Vinod Nimmagadda’s Post

People don’t realize that motorsport is “pay to play” Outside of Formula 1, a very small % of drivers are “paid”. Most drivers, including professional drivers, pay to get behind the wheel. Here’s how I found myself behind the wheel of a Mercedes AMG GT4 last year. FOCUSED ON MONEY BEFORE RACING I focused on making money before focusing on racing. If every time I made a few dollars, I blew it on going to the track, I’d never have been able to re-invest in building a business which is what allowed me to invest in racing. If you want to drive race cars, invest in becoming good at building businesses first. That is what let me sell my company for $16.7M in 5 years. BOUGHT A TRACK DAY CAR I had no idea where to start. After doing some research it seemed that the Mazda Miata and BMW E46 were the best options for new drivers. Reliable, has lots of parts, and lots of people drive these at the track. I spent 30k on a 2004 BMW E46. TRACK DAYS I was 30 years old so I knew that if I wanted a chance at competing with people who have been driving for years, I needed to make track days my #1 priority. I made the deal with myself, If after a full year of track days, I’m progressing well, I’ll invest in a race season. YEAR ONE I joined the 18-race regional race series CASC. After the first 8 races, I was running at the bottom of the pack. During the second half of the season, we swept and took home 11 podiums and 8 race wins eventually winning the overall championship. A testament to being willing to fail before you can succeed. This was about $5k per weekend for a total of $30k. YEAR TWO An opportunity came up to get with a team that had a Mercedes AMG GT4. At a cost of about $50k per race weekend including the car, support, tires, and insurance, I did 4 pro races. This time, I did jump up too fast. I love the GT4 platform, but I made the mistake of thinking that with just 3 test days, I could handle the car on tracks I hadn’t driven before. Time to bring back the year 1 mentality.

Racing and Performance Holdings Announces Strategic Acquisition of Andrews Products For Immediate Release Oxnard, CA – 10/22/2024 – Racing and Performance Holdings, a group of leading manufacturers of high-performance automotive aftermarket parts, proudly announces the acquisition of Andrews Products. This strategic addition enhances our portfolio by introducing Andrews' renowned performance cams, gears, and transmissions into our existing suite of top-tier brands. The existing R&P brands include Airflow Research Heads, Paxton and Vortech Superchargers, RaceTec Pistons, Scat Crankshafts and Procar Seating Systems. Expanding Horizons with Andrews Products With a history spanning over 50 years, Andrews Products has become synonymous with precision-engineered camshafts, racing transmissions, and drivetrain components for both automotive and motorcycle applications. Their custom-designed camshafts have been pivotal in advancing engine technology development, making Andrews a respected name in high-performance motorcycle and automotive circles. “I am excited to enter this next chapter in our 52-year journey as a leader in the motorsports industry. We see this as an opportunity to help push our brand and its legacy to the next level by working with the other high-quality brands under the Racing and Performance umbrella. The Andrews team and I will continue to be here to serve our customers as always and look forward to continuing to grow together,” said Mike Pedersen, President of Andrews Products. Strategic Synergy for Enhanced Market Position The acquisition of Andrews Products allows us to deepen our footprint in the automotive sector while making a significant entry into the motorcycle industry. The newly combined product offerings will enable the bundling of comprehensive performance packages, providing customers with a one-stop solution for all their high-performance needs. "Our acquisition of Andrews Products is a game-changing move," said Mark Finnie, CEO of Racing and Performance. "Andrews is a top-of-the-line manufacturer and allows us to cross over into the motorcycle industry while expanding our automotive footprint with Andrews' automotive and racing products coupled with their manufacturing expertise."

