Daytona 500 Champion Trevor Bayne is becoming a member of Flatrock Motorclub as Head Professional and Ambassador. Naturally, we have been enthusiastic about this improvement and requested Bayne just a few questions concerning his plans throughout his upcoming tenure at Flatrock Motorclub.
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duPont REGISTRY (dR): What excites you most about becoming a member of Flatrock Motorclub as Head Professional and Ambassador?
Trevor Bayne (TB): I couldn’t be extra excited {that a} world-class motorsports facility now exists an hour from the place I grew up and the place I’m now elevating my household. Over my 28 years in motorsports, I’ve been blessed with superb alternatives to drive, compete, develop companies, and type lifelong relationships. This function at Flatrock Motorclub will enable me to proceed doing all of these issues. As I’ve transitioned out of full time NASCAR competitors, new passions for me throughout the sport have emerged that I didn’t notice have been there. A kind of passions is teaching younger drivers and serving to them take full benefit of the alternatives they’ve in entrance of them. I actually look ahead to seeing all of our members develop as drivers and attain their objectives, because the Head Professional at Flatrock. As an Ambassador, I’m enthusiastic about rising the model and consciousness throughout the motorsports group of how extremely distinctive Flatrock is as a race monitor and as an leisure group! Lastly, I believe that now we have the chance to construct one thing that may change future alternatives for these domestically who, till now, have needed to journey states away to pursue their motorsports passions. I take into consideration my 5 children and a few of their wishes to drive. As soon as the karting facility is full, they’ll have an unbelievable place to get began! To sum it up, this place is the right storm that encompasses all the pieces I like about motorsports.
dR: How do you propose to leverage your expertise as a NASCAR driver to raise Flatrock’s choices?
TB: My expertise as a driver for the reason that age of 5 has allowed me to compete in many various autos, collection, and on tracks all internationally. This has allowed me to see numerous examples of how to achieve success on this business. The very first thing that involves thoughts is security. In my time as a NASCAR driver, I noticed how massive of an emphasis was placed on each single element from seat belt positioning to trace security crew processes, and can be capable to carry that data to our workforce. Security is one thing that can be entrance and middle of what we do right here at Flatrock Motorclub. Subsequent, I take into consideration all the time I’ve spent competing in opposition to the highest drivers on the planet and the way we will take what I realized and make that approachable and teachable to our members. Lastly, Whether or not or not it’s workforce house owners, OEMs, enterprise leaders, monitor house owners, collection operators, drivers, and so forth., the numerous relationships I’ve been lucky to type over time can be invaluable to what we need to accomplish right here at Flatrock.
dR: What distinctive elements of Flatrock’s design and facilities stand out to you as a racer?
TB: This facility was designed and constructed with a really particular function; to serve its members on the highest degree. From the time you pull into the entrance gate you possibly can immediately inform you aren’t at simply any previous monitor. The truth that you would be turning laps on monitor whereas your loved ones is watching out of your storage loft porch or spending time at one of many eating places, spa, or pool by the clubhouse is mind-blowing to me. After I was rising up on the monitor, we have been fortunate to discover a transportable lavatory or concession stand anyplace on property! This challenge is “luxurious hospitality assembly world-class motorsports.” It doesn’t damage that the monitor is about within the lovely hills of East Tennessee both which, in all honesty, I’m extraordinarily a fan of!
dR: How will the design and options of Flatrock’s street course improve the expertise for members?
TB: The structure and elevation make Flatrock’s monitor one among a sort. It’s a technical and quick monitor with a very good move to it. There are many distinctive challenges that can preserve any driver from getting complacent. Beginning at flip 1, you drop down a pair tales as you flip proper and attempt to spot the apex curbing. A pair corners later you’re on seventeen levels of banking in a high-speed right-hand flip. When you navigate the up and down eases, and a handful of extra technical corners, you end up on our longest straightway that includes a high-speed kink (maintain it huge open in case you can!). I’ve in all probability made extra laps than anybody on our monitor, they usually have a tough time convincing me to get out of the automotive each time now we have a monitor day! It’s a lot enjoyable to drive and all the time leaves you enthusiastic about how one can put a quicker lap time collectively.
dR: How does Flatrock’s FIA Grade II monitor elevate its standing within the international motorsport group?
