I watched Episode 1 again and enjoyed it as much as I did the first time I viewed it. It sets the tone for what it is like to start racing, especially with the dreams and aspirations of becoming a professional race car driver.
Episodes 2 and 3 take us to the first two race events on the Mazda MX5 Cup race series schedule: Daytona and Sebring. The Mazda MX5 Cup is a renowned racing series that serves as a stepping stone for aspiring professional race car drivers. Each race event in the series features two races, which helps to keep the budgets down since travel is one of the biggest costs in racing. Another huge cost is track time, so having practice, qualifying, and two races gives each race weekend plenty of track time and racing experience. And there is nothing like a race that brings out the best and worst of any driver, especially new ones.
Both episodes provide more background on team owner Shea Holbrook. I have known Shea since she attended my driver development program in 2008, and I have watched her progress from her driving career to now being a team owner. The role of a team owner is crucial in the success of the drivers. Shea, for instance, has always been high energy, smart, spirited, and spicey, and while she’s matured, she’s not changed her MO. You can tell she loves racing and always presents her authentic best self. (My guess is the shows are rated 16+ much due to her cussing, which is a shame but is also her “real self” and not being done for effect.) Shea had the same dream – to become a professional race car driver. While she managed to get quite high up on the ladder, she realized early on that racing was a business and brought that perspective to full use as a team owner.
One of the things I love about the series is how it takes you to the different race tracks around the country, giving you a little bit of the history of the tracks and an inside view of them. This should help all the tracks that the MX5 Cup series goes to.
This series shows just how tough it is to be successful in this sport, and I’m especially excited because it’s an opportunity to show how female drivers can get the job done. Heather and Sally are new to actual car racing. They both talk about this and recognize they are starting at the bottom of the learning curve. I know that editors love showing drama, so it’s disappointing to see how much they focus on how both drivers are not managing the reality of all the issues and challenges that pro racing requires. At first, I was disturbed to see this; then, I reminded myself they were just 20 and 22 years old. In comparison, I did not start racing until I was 27 and didn’t get into professional racing in IMSA until my early 30s. Everyone matures differently, and years of life experiences are invaluable. I am impressed with how supportive team members and crew chiefs are for both drivers, especially how helpful Shea’s insights are. This support system is a testament to the camaraderie and teamwork in the racing community. At one point, when she tells Heather, “It’s ok to cry – girls usually cry when they’re upset, boys just have a hissy fit,” I laughed! The only time I remember crying at a race track was when my dog was killed at one of my early Sports Car Club of America races. Still, I sure remember several times having a hissy fit/even going after a few drivers ready to yell and throw a punch, then realizing my fist couldn’t do any damage. I remember when then IMSA Chief Steward Charlie Rainville stopped me on my way before doing something stupid and another time yelling at Roush Racing Team Manager Lee White to pull teammate Robert Lappalainen off the track after he put me in the wall at a Trans Am race at St. Pete! I digress.
I was disappointed to see how much Heather and Sally crashed into each other. That only spotlights the women driver naysayers. I hope this does not continue throughout the season and that they start to develop better racecraft and respect for each other in future episodes.
Shea’s insight that every driver’s career is defined by every single moment, both high and low, is a powerful reminder of the pressure and potential for growth in this sport. It’s a process, and your body of work counts. The hope is that these new drivers will start to absorb the great advice they are getting and begin to race well. This series is a testament to the potential for growth and success in motorsports, and it’s exciting to see these drivers evolve.
There’s a lot of pressure on these drivers, teams, and Mazda because this is such a highly visible story being shared. There has been tremendous media support and exposure since the shows began airing, including being on Good Morning America, where Mazda donated to Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) to support WIMNA’s SHEro Award! That was amazing!! All of this is helping the world see how our sport is truly gender-neutral. The car doesn’t know who’s behind the wheel, so it’s a great platform to show how men and women can compete on equal terms,
Cannot wait to see the next episodes, which will air on Prime on April 15!
