AE Victory Racing has opened applications for their 2026 Female Driver Development Program, and I have the details in this week’s Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup. I also have racecraft tips, 2026 series news and more!
Overview
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
Mika Häkkinen on Rivalries, Crashes and No Safety
Episode 377 of the High Performance Podcast features two-time Formula One World Champion Mika Häkkinen who reflects on the mindset, discipline, and calmness that defined his legendary career, and his unforgettable rivalry with Michael Schumacher. You can watch it above.
Elite Cyclist Dan Bigham On Apply F1 Thinking To Win At Any Level
Episode 40 of the Your Data Driven Podcast features elite cyclist Dan Bigham. “Dan Bigham is not only a multiple track cycling champion and British record holder, but he is also a very talented engineer. Currently Dan Bigham works as a Performance Engineer under David Brailsford at the INEOS cycling team. In the past he has been an aerodynamics engineer for the Mercedes F1 team, plus he has even worked for me! In this episode we explore what it takes to win in cycling and how you can apply that in your own motorsports. There are more parallels than you might think.”
You can listen to the podcast here.
Racey Thoughts: Inside Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
Ross Bentley of Speed Secrets looks at the world championship F1 battle between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. “Even with that, the battle between teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri has been super-interesting and fun to watch. Toss in some brilliant drives by Max Verstappen in a car that is obviously far from the level of the McLarens (and a few surprises from Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, and Ollie Bearman) and many consider this season to be one of the best in years.”
Max Verstappen’s Comments on Karting are a Serious Blow to Proponents of the Stepping Stone Ideology
Max Verstappen’s recent comments on the Pelas Pistas Podcast with Nelsinho Piquet, Christian Fittipaldi and Thiago Alves should be required listening for anyone involved in the governance and promotion of karting.
In response to a hypothetical question about what a driver should do if they have a year off and must choose between sims or karts, Max initially said both. But when forced to pick? “No, forget go-kart. That’s the problem with our sport, I think, a little bit. When you grow up playing football, you play from a young age with the ball. The ball doesn’t change. Okay, when you’re a kid, the goals change, but after that, it’s the same.”
Read Alan Dove’s full opinion piece here.
Race Car & Series Developments
Silver and Pro-Am Classes Join Japan Cup’s GT4 Roster from 2026
SRO Motorsports Group Asia will expand its Japan Cup GT4 class in 2026 by introducing Silver and Pro-Am categories. The existing Am classification completes GT4’s revised three-class structure, which no longer features Silver-Am. Full details can be found here: https://japancup.co/news/76
Imola Selected for Standalone Super Trofeo Europe Second Round
Lamborghini has confirmed that Imola will fill the vacant slot on next year’s Super Trofeo Europe calendar, forming a standalone round as part of the second edition of the Italian brand’s Lamborghini Arena event.
Driving Force Planning Four-Hour Races in Abu Dhabi, Qatar
Driving Force Events Ltd., the organizers behind the successful Gulf 12 Hours, have announced two new GT endurance races for the winter season in the Middle East. The new events will use a “fast and cost-efficient” logistics solution between the UAE and Qatar, according to a statement from the promoter.
2026 TCR World Tour Calendar Set for Expanded Asian Leg as Australia is Axed
The 2026 FIA TCR World Tour calendar will have an extended Asian leg as the Australian round has been dropped for the coming season. “We were asked by the teams to extend the Asian part of the championship, so we will have two rounds in South Korea, two in China and then Macau,” said Marcello Lotti, head of WSC.
Big Changes to Toyota GR Cup Calendar for 2026
Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia has announced a significant change to its calendar year on year, headlined by the omission of the Gold Coast.
Zenith Racing Series Registration for 2026 Now Open
Registration is officially open for the inaugural season of the Zenith Racing Series. They have also announced that their Road America will be July 10th-12th. From now until January 9th, you can take advantage of multiple discounts on licenses and credentials using the promo codes listed on their registration pages. Full details can be found on the Zenith Racing Series website.
2026 Runoffs Classes and Qualification Criteria Announced
The 18 run groups for the 2026 SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Sunoco at Road America have been announced, along with the path for drivers to receive an invitation to participate in the winner-take-all event. Get all the details here.
Nova Motorsport Marks Return of Avon Motorsport Tires to North America with Unique Prize Initiative for Crossflow Cup Competitors
Nova Motorsport, the official licensed manufacturer and supplier of Avon Motorsport tire products, is delighted to announce a special long-term partnership with the Crossflow Cup from 2026. To mark the return of Avon Motorsport-branded tires to US circuits, Nova Motorsport will support the Crossflow Cup for Historic and Club Formula Ford race cars with a unique prize scheme that will see the brand provide Avon ACB9 prize tires to competitors throughout the five-round season.
