by Dr. Iain
Corness
The
new managing director of the Pattaya Hill Resort is an enthusiastic
American, Bobby Brooks. He is an ex-racing driver, though there really is
no such animal; he’s just a race driver between cars. In fact, he even
showed me his race suit hanging in the closet, ready for when the offer
comes along, plus several photographs from his racing days in America.
Having a race suit hanging in my closet too, I can fully understand people
like Bobby Brooks!
He was born in Tampa Florida, to an American father and
a Spanish mother, which explains his tanned features and glossy black
hair, and probably some of his mercurial nature. However he is also a very
‘international’ man, with his schooling being mainly throughout Asia
including Bangkok, Japan and Taiwan, as he and his siblings were taken
around the world by his military attach้ father, seconded to various
destinations.
He excelled at sports, enough to gain a Black Belt in
both Tae-kwan-do and Judo while in Japan, and won a sporting scholarship
to Chaminade University in Hawaii to study Oceanography. “I just loved
the ocean,” said Bobby, though at the time he really did not know the
full significance of his chosen career path.
After two years in college he joined the US Navy as an
oceanographer, but became disenchanted. “It was hard work and small
pay,” said Bobby. However, he did use his time in the navy to also study
and take a degree in criminal justice, but this was just experience. “I
didn’t want to do it as a career, because I discovered real estate and
motor racing at the same time.” He continued, saying “I’ve been a
real estate broker to this day.” He’s also still a motor racer (see
paragraph 1)!
After being in go-karts, in Bobby’s words, “I
decided to get serious. I went to the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School in
California and then raced in the Jim Russell series.” By this stage he
was well and truly hooked, but like most race drivers, had to be inventive
to work out how he could continue in the financially demanding sport.
Bobby’s method was to buy three cars and rent out the other two to pay
for his own racing!
This was enough to bring him to the notice of the
Mitsubishi Company in America and he was given a contract as a works
driver for Mitsubishi US, rewarding them with the Sports Car Club of
America (SCCA) regional championship in 1993.
Bobby was looking good, as Mitsubishi continued the
works team into 1994, only for them to pull out of motor racing at the end
of the year! However, Bobby Brooks had to continue.
Realizing that the best way to ensure that his backing
team did not pull out like his previous sponsor, Bobby bought his way into
a team running CART cars (American single seaters similar to Formula 1)
and his team raced all over America, and across to Australia for the
Indycar race there as well. He had ‘name’ drivers in the seat, but he
still managed to get some seat time himself. This was achieved by becoming
a part owner of a racing series, called the American Indycar Series, which
was the stepping stone formula towards the ‘big time’.
However, despite being a race promoter, Bobby knew that
the ‘big time’ for him was going to be behind a desk, rather than
behind the wheel. He was still heavily involved as a real estate broker in
Hawaii but had watched Hawaii becoming too expensive. He had family
friends in Bangkok and a few trips here convinced him that Thailand in
general was a good place to invest in, and Pattaya in particular. “I
looked at the demographics, proximity to major work forces, the fact that
it had four million tourists a year, and to me, Pattaya was a bargain.
Phuket was too expensive and Bangkok didn’t fit the bill, and beach
resorts suit me, coming from Hawaii.”
He was also no stranger to the hotel industry, having
been involved with hotels in Texas, Houston, Honolulu and Atlantic City.
After three months of negotiation, the deal was sealed on the Pattaya Hill
Resort, and three months later Bobby had his loafers under the MD’s
chair. Mind you, he certainly has not been loafing since taking over,
already commencing on a master plan to upgrade the landmark hotel with its
commanding views from the top of Phratamnak Hill. “We are so high up,
every room has a sea view,” said Bobby proudly.
His aims revolve around the Pattaya Hill Resort, and he
very quickly rattled off the improvements that are being made, with
redecorating, new furniture (made locally), a fitness center, spa and
sauna and a new lobby. Talking about these makes him even more
enthusiastic, which is quite infectious. By the time our hour was up, I
was ready to sign up myself! For anything!
When he is not working out the next day’s plan for
the hotel, he is riding his mountain bike, or playing golf. I asked about
his handicap and was told that it was “high”. “Like most people’s
bowling scores,” said Bobby. Of course he is still interested in motor
sport and intends to investigate the local scene too.
Motor sport has often been described as 90 percent
frustration and 10 percent fun, and to remain in the sport, it needs a
very positive and motivated person. Blow up today, fix it tomorrow and win
the day after. If you are not that kind of person you will not last long.
Bobby Brooks has lasted for many years in that arena, bouncing back for
more. It is that same positive nature that will propel Bobby Brooks and
the Pattaya Hill Resort to the top of where he wants to be.
“Half of winning is showing up,” says Bobby. Well, he certainly has
shown up, so he is half way there already! Welcome to Pattaya, Bobby
Brooks.
