Robert Rose

If you’ve spent any time in NASA’s Arizona Region, chances are you’ve encountered Robert Rose. He’s a charismatic figure, whether he’s recruiting new talent to the Spec Miata class, helping out in HPDE downloads, or competing in Spec Miata and Time Trials. Robert is the energetic nucleus of the region’s racing community, a man whose passion for motorsport is as vast as the Arizona landscape.

“Folks know me as the high energy guy with seven children and has been on eight different teams with a bunch of different goofy team names,” Robert says with a characteristic laugh.

This “high energy guy” is a whirlwind of enthusiasm, a trait that has defined his racing journey since he first hit the track in 2006 as a lone Mazda Miata swimming in a sea of Chevrolet Corvettes. Fifteen years on, that fire still burns brightly, fueling his role as Arizona Region’s Spec Miata leader and chief evangelist.

Robert likens his approach to a modern-day Tom Sawyer. “I call it the Tom Sawyer effect, where I start painting the fence, make it look really enjoyable and then put the brush in everyone else’s hand and just step away and let them find out how great it is,” he explains. His method is clearly effective. The Arizona Region now boasts an average of 16 Spec Miata cars per event, a significant leap from the days when only a handful would show up. While Robert is quick to credit his predecessor, Paul Perkins for laying the groundwork – “Paul did the heavy lifting and got the group off the ground,” he notes, adding, “A lot of it was timing” – his influence in fostering the class’s growth is undeniable.

When he’s not mentoring or teaching, Robert is a fierce competitor in both Time Trial and Spec Miata. For him, Time Trial isn’t just a warm-up; it’s a priority, a pathway to the coveted NASA National Championships. “I’ve been competing in NASA for 14 straight years and the stars have never aligned to where I can go to the Nationals,” he shares, a hint of determination in his voice.

Managing a two-car program – one for Time Trial, the other for Spec Miata – might seem daunting, especially with a bustling household of seven children. Robert’s solution? Teamwork. He champions a cooperative model, sharing his Time Trial and Spec Miata cars with different teammates. Robert handles the logistics, towing, and basic car maintenance, while his teammates contribute by wrenching on the vehicles and breaking down the data so they can all drive faster and improve the car. It’s a cost-effective strategy he encourages other budget-conscious racers to adopt.

Jon Davies, a teammate for the past two seasons, experienced Robert’s persuasive recruitment firsthand. Robert not only brought him onto the team but also became his driving coach, pushing Davies to expand his limits and venture into Time Trials and now Spec Miata racing. “He’s just a very genuine, kind of outgoing, very happy, positive guy and looking for the best in things,” Jon observes. “He’s just very motivated. When he gets an idea in his head or he wants to do something or wants to achieve something, he will move mountains to be able to do it.”

This drive is reflected in Robert’s meticulous approach to race weekends. “When I go to the track, I’m going to win. I know what contingency I’m trying to line up for, and I know exactly what I need to do to achieve those goals,” Robert states. “I’m definitely not the guy that shows up to the track and just kind of figures it out later.” He advocates for pre-race preparation, believing that racers who constantly work on their cars at the track have a shorter lifespan in the sport. To support this, Robert actively engages with all the local vendors in the state, fostering a community where racers can access expert help for tires, brakes, and mechanical work. “They work on everyone else’s car, and you get better service, better results and better quality,” he says.

Collaboration extends beyond his own team. Robert encourages fellow Spec Miata racers to share video and data, fostering camaraderie and elevating the overall skill level – though he keeps his Time Trial data closer to his chest.

Robert’s connection to NASA is deeply rooted, stemming from childhood trips to races with his father. His own racing journey began with autocross in a street car before progressing to NASA events. It was at the track that he met Dr. Paul J. Lynch, co-founder and CEO of Arizona Pain. Impressed by Robert, Dr. Lynch hired him as his executive assistant in 2011.

The boundless energy Robert exhibits at the track is also a necessity at home in San Tan Valley, Arizona, where he and his wife, Launa, are raising seven children, aged 3 to 16. The couple, married for six years, have two biological children and have adopted five more. “My wife is Mother Teresa, she’s an amazing woman,” Robert says with admiration.

The lessons learned from managing a large family have surprisingly translated to his role as Spec Miata leader. “I don’t put up with much shenanigans from our racers because I deal with all kinds of behaviors and people at home,” Robert explains. “They all know that I got a bunch of kids that were in the foster care or group homes so they know that I don’t have much tolerance for rudeness or just bad behavior.” He adds, “Being an only child, patience or lack thereof has always been kryptonite for me. My kids have definitely taught me a lot more patience.”

Robert Rose is more than just a racer; he’s a community builder, a mentor, a strategist, and a family man, pouring his seemingly limitless energy into every facet of his life, both on and off the track.