You can challenge Parker Kligerman on track and in this week’s Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup you will find out how. You will also learn braking techniques, how to tackle Turn 1 at Thunderhill Raceway and how FIA track grades work.
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
On-Track
Mario Andretti once said “It’s amazing how many drivers think that the brakes are for slowing the car down.” The best know pedal inputs are all about weight transfer! The video above from SafeisFast explains.
Dirtfish explains how Sae Kitagawa has been central to Heikki Kovalainen’s adaptation to rallying. ““She’s always listening and observing when I’m saying what to write – and she’s confident about telling me off if something’s wrong! I’ve had Flavio Briatore as my manager, so I’m very used to straight feedback if I’m doing something wrong. It’s better to highlight those issues and put the cards on the table.” Read more here.
Turn 1 at Thunderhill Raceway is your first real test of bravery and commitment. It’s fast, uphill, where you find out if you actually trust yourself, your brakes—or if you’re just pretending. Get it right, and you’re sailing into Turn 2 like a pro. Get it wrong? Well, I hope you like farming, because you’ll be plowing through some nice open fields. Let’s break it down so you don’t end up landscaping. Read how here.
In the video above, Enzo Mucci explains that you have the power to control your emotions on track.
Think you’ve got what it takes to be a racing driver? Parker Kligerman’s challenge puts that question – and some cash – to the test. Motorsport.com has the details.
Off-Track
The graphic above will help you better understand FIA Track Grades. Find out more here.
In this episode of the SOMA podcast, Atlas and Nova dive into the world of Minute-by-Minute cognitive tracking—where averages get left behind and elite performance begins. Discover how this granular data reveals what the brain’s really doing under pressure, and why this shift in monitoring is changing the game for athletes everywhere. You can listen here.
Race Car & Series Developments
TRD U.S.A. officially today unveiled the new Toyota Camry body, which will compete in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series which began last weekend at Road Atlanta.
“We are thrilled to be able to officially unveil the Toyota Camry body for the TA2 Series,” said Jack Irving, general manager, TRD U.S.A. “This body is the result of the diligent effort of so many people at TRD, Trans Am and Five Star. For us at TRD, we continue to see the value of the TA2 Series as our development drivers are able to get quality reps on iconic road courses across the country. This new body further shows the commitment Toyota has to Trans Am, now and into the future.”
More details can be found here.
Both the North and South Island Endurance Racing Drivers Clubs (NIERDC & SIERDC) have confirmed a number of significant changes for the 2025season for both their own series and the New Zealand Endurance Championship. Talk Motorsport has all the details.
Torque sensors will be mandatory for all GT3 competitors racing on the streets of Macau in the eighth running of the FIA GT World Cup later this year. These are currently used in LMGT3, GTD and GTD Pro machinery racing in the FIA WEC, ELMS and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The 2025/26 Asian Le Mans Series calendar will see a return to the three circuits seen in 2024/25, with Rounds 1 and 2 in Malaysia, Rounds 3 and 4 in Dubai and Rounds 5 and 6 in Abu Dhabi.
There had been a possibility to include Buriram in Thailand in the 2025/26 calendar at the end of November, but, unfortunately, a suitable date that worked for both the series and the circuit couldn’t be found. The Mandalika Circuit in Indonesian had also been considered as an alternative but the upgrades needed to bring it up to the required safety standards for the Le Mans Prototypes couldn’t be guaranteed to be completed on time. Both circuits are being considered for the 2026/27 season. More details can be found here.
IMSA has revealed the 2026 calendar for the WeatherTech Sportscar Championship and the Michelin Pilot Challenge.
The WeatherTech Championship will return to all 11 venues where the series will race in 2025, and the Michelin Pilot Challenge will host its 10 rounds at the same 10 venues from the 2025 schedule.
The biggest change to the 2026 WeatherTech Championship schedule sees Road America joining the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup. With new sponsorship from Motul, the August 2 race in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, will increase to a six-hour endurance race.
