Daytona 500 Champion Trevor Bayne is becoming a member of Flatrock Motorclub as Head Professional and Ambassador. Naturally, we have been enthusiastic about this growth 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 kind 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 inside the sport have emerged that I didn’t understand have 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 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 inside the motorsports group of how extremely distinctive Flatrock is as a race observe and as an leisure group! Lastly, I believe that we’ve got 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 youngsters and a few of their needs 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 proper storm that encompasses all the things 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 automobiles, collection, and on tracks all internationally. This has allowed me to see numerous examples of how to achieve success on this trade. The very first thing that involves thoughts is security. In my time as a NASCAR driver, I noticed how large of an emphasis was placed on each single element from seat belt positioning to trace security crew processes, and can have the ability to convey that information to our crew. Security is one thing that shall 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 the earth and the way we will take what I realized and make that approachable and teachable to our members. Lastly, Whether or not it’s crew homeowners, OEMs, enterprise leaders, observe homeowners, collection operators, drivers, and many others., the numerous relationships I’ve been lucky to kind through the years shall 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 goal; 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 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. After I was rising up on the observe, we have been fortunate to discover a moveable toilet 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 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 certainly one of a sort. It’s a technical and quick observe with a extremely good circulate 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 contains a high-speed kink (maintain it huge open if you happen to can!). I’ve in all probability made extra laps than anybody on our observe, and so they have a tough time convincing me to get out of the automotive each time we’ve got a observe day! It’s a lot enjoyable to drive and all the time leaves you excited about 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 way of the Homologation course of with the FIA signifies that we meet all security necessities to host just about any collection (in need of Formulation 1) on our observe. We’re additionally the one FIA grade ii goal constructed membership observe on the earth upon completion. That is simply one other approach the crew reveals 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 certainly one of my races and would inform me each element that occurred on the drive house… 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 desires. 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 inform you like it’s, however in a approach that permits you to know he’s pulling for you. This can be a robust steadiness and one which I’m all the time striving to implement. He’s additionally a really sensible drawback solver. Subsequent, I consider my good friend Blake Koch, who’s the encourager. He all the time finds a approach to make you are feeling like you might 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 able to mentor younger drivers?
TB: What an honor it’s to be in a spot to have an enduring influence on the subsequent era of drivers. Racecar drivers can typically really feel remoted and function on an island. Rivals would be the solely individuals who can relate or perceive what you’re going by way of, however it may be laborious to construct these relationships as they’re the individuals you’re up towards each week. That’s the place individuals like myself are available. Whether 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 might help stroll them by way of these struggles. Hopefull,y I might help 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 find out about racing with them. I additionally love to sit down down and have a look at movie and information to search out the potential areas to enhance. Nothing makes me really feel extra proud than once I see certainly one 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 observe in your footsteps?
TB: Be absolutely current within the present alternative! It’s so necessary to make the most of the chance you’ve gotten proper now and never all the time be trying on the subsequent one. Should you can take advantage of the place you’re at this time, then tomorrow will maintain itself! One of the simplest 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 crew. 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 desires financially as nicely.
dR: What developments 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 the direction of street course racing over the previous few years, even inside NASCAR. After I first began on the high degree, we had two street programs on the schedule (Watkins Glen and Sonoma). This season they’ll race on six street course circuits. If 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 all 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 you probably have 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 gives the chance for each varieties to achieve their targets.
One other development is offering Subsequent Stage hospitality. I believe a part of that’s as a result of our tradition has shifted so closely in the 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 clients with an expertise that they couldn’t purchase wherever else. Flatrock Motorclub has absolutely leaned into that with the design of a number of the nicest facilities of any observe on the earth.
Flatrock is likely one of the coolest tracks to drive coupled with all the things you might ever need from a rustic membership!
This text appeared in our March 2025 Situation.
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