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 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 look ahead to 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 monitor 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 children and a few of their wishes to drive. As soon as the karting facility is full, they are going to have an unbelievable place to get began! To sum it up, this place is the proper storm that encompasses the whole lot 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 automobiles, 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 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 deliver that information to our group. Security is one thing that will probably 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 in opposition to the highest drivers on this 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 group house owners, OEMs, enterprise leaders, monitor house owners, collection operators, drivers, and so on., the numerous relationships I’ve been lucky to type through the years will probably be invaluable to what we need to accomplish right here at Flatrock.
dR: What distinctive features 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 stage. From the time you pull into the entrance gate you may immediately inform you aren’t at simply any outdated monitor. The truth that you possibly can 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. Once 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 harm that the monitor is ready 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 highway course improve the expertise for members?
TB: The structure and elevation make Flatrock’s monitor one in all a sort. It’s a technical and quick monitor with a extremely good move to it. There are many distinctive challenges that can 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 incorporates a high-speed kink (maintain it extensive open in the event 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 we now have a monitor day! It’s a lot enjoyable to drive and at all times leaves you eager 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 via the Homologation course of with the FIA signifies that we meet all security necessities to host just about any collection (in need of System 1) on our monitor. We’re additionally the one FIA grade ii objective constructed membership monitor on this planet upon completion. That is simply one other means the group exhibits our dedication to supply 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 model?
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 house… as if I hadn’t simply lived it. He has been there via 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 highway programs after 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 means that permits you to know he’s pulling for you. This can be a powerful stability and one which I’m at all times striving to implement. He’s additionally a really sensible downside solver. Subsequent, I consider my pal Blake Koch, who’s the encourager. He at all times finds a solution to make you’re feeling like you possibly can run via 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 era of drivers. Racecar drivers can usually really feel remoted and function on an island. Rivals could be the solely individuals who can relate or perceive what you’re going via, however it may be arduous 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 via and may also help stroll them via these struggles. Hopefull,y I may also 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 individual so I’m not simply there to share what I learn about racing with them. I additionally love to sit down down and have a look at movie and knowledge to seek out the potential areas to enhance. Nothing makes me really feel extra proud than after I see one in all 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 absolutely current within the present alternative! It’s so vital to make the most of the chance you’ve got proper now and never at all times be trying on the subsequent one. When you can profit from the place you’re immediately, then tomorrow will care for itself! One of the simplest ways to do this is to remain centered, be relentless in preparation, and understand the significance of the tradition you’re constructing because the chief of your group. 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 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 highway course racing over the previous few years, even within NASCAR. Once I first began on the prime stage, we had two highway programs on the schedule (Watkins Glen and Sonoma). This season they are going to race on six highway course circuits. Whenever 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 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 proper bridge. It actually doesn’t matter when you have by no means been on monitor or in case you are a younger driver who desires as many laps as doable throughout race season, Flatrock Motorclub offers the chance for each varieties to succeed in their targets.
One other pattern is offering Subsequent Stage 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 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 anyplace else. Flatrock Motorclub has absolutely leaned into that with the design of among the nicest facilities of any monitor on this planet.
Flatrock is among the coolest tracks to drive coupled with the whole lot you possibly can ever need from a rustic membership!
This text appeared in our March 2025 Challenge.
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