How to learn a race track is just one of the topics covered in this week’s edition of the Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup. I also have advice on how to control your emotions, the benefits of a sports psychologist and much more!
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
On-Track
Enzo Mucci provides a simple tool to master your emotions fast. “This is where Enzo shares his North Star Override Filter technique. Look after the mindset and your decsions follow.”
Here are three great racecraft articles from Grassroots Motorsports.
- Look Ahead: You’ve heard it plenty, but what does it really mean?
- How to quickly assess a student driver’s abilities
- How racing karts reinforced driving fundamentals for just $100
Circuit Tools 3 for VBox is out now. Whether you’re a driver looking to shave seconds off your lap times, a coach guiding athletes to victory, or an engineer optimising vehicle performance, Circuit Tools 3 delivers powerful new tools in a cleaner, more modern interface.
Samir Abid of Your Data Driven provides a step-by-step guide on how to learn a race track. “In this article, I share a step-by-step guide to help you learn a race track quickly and effectively. By using deliberate practice and a combination of mental and physical exercises, you’ll soon be able to drive out of pits and be straight on the pace. Know each sequence of corners, all the key reference markers. You know which kerbs to cut, and which not too. Where to push, and where not too.”
Off-Track
George Russell has recounted a positive conversation he had with a psychologist as he prepared to face Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. “So, I was thinking about how I’m going to deal with this psychologically until one day I had a really good conversation with my psychologist about it, how I should deal with the pressure of being his team-mate.”
Race Car & Series Developments
Greg Gill and Stephane Ratel talk about how the format changes to GTWC America and GT America for next year is seeing the series experience double interest. “It’s been very good,” Gill told Sportscar365 on 2026 interest levels. “It did start at Spa at the announcement. We started getting some traction there. But then when the schedule dropped, it gave everybody [full confirmation]. It’s been a double interest.”
The Ligier European Series has unveiled its 2026 calendar. The series, which continues to attract a growing number of international teams and drivers, is already preparing for its seventh season with six iconic European motorsport venues. This announcement follows the renewal of the partnership between Ligier Automotive and Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM), confirmed last July 8 for three additional seasons, through the end of 2028. An agreement that guarantees stability and long-term prospects for this recognized stepping stone into endurance racing.
The 2026 Michelin Le Mans Cup calendar will feature the same six venues as this season, with one important difference. The annual trip to Le Mans in June will, for the first time, feature a single three-hour race on the full 13.6km Circuit de La Sarthe on Friday 12th June instead of the two 1-hour races run at previous events in support of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Porsche Motorsport North America gears up for 2026 with a full slate of one-make racing championships and track day events. All Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West, Porsche Endurance Challenge North America, and Porsche GT Track Day events will continue to be sanctioned by USAC, Porsche Motorsport North America’s official licensing partner.
For 2026, USAC will also continue to provide test day opportunities at most venues, giving current and prospective racers added track access to prepare for competition.
Motorsport Australia has moved to fill a void in the local landscape by launching a new Nationals platform for 2026. MA attempted to fill that gap with a hastily assembled Trophy Tour this year, which has tried to connect categories to various club and circuited-promoted, state-level events. The Motorsport Australia Nationals is also based on that concept of providing a national calendar made up of various independently promoted meetings, including state rounds.
Further details have been announced regarding the new GT3 Revival Series, which will launch in 2026 under the guidance of Peter Auto and SRO Motorsports Group. Eligible cars span the first eight years of GT3 competition and will be separated into two categories: those homologated between 2006 and 2009 represent Gen I, while cars from 2010–2013 make up Gen II. A total of four classes will compete on-track at the same time, with Pro-Am and Am for both generations.
The series will be open to drivers with an FIA categorisation of Gold, Silver or Bronze, with a distinction made within the latter group based on experience, age and past success. Gold and Silver drivers will be permitted to compete in the Pro-Am class, where they will share with a Bronze. In the Am class, two Bronze drivers may share a car or elect to race solo.
With the scope, scale and level of GT3-eligible series worldwide continuing to expand, there seems to be no end in sight for what has become the most successful Grand Touring class in the sport’s history. Daily Sportscar thought they’d take a look at what’s out there on the market based on what is eligible to race in these vintage GT3 series. With no fewer than 18 different marques and 34 different GT3 models eligible, many of them have several examples currently on the market!
The 2026 European Fun Cup schedule has been released with the season kicking off in South Africa before going on the Europe. You can get all the details here.
The popular Caterham Academy race series will switch to turbo engines for 2026. Horse Technologies will supply its 1.3 litre, HR13 turbo in-line four to power the Caterham Seven Academy race cars from next season, taking over from the 1.6 litre Ford Sigma normally aspirated unit currently used in the Academy cars.
Formula Open New Zealand (FONZ) has announced that its race series will take a hiatus for the 2025/26 season, with plans to return in 2027. Following discussions with drivers, FONZ has decided to restructure the series, limiting each season to three or four rounds, featuring two high-profile meetings in each island. As a result, organising race meetings for 2025/26 is not practical.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Why a simulator is critical to an F1 team for 2026 is one of the topics covered in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also have a peek at Pierre Gasly’s sim rig setup, some racecraft advice and much more!
Track Days
Grassroots Motorsports had the opportunity to provide an insider’s look at Circuit Florida including a track run. “Circuit Florida–located roughly equidistant between Tampa and Orlando, and close enough to I-4 that you could practically throw a Frisbee into traffic–certainly faced these challenges, but our visit showed how the facility is meeting the expectations of its burgeoning membership.”
It was the week before a big regulatory milestone for the Uwharrie Motorsports Park and Resort when the project’s leaders got some of the worst news possible: A key investor was backing out for health reasons. The leadership of Autoport, the developer of the motorsports park, is now looking for other funding sources at the same time it’s moving forward with marketing for membership. So far, the funding shortfall has not changed the scope of the project.
Racing & Testing Opportunities
FernGP has drives available for the Winter Series (already underway) and for the 2026 season. From their social media:
We offer full arrive & drive packages, including:
• Testing opportunities
• Winter Series drives
• Full race season entries
Our packages provide a professional race team environment, technical support, and media visibility – designed to let drivers focus on performance.
Contact info@ferngp.com
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.
