Motorsport Prospects Weekly Debrief for August 13, 2021 – Race Driver Development Videos Galore and Much More!

The Motorsport Prospects Weekly Debrief is back after a week’s absence while I was fishing and out of contact with anything digital. While it was a nice break, this week’s Debrief is chock-a-block full of great race driver development tips and techniques with a lot of it being videos. So pull up a chair and enjoy this week’s Debrief.

Driver Development News, Tips & Techniques

• In a previous Weekly Debrief I brought you Part 1 so here is “The Mindset of Champions” Blog Part 2 – What we learnt from our evening with Sir Jackie Stewart OBE and Damon Hill OBE.

• Enzo Mucci was a guest with Belinda Riseley and Matt Payne on the Motiv8 Training podcast and here is their conversation on What It Takes To Succeed As A Race Driver.

• Check out this video on Transforming Human Performance in F1 – an insider view to 20 years of success. Fascinating stuff.

• Now that we looked at human performance through an F1 lens, let’s take a look at Scott Dixon’s training regime to stay race-winning fit.

• Continuing on with the physical conditioning theme, here is an exercise from Jim Leo of PitFit Training from his monthly workout tip. From Jim’s newsletter:

Band-Resisted Deadbug is a great exercise to help strengthen the core. Core strength is important in maintaining proper posture, balance, and stability. Having a strong core helps minimize the risks of falls or other injuries. For this exercise you are going to wrap a band around a post and lie flat on your back. You will grab one side of the band in each hand while extending your arms over your shoulders. Bend your knees to 90 degrees and lift your feet off of the ground. It is important that your low back maintains contact with the ground. From here you are going to open mouth exhale, drive your ribcage down, and begin to extend on leg out while holding it above the ground. Hold this position for a few seconds while you inhale. As you begin to exhale again you will return to the starting position. Repeat this process with the opposite leg.

PitFit Training Newsletter August 2021

• There have been some great announcements on some cool driver development programs in the last week. Here are a few of them that you might want to look into.
  • The Heart of Racing has announced “New Zealand’s Newest Racing Driver Academy” as they have launched a development academy. “In partnership with International Motorsport, the academy will sponsor three young Kiwis to compete in the Best Bars Toyota 86 Championship in an effort to further develop their skills and experience behind the wheel. The carefully selected drivers will work alongside the International Motorsport team where they will learn what it takes to be a competitive driver on and off the track. They will also have access to The Heart of Racing’s professional driver roster including international endurance racing stars Alex Riberas, Gray Newell, Ian James, Roman De Angelis, and Ross Gunn. The team’s pro roster will be an ongoing resource for the up-and-coming Kiwis, sharing their tips and tricks for life as a professional driver.” You can get more details from The Heart of Racing.
  • IMSA has announced a brand new scholarship program. Check out IMSA Launches Diverse Driver Development Scholarship Program.
  • I don’t deal with karting very often but this is notable: Nitro Kart Continues to Expand Motorsports Reach with TransAm Program.
  • Finally, here is a great article on Renee Dupuis and the Track Night in America program. Check out Renee Dupuis Helping More People On Track – Track Night in America.

• Applications for the Asia Pacific & Oceania region Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) selection program are now being accepted. The countries eligible to take part in the Oceania Ferrari Driver Academy based in Australia include Australia, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and China. Click here to apply.

• In arguably the most prestigious weekend for a young race driver, the 2021 Formula Ford Festival has announced that they are taking entries. Get all the details here.

• Yacademy have announced their winter testing dates for 2021. As per Yacademy “For the past three years, the Yacademy Winter Series has successfully hosted a great amount of pre season testing days catered to all the junior open wheel classes in North America. By doing these kind of organized testing and thanks to the support of all of the top teams in the sport, Yacademy Winter Series has been able to hosts tests at some of the top tracks in the country with the goal of making it affordable for teams and drivers to participate.” Full details can be found here. Dates and prices in USD are as follows:
  • October 14 – 15 – Road America – $2000
  • Nov 2-3 – Indianapolis Lucas Oil oval – $1000
  • November 15th – Barber – Indy Lights Only – $3750
  • December 6-7 Barber – $1750
  • December 13-14 Sebring – $1500
  • December 15 – Sebring – Indy Lights only – $3500
  • December 16-17 Homestead – $1250

• I have posted articles on the topic of mental health in the hope and belief that open discussion will reduce the stigmatization that somehow seems to attach itself to mental health and the athlete. As Olympians Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka have spoken up about with their struggles, NASCAR, IndyCar Drivers Open Up about Mental Health.