Did You Know About the 107% Rule in F1? Formula 1 racing is filled with thrilling moments, but behind the excitement, there are strict rules that ensure fairness and safety. One such rule is the 107% rule, a lesser-known yet fascinating regulation. What is the 107% Rule? The 107% rule ensures that all cars on the grid are fast enough to compete safely. Here's how it works: - Qualifying Benchmark: During the qualifying session, any driver whose best lap time exceeds 107% of the fastest time set in that session will not be allowed to start the race. - Example: If the fastest lap time in qualifying is 1 minute and 40 seconds (100 seconds), any driver with a lap time above 1 minute and 47 seconds (107 seconds) will be disqualified from starting the race. Why Does it Matter? - Safety: Slow cars can be dangerous on the track, both for themselves and others. The rule ensures that only competitive cars are racing. - Fair Competition: It keeps the race exciting and fair by making sure all cars are within a competitive range. Exceptions to the Rule Sometimes, there are exceptions: - Special Circumstances: If a driver faces unexpected issues like bad weather or technical problems during qualifying, race stewards might still allow them to race. - Past Performance: If a driver has shown competitive times in practice sessions, they might get a pass even if they miss the 107% mark in qualifying. Why You Should Care The 107% rule isn't just a quirky fact about racing; it holds a powerful lesson for business. Just like F1 teams ensure their cars and drivers are top-notch to compete, you should aim to build a team of A-players in your business. - High Standards: By setting a high bar, like the 107% rule, you ensure that everyone on your team is performing at their best. This drives the entire team forward, fostering a culture of excellence. - Safety and Efficiency: Having top performers means fewer mistakes and smoother operations, much like having only the fastest cars ensures a safer race. - Competitive Edge: In business, just like in racing, staying ahead of the competition requires having the best team. A-players bring innovation, dedication, and the drive to win. So, as you watch the next Grand Prix, remember the 107% rule and think about how you can apply its principles to build a team that’s ready to take the lead in your industry.

In 1933, a Le Mans victory was sealed by chewing gum. Here's why this story still matters today. First, some context is important. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of: → Endurance → Engineering → Teamwork Winning this race requires more than speed— ingenuity and resilience. In 1933, Raymond Sommer and Tazio Nuvolari drove an Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 to victory in one of the most memorable races ever. But their win wasn't just about fast driving. Midway through the race, they encountered a serious problem—a fuel leak. For most teams, this would mean the end of their race. But Sommer and Nuvolari weren’t just any drivers. They used chewing gum to temporarily seal the fuel leak, allowing them to keep racing without a major delay. Instead of giving up, they quickly used chewing gum to seal the leak temporarily. This quick thinking prevented a major delay and kept them in the race. The chewing gum fix wasn’t just a stopgap but a testament to their ingenuity. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes unconventional solutions are the most effective. Despite the mechanical issues, Sommer and Nuvolari maintained their lead and won the race. Their determination and resilience turned a challenging situation into a historic victory. This victory is more than a racing anecdote. It’s a story that has inspired generations, highlighting how creative problem-solving and perseverance can lead to success even under the toughest conditions. The 1933 Le Mans victory shows us that: → Innovation can emerge from unexpected places. → Resilience can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. → Quick thinking can turn potential disasters into legendary successes. This isn't just a motorsport story—it's a roadmap for anyone facing tough challenges. Raymond Sommer and Tazio Nuvolari’s legendary win at Le Mans teaches us that with the right mindset and creativity, we can achieve the extraordinary. P.S. If you found this story inspiring, share it with your network. 📌 Every Tuesday, The Motorsport A&R is a weekly newsletter that breaks down the marketing behind motorsports, making you a smarter marketer.

#carreview #GRRreview 🚘📋 The Volkswagen Golf R is as close as the company will ever come to a halo car: the very top of the tree of its main outlet for performance. #goodwood #firstdrive #carreviews #GRRreviews Volkswagen Volkswagen Group #vw #volkswagen #vwgolf #volkswagengolf #GRRnews The Goodwood Group #auto #autos #autosport #automotive #automotiveindustry #automotiveinnovation #cars #racing #sports #classiccar #classiccars #motorracing #motorsport #sustainability #sustainabilityleadership

Penske Racing Shocks, a premier supplier of damper technology for Formula One, is to open a dedicated UK service and support facility within Bicester Motion. Penske Racing Shocks has taken Building 143 which totals 850 sq ft (79 sq m) on a five-year lease for its UK team. This strategically located centre will provide Penske Racing Shocks’ F1 customers with comprehensive services which will include advanced technical support, training, on-site servicing, emergency spare parts, and seasonal design assistance. The facility will also showcase Penske Racing Shocks’ cutting-edge S-link damper dynos for hands-on demonstrations and use. "Choosing Bicester Motion was a straightforward decision. This site is a motorsport and automotive hub, home to businesses and artisans serving everything from Formula One to vintage racing. It’s an ideal setting for our expansion and highly convenient for our teams - most are less than an hour away. Real innovation and strong relationships grow through in-person interactions, not just video calls. Being closer to our UK clients offers tremendous value, and this move aligns with Penske Racing Shocks’ longstanding reputation for responsiveness and convenience, established at our U.S. headquarters." Jim Arentz, MBA, BME, technical director and Formula One customer liaison, Penske Racing Shocks The Bicester office is due to open in January 2025 and will be ready just in time for the season’s initial car tests. It will be initially staffed by expert Penske Racing Shocks personnel from the USA. For more information, visit- https://lnkd.in/e-vhWzBa

