Leadership Profiles: Tom Pritchett and the Camp Goodtimes Drive-A-Thon
The Milestone Leadership Profiles series highlights stories of leadership in action, sometimes from the workplace, sometimes from unexpected places. This week’s Profile comes from our Chief of Staff, Elizabeth Westphal, reflecting on the impact she’s seen through her husband’s long-time involvement with Turn2 Lapping and the leadership of its owner, Tom Pritchett.
From Passion to Purpose
Elizabeth’s husband, Matt, has been participating in High Performance Driving Events (HPDE) with Turn2 Lapping for over a decade. Along the way, Elizabeth and Matt became friends with Turn2’s owner, Tom Pritchett — someone who cares as much about community as he does about speed.
Years ago, Camp Goodtimes — a summer camp for kids affected by childhood cancer — lost a major funding source and was at risk of closing. Tom stepped in, and the Camp Goodtimes Drive-A-Thon was born.
The concept is simple: Drivers pay to participate in a day of HPDE at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA. All fees, plus proceeds from live and silent auctions, go directly to Camp Goodtimes. What makes it unique? The kids and their families ride along, experiencing the thrill of the track firsthand.
Impact Measured in Speed
Picture this: dozens of drivers, rows of incredible race cars, volunteers helping kids strap on helmets, and the WA State Patrol letting them hit the sirens. Kids grinning ear to ear at 140 mph, sometimes asking, Is that all you got?”
These rides create memories that last. Some of the kids are no longer with us; others return as camp counselors, eager to give back.
This year, the Drive-A-Thon crossed $1M raised for Camp Goodtimes. It’s a testament to Tom’s vision and his ability to rally people around a cause. Drivers thank him throughout the day — not just for organizing the event, but for giving them a way to turn their passion into lasting impact.
Leadership Takeaways
Elizabeth’s reflections on the Camp Goodtimes Drive-A-Thon offer three important leadership lessons:
Use your platform for good: Whatever your passion or skill set, there’s a way to connect it to a greater purpose.
Lead by creating experiences: People remember moments, not just messages. Tom built an event where the experience is the impact.
Sustain the mission: Thirteen years of consistent effort builds trust, momentum, and real results.
Leadership isn’t confined to titles or boardrooms; in Tom’s case, leadership can be found at the track. Tom’s a great leader, doing great work and inspiring the rest of us to step up.
Tom also earned well-deserved media attention this year: "Turn 2 Driveathon" for Camp Goodtimes | FOX 13 Seattle.
If you’re curious why experiences like this stick with us, I highly recommend The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact. It’s a great read on how and why certain moments can change people’s lives.