• Unfortunately, the Motorsport Games’ second edition postponed by another year.

• Here are two great videos related to driver development that you should check out as they offer valuable tips and insight.

The Business of Being a Race Driver

• Sports Law is a fascinating branch of the law in that it encompasses so many different areas of the law be it contracts, administrative, corporate/commercial, insurance, employment and more. A recent motorsport law case in the UK has raised some interesting points that all drivers racing for a team should at least be familiar with. While it may seem obvious that a team is providing a service, this case argues that the driver is providing one as well. Check out Junior single-seater case goes to High Court of Justice in UK and as always, this does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a lawyer in your jurisdiction for any legal matters.

• A new digital service called Open Fender has been launched aimed at helping drivers at all level obtain sponsorship. You can read a write-up about it over at Winding Road or watch the following video that describes visually what they are offering.

• Here are some great sponsorship and branding-related videos that are highly recommended. Remember, knowledge is power!

• Finally, have a look at this video about digital media and motorsport with Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen Digital Media Manager Pedro Cebrian.

Series News

• Another week and another week of sportscar-related developments as programs are announced fast and furiously on the run-up to Le Mans. Here is what has been happening:
  • Lamborghini to become sixth LMDh manufacturer
  • Alpine to demo F1 car at Le Mans ahead of likely Hypercar announcement
  • HPD Confirms Details of Acura NSX GT3 Evo22
  • Brabham Announces GT2 Intentions with BT63 Concept
  • Cadillac LMDh Announcement Delayed Again
  • Toyota Will “Obviously Consider” IMSA Outings with LMH Car
  • Reinke: Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II “Solely Focused” on Customers
  • IMSA further outlines 2022 GT class structure
  • Teams Voice Support of GTD Pro, GTD Alignment
  • Ratel Committed to IGTC Despite Global Travel Challenges
  • INTERVIEW: IMSA President John Doonan on LMH/LMDh and more

• While it came as no surprise, it was still somewhat of a shock when the British F3 series rebranded as GB3 mid-season. Formula Scout has an excellent timeline of all the changes this series has gone through recently.

• Speaking of F3 (and of course that designation now only applies to the FIA championship), there are apparently 18 teams interested in participating in 2022. As they mull over their options, the FIA admit that they are working on the 2022 format for both F2 and F3 with a decision imminent.

• Down under it looks like Supercars are in negotiations with a third manufacturer.

Business of Motorsport

• Some interesting tidbits of news relating to the business of motorsport that occurred over the last few weeks. Here is just a sample.
  • McLaren Racing Investing In IndyCar Team
  • Ferrari Triples Q2 Earnings
  • Audi’s McNish explains why relevance for manufacturers is key in F1 engine talks
  • Red Bull Racing and CAA Sports extend sponsorship sales deal
  • Nascar Reacts Differently As Talk Of Drivers Organizing Surfaces Once More
  • NASCAR launches STEM partnership
  • Gow could combine BTCC, Supercars commitments
  • Alfa Romeo sponsorship deal spells the end of new F1 manufacturer teams
  • The 2nd Annual Online RACE INDUSTRY WEEK will be held, Nov 29 – Dec 3, 2021

From the Motorsport Prospects Archives

• In case you missed it last week, here is an overview of what has been happening on Motorsport Prospects since September of last year. Look for bigger and better in the coming weeks and months!

The Last Lap

As I conclude this week’s Debrief I have to admit that while my vacation was fantastic and it was great to get away, it is nice to be back in the thick of things in motorsport. Here are some cool things that caught my eye over the last few weeks.

• It never fails to amaze me when I see the motorsport community come together for a great cause and this is yet another example. Sim racing group raises over 10,000 euros for German flood relief.

• Speaking of community, on Saturday 7th August 2021 at Snetterton Circuit, an intense fire broke out in the paddocks destroying Alastair Rushforth Motorsport’s race truck, Will Ortons race gear and helmet, awning, spare parts and tools. There is literally nothing left. Here is how you can help out.

• Ever wonder what happened to the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving? Read this story over at Forbes. It reads like a sad soap opera but at least Bob is positive that things are now going in the right direction.

• Yes I hear you! Here is a Lap of Road America With Bill Auberlen.

That is it for this week. See you next Friday for another Weekly Debrief. Until then, stay safe and I will see you at the track!