The benefits of using a driver coach is just one of the topics covered in this week’s Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup. I also have more racecraft advice, using AI for data analysis and a look at Flatrock MotorClub. All this and much more!
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
If you’ve done a couple track days, you might be wondering if it’s time to move from the beginner group and into intermediate or advanced. The answer is not as simple as you might think, because while you’re probably driving faster than ever, “intermediate” and “advanced” are referencing situational awareness, not speed. This video from the SCCA explains exactly what that means, and how to know when you’re ready to step up.
Grassroots Motorsports explains the high-tech lessons you can learn from historic race cars.
Ross Bentley of Speed Secrets explains how the right min leads to the best max. “Min speed, vMin, or whatever you want to call it, is simply the minimum speed you’re carrying at the slowest point in a corner.” Read more here.
During their time at the official Grassroots Motorsport test track, the Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park, an opportunity arose for Chris Tropea, fellow GRM staffer, and Paris Van Gorder to get one-on-one driving lessons in their Club Spec Mustang GT project car with pro driver Randy Pobst. This is what happened.
‘The Dynamics of the Race Car’ hard cover books are available for a limited time through ChassisSim. More details can be found here.
Formula E team Nissan and Premier League Manchester City compare how data is used in their respective fields. “However, not all sports analyze and use data in the same way. Formula E and football could hardly be further apart as sports, yet both Cristina Mañas Fernández, Head of Performance and Simulation at Nissan Formula E Team and Simon Timson, Performance Director at Manchester City Football Club, spend their days dealing with data. The pair discussed how they use data in their roles, and how it plays a factor in the decisions made at the top level of their disciplines.”
Speaking of data analysis, Samir Abid of Your Data Driven looks at AI in motorsport datanalysis and asks the question can ChatGPT find you lap time? “What’s amazing is that you can be reasonably confident of doing AI motorsport data analysis using nothing more than a screenshot and a couple of prompts.” Read how here.
Introducing the Almeida Motorsports Program. This program is for drivers who invest time, money, and energy into becoming better every lap. It’s built to eliminate the trial-and-error that leads to frustration, inconsistency—or worse, expensive mistakes.
Whether you’re preparing for your next race weekend or simply want to drive at your best, this is the system I use with private clients and championship-level drivers around the world.
The program is now live and more information can be found here.
RACER looks at how IndyCar racer Sting Ray Robb has been improving his racecraft steadily with the input of a driver coach. “Seeking help through renowned driver coach Rob Wilson has been the most beneficial move for Robb. Between visiting England to receive lessons directly from the former professional racer and the assignment of ex-Andretti IndyCar driver Adam Carroll to his timing stand as a coach on race weekends, the 23-year-old is starting to reap the benefits of their education plan.”
Race Car & Series Developments
The SCCA’s Solo Events Board is working to make rules inquiries simpler. “Competition rules do a fantastic job of offering consistency for all involved. Rulesets allow drivers and organizers access to the same documentation stating which cars are legal, what modifications are allowed, how events are to be run, and more. Only, SCCA’s rules are constantly changing and improving because sometimes adjustments or clarifications are needed. The problem is, the current letter-writing system isn’t the best at resolving all varieties of requests, as letters vary from classing needs and allowance adjustments to a simple clarification about what a rule’s meaning truly is. This is something the SEB is actively working to improve on – and soon.” Get the details here.
FEL Motorsports has paused the 2025 season of the Sports Car Championship Canada (SCCC) presented by Michelin due to insufficient series entries. The 2025 Emzone Radical Cup Canada presented by Michelin will continue as scheduled.
“Running homologated race cars is expensive. Many of our teams are involved in various businesses and are uncertain about how the current political and economic climate—particularly the evolving tariff situation—will impact them,” said Chris Bye, President of FEL Motorsports. “As a result, some teams have chosen to sit on the sidelines for now. We will continue to monitor these developments closely, and if conditions stabilize, we’ll consult with our teams and make decisions as the season progresses.”
Formula Woman Dubai has been canceled but motorsport consultant and Formula Woman founder has announced the launch of Racing Women. “With our continued support for all the competitors who have been let down by FW, and in my quest to find a way to continue to support them as well as future women race drivers, Racing Women is now up and running on Instagram and will soon be followed by a website which is under construction.”
The Motorsports Reunion Advisory Council, an all-volunteer committee of motorsport historians, scrutinizes each car at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion to ensure it meets the ongoing standards of preserving the authenticity and period correctness demanded for inclusion in the Rolex Reunion. This principle, established in 1974 with the inception of the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, continues to be a cornerstone of the event today.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Are using simulators a cost-effective way to launch a racing career? This question is frequently addressed in my weekly Sim Racing Roundup, and I had additional insights to share with you last week. You will also get an understanding on how sim racing helped Robert Wickens return to racing, why Max Verstappen has been told not to trust a sim and a look at Liam Lawson’s sim rig.
Track Days
Grassroots Motorsports took a Mini JCW GP to the track to find out what’s it like to track the most powerful Mini made? “The Mini John Cooper Works GP. The most powerful Mini to come from the factory. The turbocharged inline-four makes 301 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque.” Read about their experience here.
In the latest edition of Motorsport UK’s Revolution Magazine, they provide a guide to Donnington Park.
The Robb Report introduces you to some clubs and schools that will help you drive 200 MPH without breaking the law.
Flatrock MotorClub, designed by famed F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke, will include ‘club’ and ‘racing’ layouts featuring 30-degree banking. “The Flatrock Motorsports Park, designed by famed F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke, will feature a 3.5-mile private members ‘Club’ circuit and it will also have a 2.67-mile track certified for FIM competitions and to FIA Grade 2 standard for motorsport. Tilke also designed Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and his company resurfaced the Miami Grand Prix race circuit.” Read more here.
MotorTrend looks at a selection of track day cars you can actually afford. “Reliable examples of the following cars can all be had for $15,000 or less, with some models going for well under $5,000 regularly. The convertibles require a rollbar, but otherwise none requires modifications to hit the track—though like with any track car, you’ll need to consider specialty consumables, such as high-quality brake fluid, pads, and the like.” Read all about their selections here.
How often does the chance arise to buy an entire Le Mans team and restore the cars to their former glory in readiness for a return to competitive life as historic racers? Check out the video above from the Ascari Project for an idea.
The new Porsche Experience Centre Toronto is scheduled to be open soon.
Step into the world of professional motorsport on one of the world’s fastest circuits as part of the new Goodwood ProDriver Experience. This isn’t just a track day, it’s your chance to follow in the tyre tracks of legends like Hill, Stewart, and Fangio. With expert coaching and data analysis, refine your racing lines, sharpen high-speed cornering, and unlock true performance. From pitlane prep to flat-out straights, experience the intensity, focus, and thrill of a ProDriver at Goodwood. More information can be found here: https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/driving-experiences/prodriver-experience/
Circuit Florida, a motorsports country club located in Central Florida along Interstate 4 and only 40 minutes from both downtown Orlando and Tampa, recently formed a unique alliance with P1 Motor Club, a new motorsports country club currently under construction in South Florida. The alliance allows members to participate in an exclusive inter-club member race series with races held at each club. CF and P1 members will also have unique opportunities to sample the other clubs’ private member lapping days to prepare for competition and/or consider cross membership.
Aston Martin have recently released official on-road imagery of Valhalla. The exciting new model is undergoing final validation sign-off both on-road in the UK and on-track near Barcelona, before the forthcoming start of production in Q2 2025.
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.
