J'AIME April 2018

pro also needs to help coach the
amateur and needs the required
interpersonal skills. The focus
of the amateur driver is to drive
consistently fast laps, creating a
perfect foundation for the pro
driver to cut through the pack
in the second half of the race.
This involves smooth driving and
management of brakes and so on.
The objective is to hand the car
over as far up the field as possible
in as best possible condition.
Finding available drivers is
also a question of experience
and contacts; there is no single
source where people advertise
themselves, it requires the teams
to reach out to their networks of
drivers and driver managers and is as much of a skill
as setting up a race car or driving a fast lap. We also
listen to the grapevine for movers and shakers in a
range of championships and look at feeder series to
see who may be ready advance up the racing ladder.
Once you have compiled a shortlist of drivers, next
comes the negotiations, listening to the drivers
wants and needs, their desires for everything from
sponsorship space to testing. This point is where the
balancing act comes in, pushing to get the best terms
for the best driver, but also from the driver’s side of
the table; they want the best car and the best possible
package.
You will then take your final driver to contract,
review and sign and then complete all the practical
details. Contracts are completed by some drivers
directly whereas others have managers. The role of
a good driver manager will push to get the best from
the team for his driver but also smooths the process
to ensure it doesn’t fall over at any stage. Sometimes
having an intermediary helps find the middle ground
between the team and the driver on any point that
they don’t agree on. We are really grateful that
our drivers deal directly or have skilled managers
who assist the process and come up with a win-win
arrangement.
Once the driver has signed, there is still much to do.
From bringing their sponsors on board for the car
livery and race suits, through to obtaining press shots
and writing a press release. Measuring for race suits
and team kit tends to be the final step, and all of
this needs to be done under a cloud of secrecy, so it
doesn’t ruin the driver announcement, as you want
the biggest surprise and the most exposure possible
for the team, the driver and all the sponsors.
I know it sounds like a lot of
work but this season it all went
to plan, and we have landed
two fantastic drivers who
will keep the seat warm and
also potentially participate in
our other racing programs
developed for Richard
Taffinder that will start later in
the season.
So next time you see a driver
announcement, you have an
insight into the six months of
work that was completed by
scores of people to make it
happen.
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