Hector Arana Jr. said he hopes he has all the drive and ambition needed at 20 years old to become successful and leave his indelible mark on the world of professional stock motorcycle racing and the field of mechanical engineering.

Hector Arana Jr. is a sophomore at IU Southeast, earning a mechanical engineering degree through the Purdue extension program.

In his spare time he is a member of the crew of the Lucas Oil Professional Stock Motorcycle Team, of which his father, Hector Arana Sr., is the featured stock motorcycle racer.

The Aranas are originally from Miami. The family moved to Indiana in 2003 when Lucas Oil made Corydon, Ind. its headquarters.

Hector Arana Jr. has already had many years of racing experience.

“I have been riding bikes since I was twelve years old, and training to race since that time,” he said.

He said it has not been easy.

“I have had a broken arm and leg in two different accidents. You just have to get up and keep going,” he said.

Arana Jr. said he still has a few hurdles to overcome before his racing career can really take off.

“I plan to finish my degree before I devote all my energy to racing full time,” he said.

He said he also has some racing-related requirements to meet.

“I need to get more track and suit time,” he said.

“I will also have to get my professional stock racing license before I can race professionally. In order to get a license I will have to do three runs on a professional track one day, and three more the next with witnesses to the time I make.

“Our goal is that in two years to have me ready to compete.”

Arana Jr. said when his time comes, he will be ready.

“I have no apprehension whatsoever about racing. I just want to get out there and compete,” he said.

Hector Arana Sr. began his career in racing in 1984 at a local racetrack in Miami, racing rocket bikes and street bikes.

“I have loved motorcycles and racing all my life,” Arana Sr. said.

“After the street racing I wanted more speed so I bought more parts and eventually more motorcycles. an 1991 I went to the Drag Bike Association Races and liked what I saw, so I decided to go to a NHRA race to see what it was like. That’s when I knew it was something I wanted to do.”

His first race was the Indy U.S. Nationals, where he picked up Lucas Oil as his sponsor in 1994. He has raced and traveled on the NHRA circuit ever since.

“I have had help along the way from friends, but I am primarily self-taught,” Arana Sr. said.

Arana Sr. said he has high hopes for his son.

“My son, Hector Jr., has been training to race in pro stock motorcycle racing for years,” Arana Sr. said.

“He already has so many advantages like growing up around racing and that alone provides knowledge of the business that not many others would have access to.

“There is no doubt that he will pick up where I leave off.  I am a little nervous about Hector Jr. racing, but more excited,” Arana Sr. said.

“He will already have a crew chief and sponsorship through Lucas Oil, as well as the benefit of having me train him exclusively.”

Arana Jr. said having his father help him along the way has been a major asset.

“Sometimes it can be hard working with my father because he expects so much out of me compared to anyone else,” he said.

“It is great working with my Dad. He is so knowledgeable and teaches me so much. We have a lot of time to bond.”

He said balancing his responsibilities can be a challenge, but one worth meeting.

“It is very time consuming to go to college, work, and train, but it is worth it,” he said.

“I also help my Dad and the crew team in the summer when he is on the circuit. There is so much time invested in preparation and travel for these races.

“After all the work we wait and see if Dad qualifies and races. Then it is time to come home, unpack and get ready for the next race.”

By JENNIFER FELL
Staff Writer
jfell@ius.edu