Revolution Racing Embraces Technology, Hands-On Training

Posted on February 27, 2010 by admin

Revolution Racing continues to evolve its driver development curriculum by combining technology with hands-on training in its academy-style development program. Strategic partnerships with iRacing and VisionRacer, along with contributions from Logitech, allow Revolution drivers to get behind the virtual wheel to prepare for the 2010 season. In addition to weekly, traditional on-track test sessions, Revolution Racing, which operates four NASCAR K&N Pro Series East teams and six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model teams, is embracing simulator technology as a way for its young, up-and-coming drivers to gain additional seat time.

“This is one more tool we are able to use for driver development,” said John Story, President of Revolution Racing. “Through our partnerships with iRacing and VisionRacer, and collaboration with Logitech, our drivers are able to climb into a simulator at their leisure and test at a different track without leaving the race shop.”

iRacing provides the simulation software, Logitech is providing G27 Racing Wheels and VisionRacer supplies sleek, high performance motorsports chassis for the Revolution Racing simulators. iRacing’s software, which allows drivers to race, practice or qualify in a wide variety of cars and tracks, is used by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Marcos Ambrose, Brad Kesolowski and a number of other drivers from all forms of motorsports. iRacing currently includes four of the nine tracks on the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule, as well as Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, the site of the annual Toyota All-Star Showdown.

“It’s amazing how authentic the experience is with the chassis and the wheel’s force feedback,” said Andy Santerre, Revolution’s Director of Competition, K&N Pro Series of the VisionRacer chassis and the Logitech G27 dual motor Racing Wheel. “iRacing has done a tremendous job with the tracks and cars in their simulation software and the G27 wheel and VisionRacer chassis complete the package. Our simulators will be a great learning tool for our drivers, especially on tracks like Martinsville where NASCAR policy prohibits us from testing.”

Revolution Racing is installing multiple simulators at its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters, allowing all 10 of the team’s drivers to test at the same time, as well as compete against one another in head-to-head races.

The 10 Revolution Racing drivers, each participating in the Drive for Diversity program, work in the Revolution Racing shop and have entered an academy-style training program with the team. In addition to simulator testing, their curriculum includes weekly on-track testing and hands-on shop work, as well as marketing and media training.

About iRacing.com

iRacing was founded in 2004 by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry. Kaemmer was co-founder of Papyrus Design Group, developers of award-winning racing simulations including NASCAR Racing: 2003 Season and Grand Prix Legends. Henry is principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group – the co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing – as well as an avid simracer. iRacing has developed numerous corporate relationships in the motorsport industry, including agreements to develop track simulations with International Speedway Corporation, Speedway Motorsports and Panoz Motor Sports Group. iRacing is the official simulation partner of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Sports Car Club of America, Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, Star Mazda Championship, Skip Barber Racing School and Australia’s V8 Super School. The iRacing service is open to racers and fans of all skill levels from top-level pros to complete beginners. To join in the fun, go to www.iRacing.com.

About VisionRacer

VisionRacer combines design accolades with superior performance, creating an unmatched virtually real racing experience. A stainless steel chassis, authentic race seat, “h pattern and paddle” gear shifter with full force feedback makes the experience immersive. Recently described by WIRED magazine as “a racing fanatic’s dream rig,” the VisionRacer works with selected consoles and PC systems. The VR3 model is available from a basic chassis to add existing equipment to through to complete “Ready to Drive” packages. An affordable alternative and compliment to racing or training programs, VisionRacer delivers a virtually real racing experience. For further information go to www.visionracer.com

Freightliner Joins Revolution Racing for 2010 Season

Posted on December 1, 2009 by admin

freightliner-run-smart MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 30, 2009) – Freightliner Trucks, the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America, has teamed up with Revolution Racing as an official partner for the 2010 season.

Revolution Racing, owned by Max Siegel and John Story, operates four NASCAR Camping World Series East teams and six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model teams in an academy-style development program for NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity initiative.

Freightliner will debut with Revolution Racing at the Toyota Showdown at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif., on January 29, 2010 and will serve as an associate sponsor of all 10 Revolution Racing teams throughout the 2010 season.

