It seems like every other book and infomercial is on the “secret of success.” But like the laws of physics, the principals of success do not change. One of the most basic is to find a need and fill it. Throw in customer service, attention to detail and team work and you have summed up the successful inaugural year for the Yokohama Drivers Cup USA.
“For far too long, there has been a missing link between regular driving schools and moving to highly competitive race environments,” observed Greg Franz, Race Series Director. “We set out at the beginning of the year to be the premier racing series focused on education and oneon- one coaching to increase a driver’s competence at all levels. We strove to do this in a learning environment that was enjoyable. We were successful, and were able to grow and strengthen each race weekend and will carry solid momentum into next season.”
Featuring Porsche GT3 996 and 997 Cup Cars, the eight-race series held race weekends at renowned drivers tracks like Road America, California Speedway, Infineon Raceway and Laguna Seca. “Next year, we will start out at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on February 16 – 17,” said Franz. “Other west coast races will include California Speedway, Infineon Raceway and Miller Motorsports Park. In the Midwest and east coast, we will be racing at Road America, Road Atlanta and Mid-Ohio. With an eye on reducing expenses, we will be tightening up the schedule so when east coast racers come out west, they can leave their car and rig out here, fly home and then come back out in a couple of weeks and do the next race.”
The core of next year’s race weekends will remain three pronged: a strong emphasis on one-on-one coaching; the use of advanced technology to enhance the learning experience including utilizing multiple in car cameras to evaluate race craft; and in-depth technical seminars from the series partners showing how to get the most out of both the driver and the car.
“This series continues to grow and improve with the input of our drivers,” noted Franz. “Our participants have requested more in-depth technical knowledge, so we will be adding to our seminars next year. In addition, Yokohama has designed a new tire just forthe series’ 996/997 GT3 Cup cars which will make the cars faster and easier to drive. We will be adding new venues next year and look forward to helping more drivers bring their skills to the next level. We licensed over fifty drivers in 2007 who drove at least one or more events with us, including contestants from Canada and Mexico. This increased diversity of drivers speaks to the success of
what we are trying to accomplish. It gives us satisfaction to see the increased recognition among the motorsports community. We had one of the international participants at Infineon write a letter where he talked about how he had raced in a wide variety of series, but ‘the Yokohama Drivers Cup is the best for many reasons such as driver coaching, good clean and competitive racing, fair tech inspections, impeccable and reliable tire service, big time and famous tracks, Porsche North America support and great overall organization.’”
It is team work that makes the Yokohama Drivers Cup series possible and many people, both at the track and at the office, have given their commitment to the series’ winning first year. Noted Franz, “Success has many authors. Our accomplishments this year were only possible because of a group effort. We want to thank series partners Porsche Cars North America and Porsche Motorsports North America. The support of Porsche AG Motorsports and Porsche Motorsports North America has been invaluable. The series would not have been possible without the help of Yokohama Tire Corporation, MoTeC USA, KW Suspensions, Stand 21, BBS, Aasco Motorsport and American Race Day. And special thanks to Ann Mitchell, Vice President/Executive Director Marketing and Media, Jim Coshow, Chief Race Steward, Dick Dobson, Chief Scrutineer, Kevin Franz, Director Trackside Operations, Craig Stanton, Director of Coaching and Patrick Long, Porsche factory driver. Most of all, to all our participants this year, who have become part of our Yokohama Drivers Cup family, thank you for your enthusiasm, input and support. And it is with pleasure that we are able to announce that the 996 GT3 Cup Champion, John Trefethen and 997 GT3 Cup Champion, Steve Valentinetti have been invited to the annual Porsche Motorsport dinner on December 8 at Weissach, Germany where they will be presented their trophies.”
“We have gotten to know a singular group of people over the season,” observed Ann Mitchell. “The camaraderie the drivers bring to the series has made it a family as much as a race series. With their encouragement and the commitment of our supporters, we have laid the foundation of long term success.”
2008 Yokohama Drivers Cup USA Series ScheduleFebruary 16-17 Las Vegas Motor Speedway:(Large inside track)April 4-6 California SpeedwayJuly 11-13 Mid-OhioAugust 1-3 Road AmericaAugust 8-10 Road AtlantaSeptember 12-14 Miller Motorsports ParkOctober 24-26 Infineon Raceway
