RRDC/FIA Young Drivers Symposium news 2010-10-18

ROAD RACING DRIVERS CLUB TO PRESENT THIRD RRDC/FIA YOUNG DRIVERS SYMPOSIUM AT PRI SHOW IN DECEMBER

HILLIARD, Ohio (Oct. 18, 2010) - The Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC) will host its third RRDC/FIA Young Drivers Symposium at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 11, from 9 a.m.-12 noon. The workshop will be held on a Saturday, so students will not have to miss a day of school.

This third in a series of free "Safe is Fast" workshops - with S.A.F.E. an acronym for Skilled, Assured, Fit, Empowered - is supported by a grant from the FIA Motor Sport Safety Development Fund and features a number of racing champions who are RRDC members, plus renowned industry experts. The complete panel of experts, led by RRDC president and Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, will be announced in the coming weeks.

The goal of this popular series of workshops is to help young drivers raise their awareness of safety by teaching them to effectively manage their racing vehicles and themselves in all aspects of their careers. Topics to be covered include safety, physical fitness, setup and driving skills, sponsorship/branding, mental preparation, career management and more.

"We at the RRDC were overwhelmed by the success of these first two symposiums," said RRDC president Bobby Rahal. "From all the comments we received from the young drivers who attended the first two workshops, it is clear that this comprehensive program helps drivers from all motorsports arenas get a leg up in their quest to become racing champions."

The workshop is open to drivers from all motorsports disciplines and there is no cost to attend. All workshop materials, including a comprehensive workbook, will be provided. The PRI Trade Show age restriction of 18 years has been waived for those attending the RRDC/FIA Young Drivers Symposium, and each participant will receive a PRI show credential. However, registration is required and space is limited. Participants are asked to register at www.rrdc.org. To avoid will-call lines, participants who register by Nov. 5 will receive their credentials in the mail.

Previous workshop attendees have included some of motorsports' most promising future stars.

"The Safe is Fast Symposium is the best opportunity any young, aspiring racing driver could take advantage of to better his/her understanding of the most important aspects of the racing world," said Neil Alberico, 18, 2010 Bondurant Racing Series Champion. "Leaving the Long Beach symposium, I knew I was taking home with me a boatload of contacts and knowledge from the absolute best in the business."

"From sponsorship to fitness and everything in between, it was all covered with phenomenal explanation," added Connor De Phillippi, 17, 2009 Skip Barber National Champion, Team USA Scholarship winner, and 2010 Star Mazda Rookie of the Year. "I highly advise for all drivers in any point in their careers to attend the symposium."

Additional workshop attendees have included 2010 Star Mazda champion Conor Daly, 18; double 2010 Skip Barber regional champion Ashley Freiberg, 18; Miles Maroney, the 2010 Pacific F2000 Rookie of the Year, 17; GP3 Series front-runner Josef Newgarden, 19; Spencer Pigot, 17, the 2010 BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda Champion; 2009 Team USA Scholarship winner Brett Smrz, 19; and Firestone Indy Lights driver Stefan Wilson, 21.

About the RRDC: The Road Racing Drivers Club was formed in 1952 as a way to give champion drivers a say in their sport, particularly in the areas of safety, and has evolved to serve the future of road racing by mentoring new drivers on both amateur and professional levels. The Club's membership includes leading industry professionals, race officials and motorsports journalists, in addition to prominent racing names.

President Bobby Rahal is the 1986 Indy 500 winner and is co-owner, with David Letterman, of the 2004 Indianapolis 500 winning Rahal Letterman Racing team. Six-time SCCA National champion John Fergus is the Club's Vice President/Treasurer, and five-time SCCA National champion Tom Davey is the Secretary.

In addition to RRDC members lending their expertise to up-and-coming drivers, the Club presents three annual awards: the Phil Hill Award for rendering outstanding service to road racing; the Mark Donohue Award for personal spirit and performance at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs; and the Bob Akin Award -- the top award presented to amateur and semi-professional racers - for speed with style, passion, sportsmanship and contribution to motorsports.

The RRDC also supports the Team USA Scholarship, which has been assisting young Americans in the early stages of their careers since 1990.

Membership in the RRDC is by invitation only. Additional information on the organization may be found at www.rrdc.org .

-source: rrdc