“Freightliner is proud to team up with Revolution Racing and the Drive for Diversity program,” said Melissa Clausen, Director of Product Marketing for Freightliner Trucks. “Their core values open doors for these young talented drivers. The partnership with D4D furthers solidifies Freightliner’s commitment to diversity, both within the company and to all our customers. We look forward to an exciting year.”

“Freightliner has made a huge commitment to Revolution Racing and to our goal of developing young talent in NASCAR,” said Story, President of Revolution Racing. “We look forward to having Freightliner as a partner for our debut appearance at the Toyota Showdown and throughout the season on both our Camping World Series East and Whelen All-American Series teams.”

Revolution Racing’s driver line-up will be announced in early 2010. The driver selection process will be prominently featured in the upcoming television show “Changing Lanes,” scheduled to air on BET in 2010.

Drive for Diversity Adapts Academy-Style Training

Posted on September 29, 2009 by admin

Competitors to Work Together Under One Ownership Umbrella Based In Charlotte

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. (September 16, 2009) – The evolution of the Drive for Diversity, NASCAR’s leading on track diversity initiative, will continue in 2010 as competitors relocate to Charlotte and enter “academy-style” development under a single team ownership structure. The 909 Group, which took over operational responsibilities for Drive for Diversity in 2009, will own and operate 10 teams fielding Drive for Diversity competitors. Under the Revolution Racing banner, these minority and female drivers will compete on four NASCAR Camping World Series teams and six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series teams.

In addition, Revolution will also create a youth racing initiative that will identify aspiring drivers who may eventually enter Drive for Diversity in late model stock cars.

“Drive for Diversity, under the day to day management of The 909 Group, will continue to provide strong opportunities for minority and female competitors,” said Marcus Jadotte, Managing Director of Public Affairs for NASCAR, who oversees the sanctioning body’s diversity initiatives. “This new structure for developing young drivers and crew members is an evolution of an initiative that has seen 31 drivers compete, winning 33 races. D4D drivers will be located in the nerve center of NASCAR with greater access to industry resources, technology, training, testing, and shop experience.”

Drive for Diversity is one of the most aggressive competition-based diversity programs in all of sports. In 2009, 12 Drive for Diversity drivers have combined for six wins, 51 top fives and 125 top-10 finishes.

The 909 Group, a sports and entertainment agency, will continue to provide marketing support to NASCAR’s diversity initiatives. John Story will serve as President of Revolution Racing managing day-to-day operations of the company. Max Siegel will maintain his role as Chief Executive Officer of both Revolution and The 909 Group.

“We’ve spent most of 2009 thinking about ways to expand opportunities available to the drivers and crew members involved in Drive for Diversity,” Siegel said. “All of the teams involved in the initiative since its inception in 2004 have provided meaningful support for the program. To better assess and develop talent, we are putting the drivers under one roof and in identical cars. This new standardized structure will also create more meaningful sponsorship opportunities that will in turn provide resources necessary to compete at the highest level with the goal of getting drivers to NASCAR’s premier series.”

Andy Santerre, a four-time NASCAR Camping World Series champion as a driver and team owner, will join Revolution Racing to oversee its Camping World Series operations. Blair Addis, a current Drive for Diversity team owner, will oversee Revolution Racing’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program.

Current and former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers will serve as coaches and mentors to the drivers, who will be given additional seat time and be allowed to compete in more than one series as they develop. The coaches will share information with the drivers in the shop and during their intense on-track testing program which will begin in early November and continue throughout the 2010 season.

In addition to drivers, Revolution, along with corporate partner Sprint, will continue to build on developing over-the-wall athletes led by long-time NASCAR pit crew coach Phil Horton, who has trained a significant number of current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew members.

Revolution’s drivers for the 2010 season will be determined following the Drive for Diversity Combine presented by Sunoco Oct. 16-19. Those drivers will be featured in a television series, “Changing Lanes,” developed in collaboration with the NASCAR Media Group and set to air in early 2010 on BET. The 10-part series will showcase the development of young Drive for Diversity competitors trying to make it in the big-time world of NASCAR racing.

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Contributing Partners

Revolution Racing Embraces Technology, Hands-On Training

Freightliner Joins Revolution Racing for 2010 Season

Drive for Diversity Adapts Academy-Style Training