RACE101 Graduation Weekend (Premier Driver)

I had long anticipated the graduation weekend for RACE101 that took place last weekend. With hopes high to win the highly regarded Premier Driver Award my mother Elaine, father Kevin and crew member Dustin began our 14 hour drive south toward race city USA. I spent Thursday and Friday touring NASCAR race shops and taking in all that the motorsports oriented area had to offer. Saturday was of course the big day that all the RACE101 students of 2011 and 2012 had been waiting for. Who would be the next representative for RACE101 and who were the new RACE101 prospects for 2012?

As the evening drew nearer I relaxed and took the time to reflect on my time spent at RACE101 and all the accomplishments I had secured over the 2011 season as a result of the mentorship and knowledge I obtained in the program. I realized very quickly that no matter what the outcome and no matter how the awards were distributed I had already achieved my goals I had set at the beginning of the year.

The ceremony began with wise words from Adam Ross, Annamarie Strawhand and Tony Blanchard, mentors and founders of the RACE101 program. The energy was high in the room as parents and friends eagerly awaited for Adam to announce the graduates and award winners. My parents and I mingled with the Gage family over supper and talked racing for the minutes remaining. By this point my heart was racing and I had a feeling that I may be the one to shake Tony Blanchard's hand and receive the premier driver award. Although there was many other very deserving and hard working students I believed I had the extra edge needed to perform and represent the premier driver position. After a quick introduction of the premier driver award my name followed. " We ask you to please join us in welcoming.... Luke Whitteker." At this point I felt a huge sigh of relief. I did it! I had reached my goals and then some!It still feels a little surreal right now but I am motivated and ready to attack any task and take on the responsibility of being premier driver. I hope I make everyone proud!

I know that the students of RACE101 will go on to represent themselves and there racing careers to great success. They have all the strength and tools to reach any goals that they apply themselves to. As a representative of the RACE101 program and of RACE101 students I believe we are breed of our own and a forced to be reckoned with in the motorsports world. Keep an eye on each and every student!

Please visit www.lukewhitteker.com, http://www.facebook.com/lukewhittekermotorsports, https://twitter.com/#!/lukewhitteker

VIDEO - RACE 101 DOCUMENTARY - BUILDING A BETTER DRIVER

Documentary video about the RACE 101 Program. Learn more about our current class of up and coming race drivers, what they have learned to better their own racing programs this year on both the mechanical and marketing side. Meet the faculty and see our alumni racing student success stories. Now accepting applications for our 2012 racing scholarship program - apply online: www.race101.net

Our Students are down to the final homestretch - who will earn the Premier Driver Title and Drive the RACE 101 House Car in 2012?

School is out for RACE 101 Class of 2011;
Final project will determine RACE 101’s next Premier Driver

November 10, 2011, DENVER, NC - RACE 101 held its final classroom sessions of 2011 last weekend in Denver, North Carolina. The battle to earn Premier Driver for 2012 is intense with just weeks until graduation.
“In racing you’re generally measured by your results on the race track,” said program founder Tony Blanchard. “We look for much more from our Premier Driver. We will choose a driver who is balanced with technical, marketing, and media skills, but most importantly we will choose a driver who exemplifies the core values of RACE 101.”
The students were overwhelmed with studies of chassis dynamics, geometry, and impromptu interviews at RACE 101 headquarters. The group also enjoyed a review of goals surpassed during the year.
“The upcoming Premier Driver is going to have a great deal of responsibility,” said instructor Anna Marie Strawhand. “We’ve discovered that our students learn a lot from each other, and it has been exciting to see relationships develop.
“Our Premier Driver will need to manage his or her own career while serving as a role model for current, former, and future students.”
The Premier Driver will also have the opportunity to test and race the RACE 101 Howe house car with McGunegill horsepower in 2012.

RACE 101 Ambassador program introduced
Faculty also introduced the RACE 101 Ambassador program which will keep graduated students actively involved for years to come.
 “We have been honored by our students from 2010 who want to stay involved with the program mentoring current students and speaking to current and potential students,” said instructor Adam Ross. “We’re proud of every graduate of the program, but we’ve recognized an opportunity for certain graduates to stay involved. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that we’ve touched lives.”
RACE 101’s Premier Driver will be introduced during the graduation ceremony in January of 2012, but not before students complete their final assignment which embodies all of what they have learned during the program.
For more information on RACE 101, visit www.race101.net . Each student has a blog along with their own profile page. For interview requests, please contact pr101@race101.net .

My third Race 101 Class

As the season ended, I started to eye my trip down to Race 101. This time when I'm there I will be testing the Race 101 presented by Howe motorsports super late model, at hickory speedway. Along with test the super late model, i will have class for three days with Tony B, Anna Marie, and Adam. Being away from everyone for so long I’m very excited to go back and see my classmates. Another exciting part is the Race100 just expanded the shop, and got more technology. I can’t wait to use the new tools and learn even more! Also when were down there I’ll be attending the dirt nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which is really excited The World of Outlaw are awesome.
Stay tuned and be sure to check www.DerekRobbie.com to hear all about my trip.

