The driver-engineer relationship is critical to success on the track and in this episode of the Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup you will understand why. You will also find details on the new USF Pro 2000 chassis and more.
Overview
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
The Importance of a Strong Driver and Engineer Relationship
Further to Dan’s post about driver-engineer communication below, here is a post from Andrew Marangoni that expands on the topic. “The relationship between driver and engineer extends far beyond tire pressures and lap charts; at least, it should. The ‘work’ (technical faculties such as vehicle setup) constitutes only a small percentage of the engineer’s role, with everything from psychologist to translator to mediator filling the remainder of the spectrum.”
You may also want to have a listen to my interview with the CEO of Race On, Franco Chiocchetti, as we discuss the importance of working with true motorsport professional. You can listen to that here.
Racecraft Advice from Dan Wells
Here is some solid racecraft advice from Dan Wells of Drivers Lab. It is well worth following Dan on Instagram or LinkedIn if you are not already.
3 Reasons Why You’ll Be Faster with Left-Foot Braking
Left-foot braking is one of those techniques that divides opinion, but it’s a skill every driver should understand. In this practical article, Grassroots Motorsports explains how left-foot braking can reduce transition time between the throttle and brake, improve chassis balance, and give drivers greater control through a corner. Whether you ultimately adopt the technique or not, understanding when and why it works can make you a more complete driver. Read the full article here to decide if it’s a technique worth adding to your driving toolbox.
Level-Up Your Driving with Ross Bentley at Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit
Ross is conducting a Speed Secrets Level-Up program at Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit on September 25 and 26. After the last Level-Up program, the track put together a short video recap that you can watch here.
If you want more detailed information about what makes the Level-Up program special, check out this page on his website. And to reserve a spot for yourself, go directly to the Book Now button on VIMC’s webpage.
The September program is reserved for advanced track day and race drivers.
“Why join the Level-Up program? To improve your outright speed, adaptability, confidence, consistency, and control. On top of that, learn how to continue to learn on your own, so your development is never-ending. Oh, and have a blast! That’s all.“
Why You Need to Have a Unique Selling Point with Team Brit’s Mike Scudamore
My guest on the podcast this week is Mike Scudamore of Team Brit who explains why you need to have a unique selling point when approaching potential sponsors. He provides actionable advice on how to approach brands, structure sponsorship payments and much more. He also explains how Team Brit is inspiring people with disabilities to get involved in motorsport.
Listen to the full episode here!
Race Car & Series Developments
USF Pro Championships Announces Next-Gen USF Pro 2000 Chassis
The USF Pro Championships has unveiled renderings of the new chassis that will make its competition debut in 2028 for the top level of its renowned driver development ladder, USF Pro 2000. In collaboration with leading racecar manufacturer Tatuus, the APT-28 will begin prototype testing later this year in Italy before moving stateside.
The Tatuus APT-28 replaces the current Tatuus IP-22, which has served as a vital step in the careers of many rising stars of the sport including USF Pro 2000 champions Louis Foster, Myles Rowe, Lochie Hughes and Max Garcia since being introduced in 2022.
The one-piece carbon monocoque APT-28 features the latest FIA-enhanced impact and intrusion resistance with integrated full-length side anti-intrusion panels. The chassis is slightly larger than its predecessor and will feature Continental Tire-shod 15-inch wheels.
It will be powered by a Honda K20 C1 2.0-liter turbocharged engine developed by Elite Engines Inc. producing 320 to 360 horsepower, enhanced with a push-to-pass feature, providing competitors with a 45-85 increase in horsepower over the current engine package.
A full list of specifications can be found here.
Hypercar Driver Lineup Rules to Mirror LMP2 Pro-Am
The driver lineup requirements in the Hypercar class of the Asian Le Mans Series has been tweaked further since last month’s update, with series officials confirming the adoption of the same rules utilized in LMP2 Pro-Am.
Revealed in a letter to competitors on Tuesday, the new top class will continue to require a FIA Bronze-rated driver, but now exactly one per car, along with a maximum of one Platinum-rated driver. The third driver, meanwhile, could either be Silver or Gold-rated.
VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Shifts from Sprint to Enduro Format for 2027
IMSA has announced the 2027 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge calendar, which sees the sprint-based series shift to an all-endurance format with races between 90 minutes and three hours length.
Following the launch of the Airbnb Endurance Challenge in 2026 as a “championship within a championship” primarily for LMP3 cars, all seven VPRC events in 2027 will adopt the new dual-driver endurance format with most races lasting two hours.