TB: Going by means of the Homologation course of with the FIA implies that we meet all security necessities to host just about any collection (wanting Formulation 1) on our monitor. We’re additionally the one FIA grade ii function constructed membership monitor on the planet upon completion. That is simply one other manner the workforce reveals our dedication to offer a world class monitor for our members to drive on.
dR: Are you able to share an instance of a memorable mentorship expertise and the way it formed your teaching type?
TB: I’m so grateful for everybody who has helped me all through my profession. First I consider my dad, who has by no means missed a lap of one among my races and would inform me each element that occurred on the drive residence… as if I hadn’t simply lived it. He has been there by means of the ups and downs and by no means let me let up on pursuing my goals. Subsequent, I consider my shut pal Michael McDowell who was first employed to assist coach me on street programs once I was driving for Michael Waltrip again in 2009. He’s an sincere pal who will let you know like it’s, however in a manner that allows you to know he’s pulling for you. It is a powerful stability and one which I’m all the time striving to implement. He’s additionally a really sensible drawback solver. Subsequent, I consider my pal Blake Koch, who’s the encourager. He all the time finds a technique to make you are feeling like you would run by means of a brick wall with sufficient preparation. As I coach, I hope to be as dedicated as my dad, maintain drivers accountable assist them overcome hurdles like Michael, and encourage them like Blake.
dR: As somebody who began racing at age 5, how does it really feel to now be able to mentor younger drivers?
TB: What an honor it’s to be in a spot to have a long-lasting affect on the following technology of drivers. Racecar drivers can typically really feel remoted and function on an island. Rivals could be the solely individuals who can relate or perceive what you’re going by means of, however it may be onerous to construct these relationships as they’re the folks you’re up in opposition to each week. That’s the place folks like myself are available. Whether or not or not it’s on or off the monitor, I’ve been there to expertise the identical issues they’re going by means of and can assist stroll them by means of these struggles. Hopefull,y I can assist them forestall a few of these struggles earlier than they ever get there. So far as driving, I’m additionally a really data-driven individual so I’m not simply there to share what I learn about racing with them. I additionally love to sit down down and take a look at movie and information to seek out the potential areas to enhance. Nothing makes me really feel extra proud than once I see one among my drivers exit and implement one thing we talked about and go quicker!
dR: What recommendation would you give to younger drivers aspiring to observe in your footsteps?
TB: Be totally current within the present alternative! It’s so essential to make the most of the chance you’ve got proper now and never all the time be wanting on the subsequent one. If you happen to can take advantage of the place you’re right this moment, then tomorrow will handle itself! One of the best ways to try this is to remain centered, be relentless in preparation, and notice the significance of the tradition you’re constructing because the chief of your workforce. There’s all the time a necessity for funding and sponsorship in motorsports, so there may be all the time going to be an enormous emphasis on the relationships you’re constructing that may assist assist your goals financially as properly.
dR: What traits do you see shaping the way forward for motorsports, and the way is Flatrock positioned to embrace them?
TB: I’ve seen an enormous shift in curiosity in direction of street course racing over the previous few years, even within NASCAR. After I first began on the prime degree, we had two street programs on the schedule (Watkins Glen and Sonoma). This season they’ll race on six street course circuits. Once you couple that with the rising curiosity in Formulation One it appears to color a transparent image that followers are having fun with the motion they’re seeing at some of these tracks. We’re additionally seeing passionate motorsports fanatics wanting to seek out methods to get on monitor themselves. That’s the place Flatrock Motorclub creates the right bridge. It actually doesn’t matter when you have by no means been on monitor or if you’re a younger driver who desires as many laps as attainable throughout race season, Flatrock Motorclub gives the chance for each sorts to succeed in their objectives.
One other development is offering Subsequent Degree hospitality. I believe a part of that’s as a result of our tradition has shifted so closely in direction of distinctive experiences. For sponsors, the game is not about placing a enterprise on the scheme of a automotive. It’s now about entertaining visitors and clients with an expertise that they couldn’t purchase anyplace else. Flatrock Motorclub has totally leaned into that with the design of a few of the nicest facilities of any monitor on the planet.
Flatrock is likely one of the coolest tracks to drive coupled with all the pieces you would ever need from a rustic membership!
This text appeared in our March 2025 Subject.
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