Meanwhile, the penultimate round of the season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be a two-hour and 40-minute sprint race, scheduled for September 20.
The Michelin Pilot Challenge schedule remains the same for 2026, including a four-hour headlining race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on June 7.
For more information, visit imsa.com.
Hyundai has announced a new series-within-a-series competition, the N Trophy Cup. As Ross Rosenberg, manager of N Brand and marketing for Hyundai, explains, “Hyundai competitors within the TC America series will not only compete to win the overall TC America Championship, but they will also compete against fellow Hyundai drivers for additional awards.” Grassroots Motorsports has more details.
With an unparalleled legacy of over 75 years of racing knowledge, spirit and passion, Lotus’ motorsport activities and initiatives are now part of one global ‘Team Lotus’. Bringing together factory-supported programs, partner racing teams, Lotus Cup championships, driver development and race fans. A revived focus on togetherness that drives our passion for performance, enables our shared ambitions and supports our racing communities and drivers around the World.
Gavan Kershaw, Director, Head of Motorsports at Lotus Cars, said: “Motorsport has been in Lotus’ DNA from day one, and we have hundreds of Lotus’ that compete every weekend in all forms of classic, national and international races. Team Lotus unites that passion across every level. Whether it’s GT, endurance, or grassroots competition, we’re committed to supporting teams and drivers who share our love for racing.”
You can read more here.
The FIA, in partnership with the ACO (and subsequently in partnership with IMSA) has issued the first of two Tenders that will shape the next ruleset for LMP2, the first change since 2017 to the successful class that has seen dozens of cars competing in the FIA WEC, ELMS, Asian Le Mans Series and IMSA.
More details have emerged about the recent sale of Willow Springs Raceway to a private equity firm.
- Willow Springs Raceway Is Evicting Tenants Ahead of New Ownership (The Drive)
- Willow Springs Raceway: What’s Next After The Sale? (Street Muscle Magazine)
The latest episode of the Motorsport Coaching Podcast features race driver Sam Silvestro. With over 40 years in motorsport, Sam shares his incredible journey from club events to running a business with a broad footprint in the motorsport industry as well as his advocacy of the RX88 formula for young drivers. You can listen to the podcast here.
SRO Motorsports Australia has explained its decision to ban Michael Sheargold and Brett Hobson from racing together in GT World Challenge Australia this year. SpeedCafe has the details.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
How F1 drivers use a sim to prepare for a new track is one of the topics covered in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also link to an article on the power of mental imagery and simulators, show how a university sim racing club is introducing students to motorsport and give details on your chance to win a place on a pro esports team.
Track Days
The Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium have created a private driving club to take advantage of the F1 Miami Grand Prix track, including creating a new “inner loop” and aiming for 100 members who will pay a hefty fee to get access to rip around the circuit at least 40 days a year, per Sports Business Journal‘s Ben Fischer. Tyler Epp helped develop the concept and foster relationships with the sort of wealthy clientele who will buy memberships.
Matt Busby explains whats to come in the future of Thunderhill Raceway. “At Thunderhill Raceway, we don’t just host events—we shape the future of motorsports. As one of the premier racetracks in Northern California, we’re always looking ahead, ensuring that Thunderhill remains a top-tier destination for racers and driving enthusiasts. Our President and CEO, Matt Busby, recently sat down for an episode of the Late to Grid podcast to talk about his journey, the evolution of track operations, and where motorsports is headed.” Read more here.
Grassroots Motorsports explains that the forthcoming P1 Motor Club will contain all the expected country club amenities–pool, spa and even pickleball–but the plan for this 650-acre facility doesn’t ignore nonmembers. In addition to the 4.5-mile P1 Circuit built for member use, the South Florida complex will also feature the Treasure Coast Circuit, a 3.2-mile track open to nonmembers.
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a 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.