Cold Hard Facts Of "Driver Development": It Takes MONEY to MAKE IT

As a motorsports marketing professional and instructor, I know that finding funding is the biggest issue at hand for young and up and coming racing talent today. I experience this daily. I firmly believe, and it has been proven time and time again, that if a driver is as good at marketing and getting his own backing as he is driving he or she will succeed. Young drivers must educate themselves on how to go out and raise the money and get the backing. It can be done. Many racers hire sales/marketing people to find sponsors for them, but few find success that way. Ultimately DRIVERS need to know how to sell themselves or they will not be able to advance their careers. ALL RACE DRIVERS need to invest the time into making the calls and sending out the emails just as much as they do driving. I have drivers/students signing sponsors as we speak, even in this economy. You are your best salesperson. Sponsors want to meet the driver, they want the driver to be their celebrity spokesperson. They want a return on their investment too, once they spend the money. Drivers must learn how to attract, land, and manage sponsors. It is more of a necessity today more than ever.

The RACE 101 program offers one-on-one marketing, sponsorship and PR consulting with our experienced instructors. We work with our students individually to make sure they are properly selling themselves and their racing programs, We teach them the basics to the advanced as needed - give them the tools and confidence to go out and sign their own sponsors.

Are you an up and coming talented race driver hoping and dreaming to get noticed by a big team or a NASCAR driver development program? Well you can get noticed but the bottom line is this - bring a BIG CHECK or you are back to the weekly home track racing off your own paycheck or mom and dad's. Do you know how to go out and get financial backing and make the proper connections to advance your career? Our RACE 101 students and alumni do. Don't get left behind. Educate yourself.  Sales and Marketing - it's a skill all race drivers must learn and apply to succeed. We spend equal time on our marketing curriculum as we do the mechanical and driving side of our program. That is how important it is.

We are very proud of our RACE 101 2010 Student Alumni Driver, Michael Cenzi. He was able to take what he learned at RACE 101 regarding marketing, sales and PR and landed a solid multi-year sponsorship program with Triple A (AAA). Michael serves as AAA's  spokesman and even filmed a PSA (public service announcement) for a Don't Text and Drive Campaign. Michael races late models in Florida, and is planning a move to NC with his 2012 program.

Check out this recent article on NASCAR.com "Finances change the focus of driver development -Future may have more to do with what's in the wallet than who's behind the wheel" http://www.nascar.com/news/110929/inside-nascar-driver-development/index.html - I speak the truth here and NASCAR confirms what I have have been trying to tell racers for years.

Unfortunately, in this day and age of the sport of auto racing it takes alot more than talent to make it to the top as a driver. Sad, but true. The cold hard facts are that you also need money (lots of it) and connections to get there. Our students learn how to properly make those connections and effectively raise funds and sponsorship for their own racing programs and beyond. At Race 101 we believe if you have both the driving skills and the marketing skills to get your own backing you can create your own success as a driver. The proof is in our students, and alumni who have already been successful at this. If you want to learn how to better your career, apply for a RACE 101 scholarship. Only YOU can change your future. To apply for a RACE 101 scholarship or to schedule an online marketing class - go to www.race101.net

I feel confident that when each of our students graduates from our program each year, we have taught and guided them based on our years of experience to go out on their own and land sponsorship. This is something that each one of our students must apply and work hard at. Nobody said it was easy - but if you have the knowledge, tools, you are open to learning, changing with the times and willing to step away from the car and pick up the phone you can make your own dreams a reality.

Questions? I am here to help. Email me at: race101pr@gmail.com

- Annamarie (Annamarie Malfitana-Strawhand, RACE 101 Co-Founder and Director of Marketing/PR/Web and Instructor)

My second start at Monadnock Speedway.

Going in to my second Monadnock Speedway start luck was not on my side. Having 3 dnfs in the last 3 races was not what i wanted in my rookie season.

In the first practice i used it as a shack down since we had the car apart from the last race where we were in a wreck. After the first practice we checked the car over and sow nothing was wrong with the car. I got the okay to go out in the second and third practice hard. We fiured out the car was very loose on the exit, so we added some wedge across the back of the car. I procuded to use the 3rd and final practice as a scuff session for my new tires. The car was fast on new tires.

In the heat race i started 4th. On the start i slide the nose alittle but got control and didnt loose any positions. I stayed there for the next 8 laps still learning the track. I was pressured alittle from the 75 but never got passed. The was a touch tight but we decided to keep the car the same as it will be good for the feature.

