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 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 function 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 understand 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 sit 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 believe that we’ve 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 children and a few of their wishes 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 right storm that encompasses every thing I really 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 because the age of 5 has allowed me to compete in many alternative autos, sequence, 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 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 workforce. Security is one thing that will likely 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 towards the highest drivers on the planet and the way we will take what I discovered and make that approachable and teachable to our members. Lastly, Whether or not it’s workforce house owners, OEMs, enterprise leaders, observe house owners, sequence operators, drivers, and so on., the numerous relationships I’ve been lucky to type through the years will likely be invaluable to what we wish 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 objective; 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 outdated observe. The truth that you might 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. Once I was rising up on the observe, we have been fortunate to discover a moveable rest room or concession stand wherever on property! This challenge is “luxurious hospitality assembly world-class motorsports.” It doesn’t damage that the observe is about within the lovely hills of East Tennessee both which, in all honesty, I’m extraordinarily keen on!
dR: How will the design and options of Flatrock’s highway course improve the expertise for members?
TB: The format and elevation make Flatrock’s observe one in all a form. It’s a technical and quick observe with a very good stream to it. There are many distinctive challenges that may maintain 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 encompasses a high-speed kink (maintain it broad open should you can!). I’ve most likely made extra laps than anybody on our observe, they usually have a tough time convincing me to get out of the automotive each time we’ve a observe day! It’s a lot enjoyable to drive and all the time leaves you occupied with how one can put a sooner lap time collectively.
dR: How does Flatrock’s FIA Grade II observe elevate its standing within the world motorsport group?
TB: Going by means of the Homologation course of with the FIA signifies that we meet all security necessities to host just about any sequence (wanting System 1) on our observe. We’re additionally the one FIA grade ii objective constructed membership observe on the planet upon completion. That is simply one other approach the workforce exhibits our dedication to offer 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 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 in all 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 good friend Michael McDowell who was first employed to assist coach me on highway programs once I was driving for Michael Waltrip again in 2009. He’s an sincere good friend who will inform you like it’s, however in a approach that permits you to know he’s pulling for you. It is a powerful steadiness and one which I’m all the time striving to implement. He’s additionally a really sensible downside solver. Subsequent, I consider my good friend Blake Koch, who’s the encourager. He all the time finds a option to make you’re feeling like you might 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 influence on the subsequent era of drivers. Racecar drivers can typically really feel remoted and function on an island. Rivals stands out as the solely individuals who can relate or perceive what you’re going by means of, however it may be exhausting to construct these relationships as they’re the individuals you’re up towards each week. That’s the place individuals like myself are available in. Whether or not it’s on or off the observe, I’ve been there to expertise the identical issues they’re going by means of and might help stroll them by means of these struggles. Hopefull,y I might help them stop 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 information to seek out the potential areas to enhance. Nothing makes me really feel extra proud than once I see one in all my drivers exit and implement one thing we talked about and go sooner!
dR: What recommendation would you give to younger drivers aspiring to observe in your footsteps?
TB: Be absolutely current within the present alternative! It’s so vital to make the most of the chance you’ve gotten proper now and never all the time be wanting on the subsequent one. In the event you can benefit from the place you’re immediately, then tomorrow will care for itself! One of the best ways to try this is to remain targeted, be relentless in preparation, and understand 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’s all the time going to be an enormous emphasis on the relationships you’re constructing that may assist help your goals financially as effectively.
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 highway course racing over the previous few years, even within NASCAR. Once I first began on the high degree, we had two highway programs on the schedule (Watkins Glen and Sonoma). This season they may race on six highway course circuits. Once you couple that with the rising curiosity in System One it appears to color a transparent image that followers are having fun with the motion they’re seeing at most of these tracks. We’re additionally seeing passionate motorsports fans wanting to seek out methods to get on observe themselves. That’s the place Flatrock Motorclub creates the right bridge. It actually doesn’t matter when you’ve got by no means been on observe or in case you are a younger driver who desires as many laps as potential throughout race season, Flatrock Motorclub offers the chance for each sorts to achieve their targets.
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 now not about placing a enterprise on the scheme of a automotive. It’s now about entertaining friends and prospects with an expertise that they couldn’t purchase wherever else. Flatrock Motorclub has absolutely leaned into that with the design of a few of the nicest facilities of any observe on the planet.
Flatrock is likely one of the coolest tracks to drive coupled with every thing you might ever need from a rustic membership!
This text appeared in our March 2025 Subject.
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