SLATE OF SPEAKERS FOR RRDC/FIA YOUNG DRIVERS SYMPOSIUM ANNOUNCED
Registration for event available on www.rrdc.org
HILLIARD, Ohio (Nov. 9, 2009) - The Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC)
announced today its slate of industry experts who will speak at the
RRDC/FIA Young Drivers Symposium at the 22nd annual Performance Racing
Industry Trade Show in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 11.
The goal of this first of a series of free RRDC/FIA workshops, supported
by a grant from the FIA Motor Sport Safety Development Fund, is to help
young drivers raise their awareness of safety by teaching them to
effectively manage their racing vehicles and themselves in all aspects of
their careers.
The workshop is open to drivers from all motorsports disciplines and
participants may register for the symposium on www.rrdc.org .
Leading the "class" as moderator will be Indy 500 winner, Rahal Letterman
Racing principal and president of the RRDC, Bobby Rahal. He will be
joined by other RRDC members (to be announced later) and the following
panel of experts (full bios of each industry expert are attached):
Townsend Bell, Sponsorship Coaching, Beverly Hills, Calif. -
SPONSORSHIP/BRANDING
The 2001 Indy Lights champion and fourth-place finisher in this year's
Indy 500 has raised over $10 million in motorsports sponsorship. His
proven track record includes sponsor relationships with companies such as
Rock and Republic, Toshiba, Toyota, Maxim, Herbalife and Intel. He has
used his talents and experience to help young drivers maximize their
personal sponsorship portfolios.
Jacques Dallaire, Ph.D., Founder and President, Performance Prime,
Concord, N.C. - MENTAL PREPARATION
For over 30 years, Dr. Dallaire has helped thousands to improve their
mental skills and achieve their performance goals. More than 650 racers
from 40 countries - including Helio Castroneves and Ron Fellows - have
benefited from Dr. Dallaire's Performance Enhancement process that
helps to develop a broad set of mental skills to perform in challenging
situations and underlies championship performance.
Jim Leo, C.S.C.S., President, PitFit Training, Inc., Indianapolis -
PHYSICAL FITNESS
Leo is renowned as one of auto racing's premier fitness trainers.
With a client list that includes Scott Dixon, Kasey Kahne, Dario
Franchitti, and rising stars such as J.R. Hildebrand, PitFit Training has
grown into a worldwide operation. In 1993 Leo designed a training program
and cutting-edge fitness center for Penske Racing. He founded PitFit
Training in 1997, offering driver training, pit crew performance training
and sports nutrition programs.
Stephen Olvey, M.D., Associate Professor/Vice Chairman for Clinical
Affairs
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami School of
Medicine - SAFETY
Dr. Olvey has been a pioneer in improving driver safety and safety
measures for over 30 years. He was Director of Medical Affairs for
IndyCar/CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) and also served as the
Medical Director for USAC (United States Auto Club). For over a decade,
Dr. Olvey has been co-director (alongside Emerson Fittipaldi) of the
International Motorsports and Vehicular Injury Research Center (IMVIRC).
He is a Founding Fellow of the FIA Institute for Motorsports Safety and
former Chairman and Founding Member of the International Council of
Motorsports Sciences (ICMS). He is an author of numerous medical
publications.
Michael Zimicki, President, Sliderule Motorsport Inc., Bondville, Vt. -
INTEGRATED DRIVING
Zimicki has been providing the tools for success on and off the race
track to young drivers for over 25 years. An accomplished racer in his
own right, claiming the 1981 Skip Barber Formula Ford championship and
serving as both a lead instructor and head test driver at the Skip Barber
Racing School for over a decade, he founded Sliderule Motorsport in 1991.
Combining driver coaching, data analysis and engineering to maximize a
driver's and team's success, his roster of proteges has included
Graham Rahal, Danica Patrick, Jon Fogarty, Ryan Hunter-Reay and 2009
Cooper Tires Atlantic Series champion John Edwards.
"I am thrilled with our lineup of speakers who will lend their
expertise to our first symposium," said Rahal. "Our objective
is to assist young drivers in their growth in racing to reach the levels
they aspire. The education and expertise we will provide covers a broad
range because racing is not just about driving the car. We are confident
that the lessons we provide can be put to good effect."
The free symposium is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 11, 8:30 a.m.-noon, in
Meeting Room S 330 E and F (third level), at the Performance Racing
Industry Trade Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,
Fla. The PRI Trade Show age restriction of 18 years has been waived for
The RRDC/FIA Young Drivers Symposium, and each participant will receive a
PRI show credential. However, registration is required and space is
limited. Participants are asked to register early at www.rrdc.org . Any
questions may be directed to RRDC1@cox.net . All course material will be
provided free of charge.
Two additional symposiums are planned: in April, in conjunction with the
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, and in May, around the Indianapolis 500.
The Road Racing Drivers Club was formed in 1952 as a way to give champion
drivers a say in their sport, particularly in the areas of safety, and
has evolved to serve the future of road racing by mentoring new drivers
on both amateur and professional levels. The Club now has more than 150
active members, including leading industry professionals, race officials
and motorsports journalists, in addition to prominent racing names.
President Bobby Rahal is the 1986 Indy 500 winner and is co-owner, with
David Letterman, of the 2004 Indianapolis 500 winning Rahal Letterman
Racing team. Six-time SCCA National Champion John Fergus is the Club's
Vice President/Treasurer, and five-time Formula Super Vee champion Tom
Davey is the Secretary. In addition to RRDC members lending their
expertise to up-and-coming drivers, the Club presents three annual
awards: the Phil Hill Award for rendering outstanding service to road
racing; the Mark Donohue Award for personal spirit and performance at the
SCCA National Championship Runoffs; and the Bob Akin Award for speed with
style, passion, sportsmanship and contribution to motorsports.
The RRDC also supports the Team USA Scholarship, which has been assisting
young Americans in the early stages of their careers since 1990.
Membership in the RRDC is by invitation only.
-credit: rrdc
