I’m looking forward to my upcoming travel to Austin, Texas, for an International GT race at Circuit of the Americas. It’s extra special to be there right on the heels of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and I’m sure there will be plenty of remaining structures and fresh rubber still on the track.
I will be working with a couple of different drivers this week. Mark and Jordan Sandridge as well as Reg Williams will be competing in their respective Porsches. Both the Sandridges’ Team Salad and Reg are longtime clients that I’m happy to have a great rapport with.
Although this will be the last race of their 2026 season, the reality is that this is also the start to the 2027 schedule. What I mean by that is now, as the 2026 chapter closes, we’re already working on exciting new plans for 2027, and the learning never stops. Specifically, Jordan Sandridge has never been to CotA before, and for Reg, it’s been several years.
The majority of our time on the front end of this event has been focused on learning this new circuit (or re-learning it, in the case of Mark and Reg). And it’s a complex one, with 20 corners in just under 3.5 miles, including the famed high-speed esses that seem like they go on forever—they encompass turns two all the way through nine.
Once up to speed, our focus will shift toward some of the nuances and goals that we’ve set for next season, since our plans for it are already ramping up. This track is an important one for all three drivers to have under their belt because it’s on the calendar early in the upcoming season.
This weekend’s event will also serve as a great tool to continue our progress since we know we never stop learning. Even as one season ends and another begins, every opportunity on track is an opportunity to develop more skills.
I also cherish the opportunity to be at Circuit of the Americas when the forecast is pointing toward fall temperatures! It’s such a notoriously hot environment there, and the cooler weather will be a welcome change.
Check back next week for an update on how the season finale went for all of the drivers I’m working with.