With the aids of modern technology in motorsports, remote driver coaching is more viable than ever. Not only does the car output data which can be shared and overlaid against other data, but in-car video can be easily uploaded to cloud-based servers, too. A coach can view this video and data from anywhere, then provide feedback before a driver’s next outing on track.
This remote coaching ability can really aid in someone’s event success, even when they’re at the track on their own. We’ve already seen how utilizing a simulator as a way to get practice and even coaching has become quite popular. Now, remote coaching is becoming a popular way of getting additional support while at the track, too.
Speaking of virtual coaching… This past weekend was a banner success for all my longtime coaching clients who were racing in Sonoma! Big congratulations to the RAFA Racing team on their winning sweep in the Am category of GT4 and to the RVA Graphics Motorsports team, who earned three podiums and a race win!
A great example of this comes from a good friend of mine, David Harrington. David got a new race car that he needed to get familiar with, and it was his first race weekend after a hiatus of more than a year. Since it was his first outing in the car and a reintroduction to racing, David was very open to receiving help via remote coaching.
Despite my availability being limited—I was at another race that same weekend—I was able to review David’s data and video remotely. This allowed me to give him feedback, utilizing email as well as follow-up phone calls. With that, we were able to really make a tremendous amount of progress over the course of his event.
In fact, David made so much progress that he finished second in the 90-minute enduro on the final day of the event. He drove the entire race himself, too, showing just how many gains he’d made!
As a coach, I’m excited about these new technologies that aid in virtual coaching techniques. It was extremely rewarding to be working with drivers at the track where I physically was while also helping drivers remotely at the same time. I get the same amount of satisfaction in seeing the success of my virtual clients as I do with my in-person clients. If remote coaching is something you’re interested in talking about, drop me a message!