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 superb 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 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 objectives, 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 now we 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 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 because the age of 5 has allowed me to compete in many various automobiles, 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 massive of an emphasis was placed on each single element from seat belt positioning to trace security crew processes, and can be capable of deliver that information to our group. Security is one thing that shall be entrance and middle of what we do right here at Flatrock Motorclub. Subsequent, I take into consideration the entire time I’ve spent competing in opposition to the highest drivers on the planet and the way we are able to take what I discovered and make that approachable and teachable to our members. Lastly, Whether or not it’s group homeowners, OEMs, enterprise leaders, observe homeowners, sequence operators, drivers, and so forth., the numerous relationships I’ve been lucky to type over time shall be invaluable to what we wish 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 goal; to serve its members on the highest stage. 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 have been fortunate to discover a moveable rest room or concession stand anyplace on property! This mission is “luxurious hospitality assembly world-class motorsports.” It doesn’t damage that the observe 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 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 stream to it. There are many distinctive challenges that may preserve 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 huge open in the event 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 automotive each time now we have a observe day! It’s a lot enjoyable to drive and all the time 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 means of the Homologation course of with the FIA implies that we meet all security necessities to host just about any sequence (in need of System 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 group 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 dwelling… 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 street programs after 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 approach that allows 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 downside solver. Subsequent, I consider my good friend Blake Koch, who’s the encourager. He all the time finds a technique to make you’re feeling like you may 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 subsequent technology of drivers. Racecar drivers can usually really feel remoted and function on an island. Opponents often is 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 individuals you’re up in opposition to 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 means of and may help stroll them by means of these struggles. Hopefull,y I may 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 learn about racing with them. I additionally love to take a seat 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 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 comply with in your footsteps?
TB: Be absolutely current within the present alternative! It’s so vital to reap the benefits of the chance you have got proper now and never all the time be wanting on the subsequent one. Should you can take advantage of the place you’re at present, then tomorrow will handle itself! The easiest way 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 group. 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 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 street course racing over the previous few years, even within NASCAR. After I first began on the prime stage, we had two street programs on the schedule (Watkins Glen and Sonoma). This season they are going to race on six street course circuits. If 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 a majority 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 proper bridge. It actually doesn’t matter if 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 succeed in their objectives.
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 not about placing a enterprise on the scheme of a automotive. It’s now about entertaining company and clients 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 observe on the planet.
Flatrock is likely one of the coolest tracks to drive coupled with all the things you may ever need from a rustic membership!
This text appeared in our March 2025 Subject.
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