This week on Racecraft & Driver Development News, Tips & Techniques I have some great racecraft tips and techniques related to how to drive fast consistently, why you need a personal coach and mastering driver self-critique. I also have driver development news including a date for the Team Canada Scholarship Shootout, a NASCAR driver development program for international drivers, more driver development program news, a track day for women interested in racing and much more.
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
- On Episode 161 of the Speed Secrets Podcast, Peter Krause explains How to Drive Fast, Consistently. “On this week’s episode, Peter Krause (fellow coach and data guru) joins me to talk all things driving fast – consistently! We get into why driving the limit is more important than the line, raising corner entry speed, and more! joins me to talk all things driving fast – consistently! We get into why driving the limit is more important than the line, raising corner entry speed, and leading the throttle existing corners.”
- Grassroots Motorsports explains Why you need a personal driving coach. “The answer is quite simple. As good as you are, you can be much better.”
- Grassroots Motorsports also has a great article called How to Master the Driving Self-Critique. “Driving coach E. Paul Dickinson explains how you can still monitor and critique your own driving using your built-in data acquisition device–your brain. In the end, you’ll be lapping faster and safer than ever.”
Driver Development News & Resources
- The Team Canada Scholarship has announced that their first ever shootout event will take place on August 28-29, 2022. If you are a Canadian race driver that satisfies the qualification requirements, make sure to register at the Team Canada Scholarship website for consideration. In the interest of transparency, I am part of the Team Canada Scholarship Executive Committee but have no input in driver selection. That will be up to our driver coaches including James Hichcliffe and Robert Wickens.
- Future Star Racing is looking for their next driver. They are “committed to helping young drivers advance to the next level in their driving and professional careers.” Their team is directed and coached by two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser, Jr., along with a stellar team that includes Kelly Jones, RaceCraft1, Andy O’Gara, Sarah Fisher, and a professional mechanics/data/support crew. Full details and how you can apply can be found here.
- Last week Team Stange Racing announced the formation of a driver development program with the explicit goal of helping international drivers break into the world of NASCAR and stock car racing. It will be led by team vice president Doug Knight. The program’s first member is Matteo Nannini, who will run a part-time ARCA Menards Series schedule in the team’s #46 Ford Mustang starting at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on 8 July.
- Jack Young will remain with the JAS Motorsport Driver Development Program for a second year, with the Northern Irish racer seeking to build on a solid 2021 campaign. Young started work with JAS last year on the program and spent the season competing with the Brutal Fish Racing team in TCR Europe.
- The Della Penna Foundation will officially launch on May 18th at the 2022 Indy 500. They’re organizing a VIP event to celebrate the Foundation’s first full year of existence at the Dallara IndyCar Factory. Let them know if you’d like to sponsor, donate an item for the silent auction or buy a ticket.
- On April 9th and 10th, Apex V2R in collaboration with Shannonville Motorsport Park will be hosting a Motorsport Safety Foundation Level 2 Course. Required to participate is successful completion of the MSF Level 1 Online Course and a safe vehicle to operate on track. This 2 day training is filled with in class discussions and on track scenarios. The content covers topics such as the basics of HPDE, adult learning principals, communication skills, vehicle dynamics and much more. The cost includes registration with MSF, the course and lunches for both days. Full details can be found here.
- If you’re new to performance driving or have always wanted to find out what your car can do (and what you can do in a car!) Women Setting the Pace is your chance to experience the thrill of the track in a safe, supportive environment, under the guidance of experienced instructors. Organized by ProFormance Racing School, no track experience is necessary and it takes place on June 1st. Get all the details here.
- “Trying to make men’s clothing fit a woman’s body is usually not an easy task and can create feelings of not belonging, which may challenge one’s level of comfort and participation,” explains Kelly Franko, owner of Seraphina Safety Apparel. “Having gear that is designed for women can change that.
- Speed Cafe reports that Motorsport Australia has opened up the pathway for aspiring drivers to secure a Superlicence, making the system less Dunlop Super2 Series-focused. While Super2 is still considered the premier pathway to the Repco Supercars Championship, the change is designed to give more weight to other categories.
- While race drivers get all the glory, Daniel Ricciardo reminds us all that there is no ‘I’ in Team.
- Episode 36 of “Inside the SCCA” pulls back the curtain of what it takes to become a steward in the SCCA. Even if you do not intend to be a steward, as a race driver it is important to understand what they do and why.
- Finally, between 09:00 and 14:00 on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 April, Motorsport UK is pleased to invite members to its Bicester HQ for an exclusive viewing of Indira Flack’s Great British Racing Drivers (GBRD) exhibition. Alongside Indira’s exhibition, Motorsport UK members are invited to tour the governing body’s new HQ, view the history of British motorsport mural, try their hand on our state-of-the-art simulators, and meet key members of the team. More details on how to sign up can be found here.
Driver Snapshots
Learning from the experience of others is key to succeeding in any walk of life and racing is no different. In Driver Snapshots, I will feature the experiences of various drivers where you can get some perspective on what they have gone through (and continue to go through) as they work to make their motorsport careers happen. I hope you can take some lessons from these experiences and apply them to your own motorsport careers.
Bobby Trundley and Aaron Morgan – Nothing is Impossible
As Bobby Trundley and Aaron Morgan prepare to make the leap into British GT this season, they want to showcase how disabled drivers can compete on a level playing field. They are preparing to drive a McLaren 570S GT4 in the series for Team BRIT, the squad that offers opportunities in motorsport for people with a variety of mental and physical disabilities. Aaron Morgan: “When I was lying in my hospital bed thinking, ‘Why did this happen to me?’, if someone said in 15 years’ time you’re going to be racing a McLaren in the British GT Championship, I would have said, ‘What fantasy are you living in?’” admits Morgan. “The whole team’s ethos is believe and achieve, and I’ve shown what’s possible for disabled drivers. It’s an amazing opportunity, which I’m so grateful for.”
McRae Kimathi – Don’t Be Afraid To Be a Pioneer
Named after World Rally Championship great Colin McRae, it was perhaps destined that Kenya’s McRae Kimathi would set foot in a rally car. Well-versed when it comes to challenges in both life and competition, the sub-Saharan McRae is blazing a trail for African rally drivers. “I think this a big moment for African rally as I don’t think there has been anyone who has tried to compete in this part of the world. Hopefully I can be a pioneer of this project, and hopefully maybe the WRC can see there are some good drivers back in Africa and with the right infrastructure and the right platform maybe we can find a ladder to rise to the WRC.” Don’t be shy to be a pioneer for others and do it with humility and conviction.