Cornwell tool dealer Ben Aurich, of Farmington, Minn., is an avid racer. The flexible schedule that comes with his tool route is one of the things that attracted him to the position because it allows him to travel across the country to drive in various competitions.
“I do the Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge. It’s all around the U.S. This year, I’ll probably go to California, Vegas, Texas, Kentucky, Colorado and then I’ll do Road America again in Wisconsin,” Aurich says. “Then we also do what’s called Time Attack. That’s something I do locally, like in Brainerd International Raceway and there’s a little spot down in Rosemount. That’s just 20-minute hot-lap sessions and then in the afternoon, you’re doing standing start, one-lap shots getting timed by the clock.
“It’s kind of road racing without the wheel-to-wheel risk of crash.”
His tool route has allowed him to meet other racing enthusiasts. Aurich has been able to find engine parts to assist his racing passion. “I’m able to buy them from the various shops I go to, especially some of the junk yards I go to,” he explains. “Then I’m able to build things myself.”
Aurich races in the summertime, so he adjusts his schedule accordingly. “I can usually take all my Friday stops and cram them in amongst the other four days if I want to take a Friday off. Or I’ll just contact them and let them know, ‘Hey, I’m not going to be here this Friday. Do you want me to set you up for your payment next week, too?’ Then I just have them set up so I can hit one button and run all the Friday payments,” he explains, adding he usually doesn’t miss many stops.
