” appears on the car of Pennsylvania Outlaw racer Brian Paulus.

Paulus created an original cartoon character for No 28 P&P Racing Maxim three years ago, a move which has been especially popular with young fans in the US.

“The ‘Who Monster’ idea develo9ped in2003 when we no longer had a major sponsor.” says Paulus.

“The car was plain white and fans used to just walk by, not knowing we were one of the Outlaw teams.  My friend, a promoter, suggested I design a happy monster for the car to get attention.”

The idea has since developed into a series of characters and two children’s colouring books. 

“I went a few steps further, giving it a story, a name (the red monster is Remo), and doing the colouring books.”

“The kids love it – and parents too.  The car has an identity again.  We’re the ‘Who Monsters’ car.  Hopefully we will get more recognition this way and maybe sign on a major sponsor.”

Paulus, 32, who hails from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania has raced in Australia three times and is on his first visit to New Zealand. 

He’s been a regular with the traveling Outlaw circuit in recent years with a best ranking of eighth in 2003.  He won three World of Outlaws feature races in 2005.

“I’m looking forward to racing at a new track,” says Paulus.

“It’s fun to visit another country where they share our love of sprint car racing and the fans should get to see some excitement as the best of New Zealand get to challenge the best of the United States.”