Jim Russell School
In 1957, British racing champion Jim Russell founded the racing school industry and realized his dream of teaching people from all walks of life the fine art of motor racing. His school was the world's first training facility for racing drivers. The School, now called the Jim Russell Racing Driver Schools, graduates thousands of motoring enthusiasts each year, taking with them the experience of a lifetime.
Alumni include racing champions in almost every form of auto racing. World-class drivers such as, Jacques Villeneuve, Danny Sullivan, Emerson Fittipaldi, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Scott Speed plus many more have passed through their hallways on their way to successful careers in the sport.
The school has taken a holistic approach to its curriculum, which encompasses the various facets of a professional racecar driver's career, from nutrition, fitness, chassis set-up and effects of aerodynamics to race craft, data acquisition and a variety of special seminars hosted by industry experts. The proprietary curriculum is predicated on creating an experience that is analogous to professional racecar driving. This innovative teaching method takes drivers through a steep learning curve that teaches car control and other fundamental skills up front, thereby maximizing on-track racing time.
When I looked for an opportunity to participate in developing and training racing drivers in today's motorsports community, Emotive was the clear choice with a program that helps me give back to the sport that gave me so much. Emotive has created the perfect platform and facility at Infineon Raceway for the future of motorsports. The FJR-50 is the most relevant race car for training future motorsports champions. Both the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School and myself are delighted with our new partnership.
The Jim Russell Championship Series
The Jim Russell Championship Series places an emphasis on an abundance of quality seat time. Every race weekend includes two rounds, and every session is followed by a comprehensive data analysis de-brief with Series coaches who, will deconstruct every shift, braking point, corner speed and more of each lap. Honing the aspiring driver's fundamental skills is essential to career progression.
2010 Jim Russell Championship Series Calendar (JRCS)
17-18 April: Rds 1/2.
8-9 May: Rds 3/4.
12-13 June: Rds 5/6.
10-11 July: Rds 7/8.
7-8 August: Rds 9/10.
11-12 Sep: Rds 11/12.
16-17 Oct: Rds 13/14.
12-13 Nov: Rds 15/16.
Future Drivers Search
In December 2009 I was honoured to lead the judging panel for the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School 2010 Future Drivers Search. The competition was held at Infineon Raceway, two very promising drivers Alex Ellis & Gary Carlton were each awarded a full season in the 2010 Jim Russell Championship Series.
The Future Driver Search sets out to discover young drivers throughout the world who contain the raw talent and dedication needed to become a modern racing driver. Unlike other programs, the Future Driver Search judges applicants across multiple disciplines, including karting and track time in the FJR-50. Drivers were judged on speed, car control and mechanical knowledge. In addition, off-track attributes were considered, including character, strategy, media interviews and physical/professional presentation.
In my career, I was fortunate enough to have been given the guidance and opportunities to show and develop my potential, and today, I strongly feel that there are few things as important as the cultivation of the next generation of young talent. The Jim Russell programs offer drivers from around the world unrivalled assets, and the tools necessary to take the next step in their racing career.
For more information about the 2010 Jim Russell Championship Series Future Driver Search, or to download the information packet and application, in the U.S., please call 1-877-229-9855; outside the U.S. dial 1-707-939-2755.
Visit http://www.jimrussellusa.com
The Audi Sportscar Experience
The Audi Sportscar Experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity that puts drivers behind the wheel of some of the most powerful vehicles Audi has to offer including the new Audi TTS, Audi S4, Audi S5, Audi S8, the Audi R8 sportscar and the Audi RS 4 high-performance sedan.
With professional drivers giving personal instruction, the Audi Sportscar Experience features seven programs including: the S-Model half-day program which allows drivers to experience the true performance of Audi's newest "S"models and the R8 one-day program where drivers get behind the wheel of the sporty and progressive R8. Additionally, participants will have access to highly-acclaimed, limited-volume new products from Audi.
The Audi Sportscar Experience operates year-round from the Audi Forum Sonoma, located trackside at Turn 1 of Infineon Raceway in beautiful Sonoma Valley. Using a variety of vehicles from among the Audi R, RS, and S model lines, the Audi Sportscar Experience takes drivers through a rigorous, behind-the-wheel instructional driving program at one of the most challenging race tracks in North America. With its 160-foot elevation changes, challenging corners and breathtaking scenery, the 2.5-mile Infineon course has been aptly described as a small Nurburgring.
Visit http://www.audidrivingexperience.com/
