david_harris's avatar
Author:
David Harris
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
SPEEDtv.com Store
Grand National:America's Golden Age of Motorcycle Racing, by Joe Scalzo
Joe Scalzo’s book captures the spirit of the Golden Age of motorcycle racing.
Our Price: $39.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Man-Made Thunder
The book examines the sport of stock car racing through the eyes and ears of the men behind the wheel and the wrenches.
Our Price: $49.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Unisex Sandwich Cap
Unisex Velcro back hat with SPEED logo on front. PINKS logo embroidered on left and PAO logo on right. One size fits all.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Speedway T-shirt
Men's 6 oz. 100% Cotton Jersey Short Sleeve Tee. SPEED logo imprinted on the front center chest.
Our Price: $24.99
Visit Button
Buy Button
Ferrari Red Classic Hat
100% cotton twill. Ferrari shield embroidered on front, piping on the peak and Ferrari logo embroidered on back strap adjuster.
Our Price: $30.00 ($27.00 Member)
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
Academy Teaches Young Drivers Lessons About Life Outside the Cockpit
Written by: David Harris   
05/22/2007
Charlotte, NC
 
He answered question after question, almost without effort. Each subsequent word broadened the smile on Rolfe Schnur's face, as if one of his own was soon closing in on winning a Toastmasters speaking award. He's a real pro when speaking to the media – a trait not every 17 year old possesses.

"Sitting here right now, I can't believe how far he has come," Schnur said. "This is the first time I've been with Duncan since we talked with the Academy a month ago or so. He's exactly what we are talking about."

That's Duncan Molesworth we're talking about, one of the more than 20 young people enrolled in Rolfe Schnur's new Future Stars in Racing Academy based in Charlotte, N.C. This isn't an academy on public speaking, it's racing's version of business school – where today's young drivers start to value and understand the skills needed to succeed outside the cockpit.

The Future Stars in Racing Academy is just over a year old, and brainchild of former Northeastern dirt modified owner Schnur, who has worked more than 25 years within this fast-paced world. Joining Schnur is long-time NASCAR media coordinator Charles Hudson, Penske public relations executive Deb Williams (long-time Senior Editor for NASCAR Winston Cup Scene) and Virginia International Raceway public relations manager, John Davison.

All four play an important role in the organization, as they each participate in one of the 24 training webinars and 12 interactive projects these youths enroll into. In addition to the interactivity, each student is given a training manual, a CD and an entire media kit with news releases tailored to them as they progress throughout the season. According to Schnur, the academy was created to give budding shoes all the skills they need to find, sell, activate and service their corporate partners or team sponsors. Or, if they don't want
to move forward in their racing careers, have the skills needed to make a positive impression in the business world.

"There's a time for everything, but if you are serious about motorsports or career, you have to understand it's a total package," Schnur said. "There is communication skills, proper grammer, etiquette and, on the business side, sales and marketing."

Molesworth currently drives a Late Model Stock car at Hickory Motor Speedway - already earning two poles for 2007 - and plans on entering selected Legends car races throughout this season. The money he might retrieve from a sponsor could make the difference in having the quality equipment he needs to properly showcase his talents. But now, he has all the speaking and business relationship tools to land that funding.

"Duncan is holding a proposal for a new sponsor because he's going to present it to them," Schnur said. "To be able to walk in and talk to them about it, he's so much further along now than he was even four months ago. He has to be able to walk in, look on the wall and see pictures around the office; he'll know what to talk about because he'll know how to develop rapport."

"The Academy - and I'm also taking a marketing class in school - better helps me understand things outside the racecar and away from the track," Molesworth said. "It's those important parts that you need – like finding funding, getting exposure, etc…all to become a NASCAR star. That's my dream. Before that, we were up in New Jersey and away from it all and really didn't have any clue as to how to market myself, get out there, interview or anything like that. I still got interviewed, but I had never really practiced it, didn't understand the elements of it or anything like that. The webinars and interactive projects like that help us better understand all of this.
Page 1 of 2
Next Page »
1 2 >