This week on the Motorsport Prospects Weekly Debrief we look at a a number of cool techniques, tools and advice to help you in your career as a race driver as well as the usual range of motorsport business news, series developments and more.
If you missed what was published this week on the Motorsport Prospects blog, here is a brief summary. My regular Sustainable Motorsport Round-Up was published on Monday which summarizes some pretty amazing developments in sustainable motorsport. In addition to looking into the sustainable future, I featured a great slicks and wings car for sale in the Motorsport Prospects Marketplace as young Canadian racing phenom Mac Clark is selling his Elan (Van Dieman) F2000 Race Car.
Now on to this week’s Weekly Debrief.
Driver Development News, Tips & Techniques
- This week we start off with Enzo Mucci answering the question “Do I need a manager to succeed as a race driver?” with some great advice. Look for an expanded list of management companies coming soon to the Motorsport Prospects Directory.
- The key to driver development is to regularly progress and to get faster. Demon Tweeks looks at 12 Guaranteed Ways to Make You a Faster Driver
- Are you racing in the SCCA Solo Nationals? Have a look at SportsCar Feature: How To Win Solo Nationals.
- This week was the week of the Team USA Scholarship shoot-out held at the new Polecat Training Center. Full details on what the shoot-out involves and who is competing can be found here.
- Here is a fascinating article on How Alex Albon’s F1 driver coach takes lessons from the boxing ring to the track.
- If you are thinking of applying to Formula Woman, they have a great set of Online Motorsport Tutorials that are accessible to all applicants. A great idea.
- It looks like Formula E is bringing back their Rookie Test for 2022 according to The Race. “The regulation regarding rookie testing in Formula E was recently changed and now only “drivers who have never participated in a Formula E competition, or who have never taken part in two or more official collective test days or held an e-Licence” can run at the event.”
- Your Data Driven has announced the release of a Fuel Calculator that will simplify this complex process. Full details and pricing can be found on their page.
- With the news of a new GT3-based class for Le Mans (see Series News below for more details) that focuses on amateur (Am) drivers, it is important to understand how the driver grading system works. Autosport has a great feature that does just that in The gentleman drivers of sportscar racing, and why gradings matter.
- Daniel Ricciardo is back with more great advice for drivers in Keeping up with the times.
- Ross Bentley of Speed Secrets posted this to social media with the comment “Watch the Blue Angels mentally prepare… this is exactly the way the best race drivers prepare (but without letting on to their competitors!).” Check out Watch The Meditative-Like Ritual The Blue Angels Go Through Before Every Flight Demo on The Drive.
The Business of Being a Race Driver
- Lessons can be learned in how Parker Kligerman approaches sponsorship. An informative read no matter what level you race at.
- I have posted a number of articles from Sport Dimensions, a sports marketing company that works with sponsors in motorsport specifically because I believe that you need to understand why businesses get involved in sponsoring motorsport. When you understand the why you will better understand how to approach potential sponsors and what they are looking for. Here are a few great articles to check out.
- If a potential sponsor is unclear on the benefits of sponsorship vs advertising, Drive Sports Marketing answers that question in Sports Sponsorship vs Advertising: A Clear Winner.
- Have a look at the sponsorship deck that Ikoniqa produced for motorcycle racer Corey Alexander for some ideas for your deck. Then head over to their Motorsport Resources page for some templates and inspiration.
Series News
- One of the big talking points during the Le Mans weekend was the future of the GTE class. The ACO finally announced that GTE is being replaced by a GT3-based platform and no factory teams will be permitted as they feel it is not within the “cost and spirit of GT racing.” Porsche and Ferrari are fully on board with this customer-focused outlook but Corvette are not entirely convinced although they do see themselves competing at some level. It is clear that the ACO sees Hypercar as the route for factory-based racing and GT3 as customer-only. Motorsport magazine asks the question Will GT3 regulations breathe life into sports car racing at Le Mans?
- Here are some more announcements that were made during Le Mans.
- Speaking of GT3, BMW unveiled their new M4 GT3 that they plan to make available for 2022. Bill Auberlin seems to like it.