Consistency is the key to having great pit stops but many of them have slight differences and how you adapt can help your car move forward. Let’s dig into the details of a pit stop on our Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus RC F GT3 from Petit Le Mans that included a four tire change, fuel, and a driver change. In this situation we only had a partial fill so we needed to change tires quickly but without making any errors. Step 1: As we're about to hop off the wall, our race engineer Geoff Fickling runs through all the services that we'll be performing during this pit stop just so that we're all consistent and my first step upon hopping off the wall is to make sure that the car has stopped on the line. Step 2: I line up the air wand with the inlet on the car and then look forward at the splitter before pushing it all the way in to raise the car. If I notice that the car is too far forward then I can push it back before raising it. Step 3: Since I am already turned forward I can reach over to the right to grab the front outside Michelin race slick and run over to my front tire changer and install that new tire. Step 4: As I run back, my front tire handler Derrick Carr throws me the rear outside tire and I turn and run towards the back of the car. As I am running in that direction, I take a slightly wider arc to avoid the driver change that's hapenning. Step 5: I install the rear outside tire and make a mental note that our teammates are pitting their car directly behind us. Step 6: I grab the discarded tires so that our car can exit quickly and so that the path is clear for our teammates behind us. Step 7: As I start to run with the discarded tires, I notice that the tire changer on our team car is about to ran back across so I pause and slot in behind him so that I do not interrupt the flow of their pit stop. Step 8: Our fueler disconnects and the car takes off as I climb onto the wall with our discarded tires to leave as much space as possible for our teammates to launch behind us. IMSA - International Motor Sports Association | Mobil 1 | Ben Barnicoat

A NEW AMERICAN ERA IN F1 In a thrilling development for fans, Formula 1 announced that it will welcome an 11th team to the grid: General Motors' Cadillac brand.  This marks a significant milestone for the sport's growth in the United States, solidifying its American presence with a second truly American team alongside Haas. The visionary plan, initially driven by Michael Andretti, to introduce a Cadillac-supported F1 team, received official approval on November 25. Ironically, this pivotal moment for American motorsport will unfold without Andretti, who stepped down from his role at Andretti Global in September. Nevertheless, the iconic Andretti name remains linked to the project, with racing legend Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 World Champion, joining the team’s board. Mario Andretti expressed his enduring love for F1, stating, "To still be involved at this stage of my life — I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming." As the Cadillac F1 team prepares for its debut in 2026, operations are set to span both the United States and the UK, with facilities in Indiana, North Carolina, Michigan, and Silverstone. The team's mission is clear: to embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable experiences to race fans worldwide. This move underscores F1's continued expansion in the U.S., aligning with Liberty Media's growth strategy for the sport. GM's entry brings decades of racing success and engineering prowess to the global stage, promising a new era of competition. General Motors President Mark Reuss highlighted the significance of this endeavor: "It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series. This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership." While GM's involvement is a victory for American motorsport, it is tinged with irony as it will proceed without Michael Andretti, who originally spearheaded the effort. Nonetheless, the presence of Mario Andretti adds a symbolic touch to this new chapter in F1 history.

🧠 THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Motorcar #racing kinda feels like it did back in the 90's these days. #Constructors & #Tire Suppliers going head-to-head on Sundays. GM/Cadillac are throwing its hat into the Formula 1 mix. All for the honor of winning your business on a #personal car purchase. Live Sports are #marketing gold these days, for the obvious reasons. So much so that a US car supplier is willing to eat several #billion #dollars of up-front costs to get started. Must be some pretty good #ROI on those marketing dollars! Happy racing. #MotorsportMarketing #F1Business #RacingROI #LiveSportsMarketing 🙂 🔗 Link:

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