Daytona 500 Champion Trevor Bayne is becoming a member of Flatrock Motorclub as Head Professional and Ambassador. Naturally, we had been enthusiastic about this improvement and requested Bayne a number of questions relating to 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 wonderful alternatives to drive, compete, develop companies, and type lifelong relationships. This position at Flatrock Motorclub will permit 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 had been there. A type of passions is teaching younger drivers and serving to them take full benefit of the alternatives they’ve in entrance of them. I really stay up for seeing all of our members develop as drivers and attain their targets, 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 observe and as an leisure group! Lastly, I feel that we now have the chance to construct one thing that may change future alternatives for these regionally who, till now, have needed to journey states away to pursue their motorsports passions. I take into consideration my 5 youngsters and a few of their needs to drive. As soon as the karting facility is full, they may have an unbelievable place to get began! To sum it up, this place is the proper storm that encompasses every little thing I like about motorsports.
dR: How do you intend 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 alternative autos, collection, and on tracks all the world over. 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 huge of an emphasis was placed on each single element from seat belt positioning to trace security crew processes, and can have the ability to carry that information to our staff. Security is one thing that can be entrance and heart of what we do right here at Flatrock Motorclub. Subsequent, I take into consideration all the time I’ve spent competing towards the highest drivers on this planet and the way we are able to take what I realized and make that approachable and teachable to our members. Lastly, Whether or not or not it’s staff house owners, OEMs, enterprise leaders, observe house owners, collection operators, drivers, and so on., 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 facets 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’ll be able to immediately inform you aren’t at simply any previous observe. The truth that you may be turning laps on observe 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 observe, we had been fortunate to discover a transportable rest room or concession stand anyplace on property! This venture is “luxurious hospitality assembly world-class motorsports.” It doesn’t damage that the observe is ready within the stunning 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 format and elevation make Flatrock’s observe one in every of a form. It’s a technical and quick observe with a extremely good movement to it. There are many distinctive challenges that can hold 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 contains a high-speed kink (maintain it huge open in case you can!). I’ve in all probability made extra laps than anybody on our observe, they usually have a tough time convincing me to get out of the automobile each time we now have a observe day! It’s a lot enjoyable to drive and at all times leaves you enthusiastic about how one can put a sooner lap time collectively.
dR: How does Flatrock’s FIA Grade II observe elevate its standing within the international motorsport group?
TB: Going by way of the Homologation course of with the FIA implies that we meet all security necessities to host just about any collection (in need of Method 1) on our observe. We’re additionally the one FIA grade ii function constructed membership observe on this planet upon completion. That is simply one other manner the staff exhibits our dedication to supply a world class observe 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 fashion?
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 in every of 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 way of the ups and downs and by no means let me let up on pursuing my goals. Subsequent, I consider my shut good friend 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 trustworthy good friend 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 robust stability and one which I’m at all times striving to implement. He’s additionally a really sensible downside solver. Subsequent, I consider my good friend Blake Koch, who’s the encourager. He at all times finds a strategy to make you are feeling like you may run by way 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 ready to mentor younger drivers?
TB: What an honor it’s to be in a spot to have an enduring impression on the subsequent technology of drivers. Racecar drivers can usually really feel remoted and function on an island. Opponents will be the solely individuals who can relate or perceive what you’re going by way of, however it may be onerous to construct these relationships as they’re the folks you’re up towards each week. That’s the place folks like myself are available in. Whether or not or not it’s on or off the observe, I’ve been there to expertise the identical issues they’re going by way of and can assist stroll them by way 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 particular person so I’m not simply there to share what I learn about racing with them. I additionally love to take a seat down and take a look at movie and knowledge to search out the potential areas to enhance. Nothing makes me really feel extra proud than once I see one in every of my drivers exit and implement one thing we talked about and go sooner!
dR: What recommendation would you give to younger drivers aspiring to comply with in your footsteps?
TB: Be absolutely current within the present alternative! It’s so vital to benefit from the chance you’ve got proper now and never at all times be wanting on the subsequent one. For those who can benefit from the place you’re at the moment, then tomorrow will maintain itself! One of the simplest ways to do this is to remain centered, be relentless in preparation, and notice the significance of the tradition you’re constructing because the chief of your staff. There’s at all times a necessity for funding and sponsorship in motorsports, so there may be at all times going to be an enormous emphasis on the relationships you’re constructing that may assist assist your goals financially as effectively.
dR: What tendencies 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 may race on six street course circuits. Whenever you couple that with the rising curiosity in Method One it appears to color a transparent image that followers are having fun with the motion they’re seeing at a majority of these tracks. We’re additionally seeing passionate motorsports fans wanting to search out methods to get on observe themselves. That’s the place Flatrock Motorclub creates the proper bridge. It actually doesn’t matter when you’ve got by no means been on observe or if you’re a younger driver who desires as many laps as attainable throughout race season, Flatrock Motorclub offers the chance for each varieties to succeed in their targets.
One other pattern is offering Subsequent Degree hospitality. I feel 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 now not about placing a enterprise on the scheme of a automobile. It’s now about entertaining friends and prospects with an expertise that they couldn’t purchase anyplace else. Flatrock Motorclub has absolutely leaned into that with the design of a number of the nicest facilities of any observe on this planet.
Flatrock is without doubt one of the coolest tracks to drive coupled with every little thing you may ever need from a rustic membership!
This text appeared in our March 2025 Concern.
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