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GRAND AM: Growth of a Race Car Driver: Part 1 - Drive the Car
Written by: James Hunt   
07/31/2008 - 08:05 AM
Charlotte, North Carolina
 
James Hunt takes some time to reflect on his remarkable growth as a driver. (Photo: Hilary Fox Photography) ยป More Photos

Now that I have successfully completed two of my four races with APR Motorsport in the Grand Am Series, it's time to take stock. Last November I competed on SPEED's racing reality TV show "Setup". For a month straight my coach (Ian Carpenter) and I worked 12-15 hour days, 7 days a week, on nothing but racing. It was hands down the best month of my life. We worked on developing my knowledge base for every facet of racing, both on and off the race track. While I wanted to win every race throughout the series, the only victory that truly mattered was the final race. Only 1st place in the final race earned you the test opportunity with the Factory Pontiac Banner racing team and $100,000 cash prize. As long as I didn't finish last in any race I was able to advance. This doesn't mean that avoiding last was my goal. My goal was to evolve my race craft and evaluate my competition, all while further developing the car so that I could be first on the last lap, of the last race. This training and evolution continues on a daily basis.

Reflecting beyond track time over the past nine months, life has been on hyper speed. I
am more focused and determined then I could have ever imagined at a mere 25 years young. Things that used to hold a very high place on the "James Hunt life priority list" no longer make the cut. In previous blog entries I have touched on my commitment to racing, but never really taken time to reflect on personal growth as a race car driver. My number one mantra has become "is this something that will make you a better race car driver." I say this every day. As a result, I am better focused and channel my energies more efficiently. I am starting to realize how truly remarkable and substantial my growth as a driver is. This growth as a professional driver is a continuing process that is based on logical, incremental steps. In an effort to share my excitement with you, I'm going to discuss the recent incremental steps I have gone through.

In May I signed with APR Motorsport. A mere 2 months after my debut professional race at Daytona, where I met my friends from SPEED and Grand Am. Thanks to my ability to build strong relationships and solid driving potential, I was chosen by SPEED to be their feature driver for, "A year in the life of Rookie driver James Hunt."


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