HSR Accepting Eligible Car Submissions for the 2nd Annual HSR IMSA Classic
Fast off a spectacular 11th running of the HSR Classic Daytona 24 Hour presented by Mission Foods this past weekend at Daytona International Speedway (DIS), HSR Officials recently announced that eligible car qualification submissions are now being accepted in the first step to determine the select field of 20 cars that will participate in the 2nd Annual HSR IMSA Classic invitational race at the 64th Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 22 – 25, 2026.
IRC to Return with New Classes and Models in 2026
Innovation Race Cars (IRC) has secured a spot as a feature category on the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series – Season 4 bill as it ushers in new classes, launches another model and updated rules for 2026. Get more details here.
Mid-Engine GR Yaris Is Back On Track As Toyota Tries To Shrink 2.0 Turbo
Toyota isn’t letting a few development hiccups get in the way of its plans for a new mid-engined model. Months after reports surfaced that the carmaker had run into significant issues with its GR Yaris M Concept tester, the team has pressed ahead, refining the prototype and recently securing a third-place class finish in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series. CarScoops has all the details.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Sim Racer Wins PT Autosport Driver Shootout
A sim racer has one the real-world PT Autosport Driver Shootout and you will find out who it is in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. You will also find out how Charlie Eastwood is adding value as a sim driver for the Cadillac F1 team and much more!
I also have Part 3 of the Motorsport Prospects Beginner’s Guide to Sim Racing Rigs with the guide to High-End Sim Racing Rigs, the “ultimate experience.”
Track Days
Motorsport’s Wake-Up Call: How Pitt Race Vanished Without Warning
When news broke that Pittsburgh International Race Complex (PITT Race) was sold and set to close — with no warning — the motorsports world was stunned. In this emotional episode of Inside the SCCA, host Brian Bielanski sits down with longtime racer and insider Dan Dennehy-Rodriguez to unpack the shocking truth behind the sale, what really happened inside those closed-door zoning meetings, and what it means for the future of grassroots racing in America. You watch the episode above.
Porsche Opens its First Driving Center in Mexico
Porsche marks an important step with the opening of its first Driving Center in Latin America, a facility that underscores the brand’s long-term commitment to the region and its growing community of driving enthusiasts. Located at Mexico Drive Resort, an automotive complex near Mexico City, the new center offers driving experiences where visitors can explore Porsche’s performance characteristics.
The Return of Lamborghini Arena
Lamborghini Arena returns: the event that best embodies the spirit and passion of the House of Sant’Agata Bolognese. Following the success of the first edition, the gathering that captured the hearts of thousands of enthusiasts will be back on 9 and 10 May 2026 at the Imola Circuit, a venue symbolic of speed, energy and spectacle. Tickets are now officially available on the TicketOne website at the following link.
Lamborghini Arena was created with the aim of establishing a unique meeting point between the House of Sant’Agata Bolognese and its global community – a place where the brand comes to life through performance, design, innovation and togetherness. The 2026 edition will be further enhanced by a special highlight: the event will coincide with the second round of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe, uniting the world of racing with that of brand experience in one major celebration.
Is the Proposed JXB Proving Grounds the Future for Autocross?
Looking for a new autocross site? Maybe the answer is to build it. That’s the idea Jay Bullington proposed to help his local scene find a new place to autocross. And the JXB Proving Grounds might serve as the model for future venues for autocross use. Grassroots Motorsports has all the details.
Racing & Testing Opportunities
AE Victory Racing Opens Applications for 2026 Female Driver Development Program; Announces Expansion to Two-Car GT4 Effort
AE Victory Racing (AEVR), the women-led motorsport program forging new pathways for female competitors, has announced that applications are officially open for its 2026 Female Driver Shootout to determine who will participate in the 2026 Driver Development Program. In a major step forward for the team and its mission, AEVR also confirmed the acquisition of a second Toyota Supra GT4 EVO2, expanding to a two-car effort in the 2026 World Racing League (WRL) Championship.
“Expanding to two GT4 cars is a milestone for our program,” said Erin Vogel (team principal), “It allows us to create more opportunities for female drivers, more learning environments, and more meaningful paths into professional motorsport. I’m thrilled we can continue to expand this team and build on the passion of our efforts.”
Apply now through December 7th at AEVictoryRacing.com#Shooutout2026
Testing Opportunity Available with TLM USA
TLM USA has a testing opportunity November 14 ,28 and December 11 at Homestead Miami Speedway. Formula FARA Ligier F4 cars with Halo. Get ready for the 2026 championship. Limited availability. More information can be found at the TLM USA website here.
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects and the host of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast. 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.
