SupaTunaGT

Online Events => Career in a Year => Topic started by: BakedTuna on May 07, 2014, 12:12:13 AM

Title: June "So now what?"
Post by: BakedTuna on May 07, 2014, 12:12:13 AM
Car Caterham
Tuning open
565 points
180HP
420 Kilos Sports soft tires
no aids


Following is purely fictional BS. Only thrown out there for the purpose of filling in the "career" part to all this. And to possibly the logic behind what we are driving next month.

So now you are five years into your professional career. Not to mention all the years as an amateur karter. Going to the track has always been your happy place, no matter what track it was, this is where felt you were the most yourself. But here lately that has been changing.  

The business side of things has taken a toll on your fun level in the sport. Frustration is mounting as you have done your time in “junior” series and shown some speed and adaptability but the offers from big time or factory teams are not coming your way. Even though your current season is only about a quarter over, the business demands that you stay one step ahead. So the planning and hunting for next year’s ride is in full swing..

Your agent assures you the interest is there but several seats have went to drivers with big financial backing. He says it is sad that the best driver is not always the one a team ends up with due to fiscal responsibility of the business. This does not help your views on being able to sustain a long term career in the sport. You do not lack confidence in your talents but have neither a rich family nor a golden goose business connection.

So now what?  
Title: Re: June "So now what?"
Post by: BakedTuna on May 08, 2014, 11:00:19 PM
Following is purely fictional BS. Only thrown out there for the purpose of filling in the "career" part to all this. And to possibly the logic behind what we are driving next month.

One night while out at dinner you run into an old competitor from your karting days. In sitting and talking for a while it comes out about the crossroads you are at in your career. Your friend tells you have been lucky that it has gone this far, he had to let go of those ambitions years ago. Now he is teaching an advanced automotive course at the local college. This year they are entered into a program involved with the SCCA. The students build and maintain a kit car through a season of semi pro racing. He finishes his story and his beer then says he better get home. But as he is leaving he says to stop by and see the class some time and if you know of any young drivers worth looking at, that will be available cheaply or free, to let him know they have not found anyone to pilot their class’s car yet. As you part ways you each offer wishes of good luck to each other, but in your head you think it will likely be another ten years before you bump into each other again.
Title: Re: June "So now what?"
Post by: BakedTuna on May 12, 2014, 03:15:34 PM
Following is purely fictional BS. Only thrown out there for the purpose of filling in the "career" part to all this. And to possibly the logic behind what we are driving next month.

So your agent calls you in for a meeting wanting to decide which direction you are wanting him to take negotiations. You explain to him that the discipline is not as important Touring Cars, NASCAR, Indy etc. What is important is that he knows you are wanting to hear offers from the bigger or factory teams from the bigger series. “But what about the privateers or some of the smaller teams? If you are not interested in them, are you prepared to take a year off?” he says. When you think about it you decide no small time team for you this year. Besides some time off away from all of this may open your eyes to how much you still love the sport or maybe you will find yourself enjoying something new in life.

You leave the meeting feeling good about yourself, this is the first time as a pro driver that you feel like you can call the shots for your career and not worry about how you will survive to pay your bills. Having a savvy business manager has paid off, you have enough put back to be able to take this stance. Well at least for one season. But let's hope it does not come to this.
Title: Re: June "So now what?"
Post by: EX_stream_tuna on May 14, 2014, 08:41:50 AM
if the senna kart is significantly different than the ones we already have, I wonder if it would be okay to go backwards a bit and do another kart month?  Just an idea for ya ;)

Or, were you thinking of ending this series after May?  Summers are busy of course, but I would still stop by when I can.
Title: Re: June "So now what?"
Post by: BakedTuna on May 16, 2014, 11:48:17 PM
Following is purely fictional BS. Only thrown out there for the purpose of filling in the "career" part to all this. And to possibly the logic behind what we are driving next month.

Spoke to your agent he said there had been an offer made by a top team but it may not be what you had in mind. The series is held at tracks across Europe. The offer is from Castrol Team Hahn Racing. Not familiar.
(http://www.team-hahn-racing.de/tl_files/hahn/MAN-truck.jpg)

You tell him thanks but no thanks.

So now what?
Title: Re: June "So now what?"
Post by: BakedTuna on May 24, 2014, 11:10:29 PM

Following is purely fictional BS. Only thrown out there for the purpose of filling in the "career" part to all this. And to possibly the logic behind what we are driving next month.

On a whim you decide to stop by to visit your friend, teaching at the local college. He is excited to see you thinking you might have a lead on a driver for the class project. All of a sudden it hits you and you blurt out “I will do it”. He asks if you are serious and you say yes this might reignite your passion to get back to a grass roots level. He tells you the school will only cover expenses there is no paycheck for the driver. You say that is perfect this whole thing will be about the joy of racing with no business distractions at all. After a year of racing for fun you should know if you are ready and wanting to continue down the path of a professional race car driver.
Title: Re: June "So now what?"
Post by: BakedTuna on May 26, 2014, 09:52:48 AM
Following is purely fictional BS. Only thrown out there for the purpose of filling in the "career" part to all this. And to possibly explain the logic behind what we are driving next month.

The corporate sponsor was an easy one to line up the Caterham University Pro Series is proudly backed by Solo Cups. When they looked at their market demographics race fans and college students were at the top of the list. Our second choice was going to be Victoria's Secret if for nothing else the trophy girls they could possibly provide.

Early details are sketchy but here are some preliminary numbers and tracks listing from the race organizers. Details will be worked out and announced before the final race of this season.

Caterham Superlight 180 hp and 420 kilos Willow(x2), Matterhorn(x3), Ascari, Motegi E.,Monaco
Sports soft tires, no aids as Caterhams offer nothing on their road cars even.

Race nights will go back to the double header format. Expect the reversed grid and solo Qing to stick around.