FIA FR World Cup and FIA F4 World Cup Teams Confirmed
In partnership with the Macau Grand Prix Organising Committee (MGPOC) and the Automobile General Association Macao-China (AAMC), the FIA,has announced the teams that have been selected to contest the FIA FR World Cup and FIA F4 World Cup in Macau from 19-22 November.
Thirteen teams, each running two Tatuus T 326 FIA Formula Regional Gen2 cars, have been confirmed for the headlining FIA FR World Cup, which also counts as the 73rd Macau Grand Prix, with the highly competitive 26-car line-up including pacesetting FIA Formula Regional European Championship outfits, the winning teams from the 2025 FIA FR World Cup and Formula Regional Japanese Championship, plus a team representing the historic legacy and international heritage of motor sport in Macau.
Full details can be found here.
ATM to Power Both FIA FR World Cup and FIA F4 World Cup Teams at Macau GP
A new milestone in Autotecnica Motori’s racing journey. At the 2026 Macau Grand Prix, Autotecnica Motori will power the FIA Formula Regional World Cup and the FIA Formula 4 World Cup with two generations of racing engines.
The new ATM163T and the proven ATM Abarth Formula 4 engine represent our continued commitment to developing the technologies that shape tomorrow’s champions.
ORECA Targeting 2027 Q2 Rollout for New LMP2 Car
ORECA is targeting a second-quarter rollout for its all-new Oreca 09 LMP2 car next year according to technical director Remi Taffin, who confirmed they’re well into the design phase despite not yet having a finalized set of technical regulations.
Racers Get Tire Rebates as Part of ChampCar-BFGoodrich Partnership
ChampCar names BFGoodrich as its official tire partner, but what does that mean for competitors? For starters, rebates toward select BFGoodrich tires. Grassroots Motorsports has all the details here.
Revolution Race Cars Reveals Details of HyperSport Powertrain
Following the unveiling of the Revolution HyperSport in April, Revolution Race Cars has released further technical information on the car’s powertrain package, underlining a clear focus on durability, responsiveness and drivability for track-day and racing use.
At the heart of the HyperSport sits a mid-mounted 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. Based on the proven Mazda MZR architecture, the unit has been extensively re-engineered to motorsport specifications, with bespoke internal components designed to withstand sustained high-load circuit use and align with the company’s mantra for the HyperSport: ‘Designed to exhilarate, not intimidate’.
Full details can be found at the Revolution Race Cars website here.
Crandon International Raceway and Ultra4 USA Series Finalize New Three-Year Partnership
Crandon International Raceway and the Ultra4 USA series have announced a new three-year agreement making the Crandon Ultra4 Short Course World Championship an official part of the Ultra4 USA national landscape through the 2028 season.
2027 Calendar News
- Expanded Calendar, Drop Rounds for Porsche Sprint Challenge North America (Sportscar365)
- 2027 calendar for the Formula Middle East has been officially announced (FMET)
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Chris Lulham’s Journey from Sims to Spa
Chris Lulham went from sim racing to racing with Max Verstappen at Spa and you will understand how in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also have advice from Kyle Larson on how sim racing helps with training and more!
Track Days
Why Racer Randy Pobst Keeps Coming Back to Budget Endurance Racing
Randy Pobst explains why he keeps participating in budget endurance racing in this article at Grassroots Motorsports. “Budget endurance is where creative race car “engineering” actually lives these days. GRM readers are no doubt aware that pro racing is now in cars built by manufacturers, often spec cars, like in NASCAR and IndyCar. The machines you see at budget endurance events are often incredible Frankenstein monsters with engine and chassis and even body swaps. I get the biggest kick out of seeing what’s in the paddock at Lucky Dog and all.”
RAFA Racing, XSpace Group, Maximo Capital Launch Joint Venture to Scale Luxury Car Community Network Nationwide
RAFA Racing Club, Maximo Capital, and XSpace Group today announced that they have entered into a joint venture to develop a landmark series of five luxury multi-use industrial condominium projects across the United States — creating the ultimate ecosystem for automotive culture and community. The program’s first phase will focus on projects in Miami/Boca Raton, FL; Charlotte/Mooresville, NC; Dallas/Fort Worth, TX; Scottsdale/Phoenix, AZ; and Los Angeles, CA, with additional markets across the country, including Las Vegas, NV, under evaluation for subsequent phases. The five-project first phase is projected to generate $250 million in total sales revenue.
More details can be found in the press release 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.