- GM has finally announced one of racing’s worst kept secrets in that their Cadillac brand will be returning to sports car racing in both IMSA and the WEC. Alpine on the other hand will make a decision on their sports car future by the end of the year.
- If you want to know what kind of torture the 24 Hours of Le Mans puts on a car, have a look at The tortures a Porsche 911 RSR has to endure at the Le Mans 24H.
- In F4 news, the FFSA have announced that French F4 will adopt Mygale’s second-generation car for 2022. Interestingly, despite the halo the car will be 10kg lighter than the current F4 car.
- Last week I mentioned that F3 and Touring Cars will not be in Macau because of Covid but add FIA GT World Cup to the list as well.
- Finally, if you love sports cars, the 2021 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion was recently held and Sports Car Digest has a mouth-watering photo galley to view if you were not able to make it.
Business of Motorsport
- Czech sports car manufacturer Praga Cars confirms first international partners in new global Praga Racing dealer network as it looks to increase its footprint in new markets around the world.
- As a former lawyer, I always keep an eye on the latest motorsport-related law cases and here is the case law for the recently decided Australian Karting Association Ltd v Karting (NSW) Incorporated [2021] NSWSC 1075 which was decided in Karting NSW’s favor.
- Formula One was in the news recently regarding some potentially nefarious financial dealings between Lawrence Stroll and Toto Wolff but regulators have cleared them both.
- Speaking of Formula 1, it looks like their work on social media and esports has been working as Formula 1 has increased its number of active kid fans by 2.85 million in key European markets according to latest research from The Insights Family. The 17% year-on-year increase, from 17.3 million to 20.1 million, represents a faster growth rate than football, which only grew by 6%. Check out the summary of findings as it makes for some very interesting reading in these changing times.
- Motorsport track booking specialist Circuit Booking says it has developed the world’s first smartphone app for booking and managing trackdays. Check out all the details at PMW Magazine.
- Getting a job in motorsport is always a challenge but there are a growing number of programs trying to help and here is one as M-Sport launches graduate and apprentice scheme.
- Big news as Hagerty and Aldel Financial announce merger agreement, Hagerty to become a publicly traded company.
- I hate to see any track close and apparently Palm Beach International Raceway is under threat so fans and racers are rallying to save PBIR. Here is why saving this track matters.
- Are charters good for NASCAR? Dale Jr thinks so according to Dale Jr. Explains Why Charters are Good for NASCAR.
- Always wanted to know what it would be like to launch a racing team? Get an inside look at the ‘Rookie Season’ documentary. I have posted the trailer below.
- Finally, meet BBi Autosport, the small, independent team taking on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
From the Motorsport Prospects Archives
This week I featured an article from Autosport which talks about driver gradings and their importance, especially when it comes to “gentlemen” or amateur drivers. They are the lifeblood of the sport and over the months and years I have interviewed these amateur drivers and featured some of the series they compete in. Here are just a few articles to get you started. Expect more in the future.
- A Gentleman Driver Living the Fastlife – A Chat with Derek DeBoer
- A Discussion about the Role of the Gentleman Driver with Johnny Mowlem
- A Ferrari Challenge Primer
- Going Radical Racing with Group A Racing
- The Appeal and Opportunity of Sportscar Racing – In Conversation with Paul Charsley
The Last Lap
Aug 17, 2021
As I approach the Last Lap this week, here are a few things that caught my eye.
- I love racing history and I love good racing documentaries as I always learn things and this one looks to be no exception as the tragic story of black racing pioneer Charlie Wiggins is to be the subject of a feature movie.
- Ever wanted to know what happens at an F1 factory during the summer shut down? Check out this awesome video where you are quite literally a fly on the wall at Williams Grand Prix. It is amazing how these factories look like college campuses.
- This is definitely one of the coolest barn finds ever!
- A few years ago Watchonista Magazine talked watches and racing with Lewis Hamilton and it still makes for a good read.
- Mark Blundell is a successful driver manager these days but back in 1990 he put together this scintillating pole position lap at Le Mans.
Stay safe and I will see you at the track!
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.