Board of Directors

Tami Bandimere
Board Chair

Tami followed her grandparents and parents as part of the third generation of owners and operators of storied Bandimere Speedway in the beautiful Colorado foothills. The Speedway provided distinctive drag racing entertainment from its inception in 1958 until its closing in 2023 when the family sold the property following 65 years on Thunder Mountain. Tami founded the Speedway’s highly successful and long-running Race to Read Program in 1995 for elementary-age students. She enjoys many local and national community relationships with businesses and ministries and hosts her Living It Loud podcast on Spotify.

Steve Earwood
Vice Chair

Steve distinguished himself over 30+ years as the owner/operator of Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina. As the NHRA’s first national media relations director, he helped the sport shed its black leather jacket image and attain mainstream acceptance in the 1970s. Steve is a member of the NHRA Southeast Division Hall of Fame, the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame, and the recipient of the 2020 NHRA Lifetime Achievement Wally. Happily retired, he spends much of his time traveling, often visiting his daughter’s family in Michigan where they manage the US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin.

John Brimer
Treasurer
John obtained his CPA certification over 50 years ago and was employed for a time with the largest independent oil company in Texas. He’s worked in public accounting for most of his life, opening his own practice in Arlington, Texas, in 1992. A racer in several different classes since 1969, he currently competes in NHRA Stock Eliminator with a 2014 Super Cobra Jet Mustang. John and wife Suzanne have been married for nearly four decades.
Liz Abbott
Secretary

Liz’s love for racing began when she was a little girl, watching circle track events with her parents at Colorado National Speedway. She and husband Lance (2022 NHRA Top Sportsman champion) and their four littles travel the country racing and meeting amazing people. After joining the RFC board in January 2024, God pushed Liz out of her comfort zone, calling her in March to also become a chaplain. She mostly serves with RFC kids events, sharing God’s love with racing fans of all ages. With a degree in mechanical engineering, Liz brings her business knowledge and a passion for motorsports to her service on the board, along with a love for expanding God’s kingdom and sharing His love with the people she meets!

Bob Locke
Board Member

The 2022 NHRA Super Gas champion, Bob began drag racing during his high school years in Greenwood, Indiana. He owns a small accounting firm there – Custom Business & Tax Solutions, Inc. – where he and his staff help their clients succeed in business.  He and wife Ronda raised their two (now-adult) children in the racing world competing in junior dragster. God revealed to Bob how much He uses RFC at the track, and he strongly believes in the organization’s mission, feeling he was called to do his part for the ministry. His paraphrasing of Matthew 6:33 sums up his objective in life:  Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He will take care of the rest.

Lenny Lottig
Board Member

Lenny owns ITI Trailers & Truck Bodies, a manufacturing shop specializing in stainless steel pressure vessels in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. In addition to his role with RFC, he also serves on advisory boards for his local school districts, a vocational trade school, and his church. He enjoys outdoor life with wife Linda and best (four-legged) friend Louie and racing anything with wheels. His most recent efforts at the track have been rewarded with six national event wins in Factory Stock Showdown and Factory X. Lenny is honored to serve on RFC’s board, providing leadership, financial oversight, and direction to “this very worthwhile ministry.”

Steve Yaggy
Board Member

Steve has been an RFC chaplain since 2005. At the helm of Yaggy Specialized Trucking in Rochester, Minnesota, he and wife Carol also oversee a family farm. They are actively involved in their church, serve on the boards of several  Christian-oriented businesses, and enjoy hosting their Thursday morning Rise & Shine Bible study & café group at the trucking company. Steve fills the role of crew chief for son Jordan’s dirt late model team, and he drives the Holy Smokes in tractor pulling competitions. “We are blessed with a great ministry because of these motorsports opportunities, and a little success at the same time,” he says. “I’m loving life, loving God and all His children, especially my grandchildren!”

Dave Mason, Sr
Board Member

As president and CEO of Tri-State General Contractors, Inc., based in Escondido, California, Dave has spearheaded the company’s growth from its inception to a prominent, respected retail and industrial builder licensed in 10 western states. He’s been an avid racing enthusiast his entire life, beginning his racing career in Off Road in 1986. Hard work and determination have produced tangible results, with wins in the famed Baja 1000 and class championships in SCORE, among others. While continuing to race, Dave’s newest passion has been helping mange his son Dave Jr.’s career; they frequently team up to compete in large off-road events. Dave and his high school sweetheart Debbie have been married for more than four decades.

Shawn Stewart
Board Member

Shawn’s motorsports journey began with is first paid job, collecting trash at California Speedway. He grew up in El Cajon, fascinated by off-road, motocross, and jet ski racing. In 2004, he moved to North Carolina and set out to build a career in the motorsports industry, eventually becoming the co-founder and executive director of the United States Motorsports Association (USMA). Shawn’s diverse experience spans dirt track, drag racing, off-road, sports cars, motocross, and NASCAR, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the industry. His true passion is advocating for motorsports (from local bodies of authority to the U.S. Congress), winning over government relations and elevating the sport’s reputation. Supporting RFC’s mission through prayer and resources, he’s committed to the organization’s long-term growth and stability. Shawn and wife Dawn and their son live in Mooresville, NC, with a house full of dogs and cats.

Bruce Van Sant
Board Member
Bruce is the founder, president, and CEO of Trick-Tools.com, providing metalworking tools to the racing and performance industry. He and wife Andrea have three sons and enjoy spending time with their two grandchildren. They follow the NHRA national-event circuit with their son Chase, who races Pro Stock Motorcycle. Bruce has been an elder in charge of finance at their church in Pella, Iowa, for over 20 years.
Meredit VanBeekum
Board Member

Meredith and her family have enjoyed the service and friendship of RFC for many years. She runs the office of R-N-R Steel, the family construction business she and husband Robert started 20 years ago in Arizona. Along with son Ryder, they’ve been competing off-road for more than two decades in both short course and desert racing, traveling coast-to-coast in pursuit of their passion and love of the sport and cultivating many friendships along the way. Meredith holds God at the cornerstone of her life and family and enjoys spending time in His word each day. She especially loves Romans 5:1-8.