John Gianelli - Go carts to Formula Ford racecars to meals on wheels, all he ever wanted was to drive.

What's Next? With Steve Blasen

John Gianelli started Swift Engineering as well as Fast Forward Components. Building, setting up, and designing Championship Formula Ford Race Cars, turning his passion into a profession! He is now retired and serves as President of Meals on Wheels of Salinas Valley.

John and his wife have been coming to me since the early days in Salinas. I had such a great time talking to John. His passion for racing cars started at such a young age. His father had a career in aviation which required some travelling. Although born in Texas the family returned to California and settled in Southern California. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, the car culture/race culture was thick. His father one day brought home a go-cart, and he started racing. On John’s 21st birthday, his father bought him racing classes at the Willow Springs Raceway. With slick tires introduced, John was priced out of racing but began building and importing race cars. John teamed up with people who wanted to build an American Version of what they were importing from England and started Swift Racecars. Their first Formula Ford build won many national championships. A job offer in Laguna Seca relocated the two to Monterey County. Still involved in racing at the time, he was involved in founding Fast Forward components. Aviation re-entered his life and flew planes as a hobby for over 20 years. He flew with his father twice in his life and was happy to return to aviation. Currently in his eighth year of retirement, he is the current President of Meals on Wheels of Salinas Valley. John started off delivering, then preparing and packaging for Meals on Wheels.

I hope you enjoy this podcast!
Originally recorded September 9, 2022