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 just a few 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 kind 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 inside the sport have emerged that I didn’t understand had 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 objectives, 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 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 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 all the things I really 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 various automobiles, sequence, and on tracks all the world over. 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 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 deliver that data to our staff. Security is one thing that might 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 are able to take what I realized and make that approachable and teachable to our members. Lastly, Whether or not it’s staff house owners, OEMs, enterprise leaders, observe house owners, sequence operators, drivers, and so on., the numerous relationships I’ve been lucky to kind over time might 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 may immediately inform you aren’t at simply any previous observe. The truth that you possibly can 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 had been fortunate to discover a transportable lavatory or concession stand wherever on property! This undertaking 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 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 observe certainly one of a form. It’s a technical and quick observe with a extremely good circulate to it. There are many distinctive challenges that may 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 large open for those who 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 a observe day! It’s a lot enjoyable to drive and at all times leaves you fascinated by how one can put a quicker lap time collectively.
dR: How does Flatrock’s FIA Grade II observe elevate its standing within the international 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 Components 1) on our observe. We’re additionally the one FIA grade ii goal constructed membership observe on the planet upon completion. That is simply one other approach 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 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 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 means of the ups and downs and by no means let me let up on pursuing my desires. 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 inform you like it’s, however in a approach that allows you to know he’s pulling for you. It is a robust steadiness 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 approach to make you’re feeling like you possibly can 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 ready to mentor younger drivers?
TB: What an honor it’s to be in a spot to have a long-lasting influence on the following era of drivers. Racecar drivers can usually really feel remoted and function on an island. Opponents could be the solely individuals who can relate or perceive what you’re going by means of, however it may be arduous 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 it’s on or off the observe, I’ve been there to expertise the identical issues they’re going by means of and may help stroll them by means of these struggles. Hopefull,y I may 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 find out 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 certainly one of 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 necessary to benefit from the chance you could have proper now and never at all times be wanting on the subsequent one. For those who can benefit from the place you’re immediately, then tomorrow will care for itself! One of the best 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 staff. There’s at all times a necessity for funding and sponsorship in motorsports, so there’s at all times going to be an enormous emphasis on the relationships you’re constructing that may assist help 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 direction of street course racing over the previous few years, even within NASCAR. Once 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 Components One it appears to color a transparent image that followers are having fun with the motion they’re seeing at these kind of tracks. We’re additionally seeing passionate motorsports fanatics 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 in case you have by no means been on observe or in case you are a younger driver who desires as many laps as doable throughout race season, Flatrock Motorclub gives the chance for each sorts to achieve their objectives.
One other pattern 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 visitors and prospects with an expertise that they couldn’t purchase wherever else. Flatrock Motorclub has totally leaned into that with the design of among the nicest facilities of any observe on the planet.
Flatrock is likely one of the coolest tracks to drive coupled with all the things you possibly can ever need from a rustic membership!
This text appeared in our March 2025 Problem.
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