Paet Hidalgo

Paet James Hidalgo "(pronounced pate - he-dall-go)", was born June 5th 1962 in Portland, Oregon USA and spent most of his youth growing up between the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. The second generation Filipino-Spanish American is the son of former thoroughbred racehorse jockey and multiple leading rider champion Cerilo P. Hidalgo. With racing in his genes but a physique that ruled out the possibility of becoming a jockey, his father began bringing him to the local Quarter Midget track in Hayward, California where he learned to race on four wheels, reluctantly alongside his older and younger sisters; who were really much more interested in horses and eventually left Paet to make motor racing his specialty [ [www.seattleu.edu/home/news_events/magazine/details.asp?elItemID=MAG_1154] ] .

A decision by Paet’s divorced parents resulted in a move back to the Pacific Northwest, where his mother and stepfather settled in Redondo, Washington, a scenic waterfront suburb of Seattle located on the Puget Sound. A racing enthusiast and good amateur driver in his own right, Paet’s stepfather carried on with the motor sports influence by exposing him to Formula 5000, SCCA Trans Am and Can Am circuses when they made their stops at Seattle and Portland International raceways [ [seattlepi.nwsource.com/archives/1989/8901110941.asp] ] . It was at these storied Northwest venues where Paet, an impressionable adolescent learned firsthand about the greatness and purity of the sport and its stars; including the brilliance of Mario Andretti, Mark Donahue, Vic Elford, Dan Gurney, David Hobbs, Parnelli Jones, Sam Posey, Clay Regazzoni, Swede Savage, Jody Schecter and countless other greats of the era.

Influenced by a unique path to the pinnacle of international auto racing traveled by greats including Mike Hailwood and Jean Pierre Beltoise, Paet began motorcycle road racing under the mentoring of WMRRA president and multiple champion Bruce Bille. With little experience but quick success the momentum once again was interrupted, but this time because of a lack of funding and an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the prestigious Seattle University on a private scholarship [ [https://my.seattleu.edu/portal/render.userLayoutRootNode.uP] ] . After five years of undergraduate studies at Seattle University and the University of Washington, the one-time intern for former US Attorney John C. Merkle, shelved his interest in a law career in favor of immediate entrepreneurial opportunities and a chance to return to organized motor racing [ [gammaracing.com/team_hidalgo_schedule.html] ] .

Following a successful three year association with the Jim Russell British School of Motor Racing, Paet rapidly ascended the professional auto racing ladder, quickly becoming a multiple winner, champion and popular competitor in several professional series [ [www.autocourse.ca/archives/usa/fatlantic/1989-E/fatlantic.htm] ] . Concurrently Paet became a sought after driver coach by celebrities and pro athletes and privately instructs aspiring drivers, and on occasion lends his services to the Sports Car Club of America. Paet has also appeared in television commercials precision driving behind the wheel of some of the world’s top automobile brands and has appeared in the popular TLC series "Chronicles of the ER" and consulted on films including "Kart Racer". An articulate spokesperson, Paet's public speaking skills and education have made him an effective representative for many companies and their respective brands. [ [wellnessportal.freelife.com/index.cfm?fuseAction=canada.CID_02_006] ]

Paet’s racing experience and success has taken him to Asia and Europe and spans the ALMS, FIA, ChampCar, Grand Am; and includes IndyCar and Formula Atlantic, Toyota Atlantic, Formula 3, Formula 3000 and Sports Cars [ [www.messengerracing.com/press200211c.html] ] . Teammates have included: Craig Baird, Johnny O’Connell, Yannick Dalmas, Margie Smith-Haas and Boris Said [ [www.racecar.com/story.asp?NewsID=15603] ] .

Paralleling his on track career Paet’s education, creativity and business acumen have given rise to many innovations and successes, that have involved business ventures in mobile electronics, cellular communications; automotive service and aftermarket; equestrian and action sports industries. With a keen interest and aptitude for commercial promotion, Paet developed a successful parallel career in corporate business, designing and implementing intellectual property and branding strategies for established companies as well as start-up brands; and has consulted to help other top-level sports entities with their marketing programs, including; Chris Dickson and his Tag Heuer Challenge America’s Cup team and the IndyCar team of Roman Kuzma and Keith Leighton [ [findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4385/is_200701/ai_n18894997] ] .

References