In the feature I started 11th out of 14 cars. As the green flag came out i settled in to 11th place and stayed there for the first 6 laps till the caution came out. I restarted 10th. I didnt stay there long as i got passed and settled into 11th place. I gained a position under green as the 16 went off the track. with 10 to go i got passed for 11th where i stayed for the rest of the race. I tried to chase the 75 down for 10 but was not able to catch him. The car was very loose off the corner, which made me learn throttle control. Later to be found out the loose off the corner was a bent rear end we suffered from the wreck 2 weeks ago. Ill be back under way in 2 weeks at seekonk speedway.

my race day at seekonk open wheel wednesday

Right when we showed up, I learned that the track was very slippery and that was something new to me. I started off in the first practice driving the car in too deep and spinning out. From that moment on, I started backing up my corner and adapting to a hot, slippery surface. In round two of practice, I needed to learn how to bump start the car because the battery had died and would not start up (shouldn't have left the fan on). After the car got going, I quickly went back to the progress from practice one. Near the end of the practice, I gave everyone a scare. I hit the bump going into turn 3, and it sent me spinning. I went to save the car, but it suddenly turned right towards the wall. Luckily, I got the car slowed down and stopped before it made contact with the wall.
After practice was concluded we had a long break until the heat races and feature races. I went and found the announcer to hand him my press release for this race. To start off, he remembered who I was, and the last time we raced at Seekonk was about two months ago. When I started talking to him about the press release he stated "Hey this is the same press release on Facebook. I've already read this." I thought it was cool to hear the announcer has already read my press release before I hand it to him at the track. After I was invited to be in the autograph session the track was holding. It was very cool to meet the fans that come to watch us race. Meeting with the fans

In the heat race, I started in 9th position out of 11. Right as the green flag was thrown, I Started turning laps and making sure the car would make the feature in one piece. I was still in 9th place when a caution came out for a single-car spin. I restarted in 8th position. I did not stay there long. I quickly moved up to 5th spot where I stayed to finish the heat race in. I was extremely happy about how the heat race went.

In the feature race, I started 19th out of 21. Right as the green flag was thrown, I started battling for position. The first few laps it was between four of us but a few laps in, I found myself battling with 10 cars. I kept my head-on straight and paid attention to make sure I won't get in a wreck but still move up to position. During lap 12 when I was battling for the position, I started hearing the car break up. I looked down and saw the car was at 250 degrees. I decided to pull the car off to save the engine to make sure I can race the rest of the season. Later we found out the overheating problem was caused by an air pocket in the engine.

When I was talking to my Dad about the car and how it handled, I had a surprise guess come to my trailer. It was Mark Taylor a friend who let me drive his 750 sprint car. It was very cool to see Mark. Before the conclusion of the night, we wrapped up a sponsor deal with Mark that was based on how well I did on my report card for school. It was cool to see my hard work in school help out in racing. I have to Thank Taylor's energy for coming on board.

When I look back at this race, it was a great learning opportunity for me. I learned how to back up my corner, and learn how to read a track better if it's slippery or has a lot of grip. I also learned how to battle with many cars without touching anyone. I was four wide at one point and never touched anyone. I believe when you learn how to battle with multiple cars at once and not touch you have really done good. This also reflects that people in my division have respect for me to run me clean. I believe that can go a long way, and I've been trying to build that respect from the beginning.

I have to Thank my sponsors. They are Thredz Unlimited, Taylor Energy, Robert Rund, West Street Autobody, and Andrews Towing and Recovery. Without their support, I couldn't be racing every weekend. I also have to give a big thank you to my family for helping out and making this happen.

Please come back often as I will be writing one to two times a week to keep everyone up to speed on my progress throughout the year.

My Press release for seekonk speedway race

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Derek Robbie
Derek@derekrobbie.com
508-966-4053

Derek Robbie excited for his second race of the season at Seekonk Speedway during Open Wheel Wednesday
15-year-old phenom looking for another solid race July 20th
BELLINGHAM, MA- Derek Robbie will make his second start at Seekonk Speedway on Wednesday when the family-owned team travels to Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, Massachusetts. Wednesday will be his 5th Pro Four Modified of New England Series race. The 15-year-old from Bellingham, Massachusetts, drives the family owned DDR Motorsports #27 Limited Pro Four Modified.
Last time Robbie was at Seekonk he did not finish the heat race due to mechanical issues, but he hopes to finish it this Wednesday. In the feature Robbie started scratch on the field in 23rd place and slowly moved up through the field. With 5 to go Derek spun the car battling for 7th position but quickly got control of the car and didn't lose his position. Robbie completed the race in the 7th place position.
"I'm hoping to continue to my steady progress and keep on learning" said Robbie. Derek is excited to come back to Seekonk speedway where he showed the best finish of the season with a 7th place finish.
This season is Robbie's 8th year racing with DDR-Motorsports. He began his career racing Quarter midgets and later a 270 sprint car before getting behind the wheel of the modified.
In Robbie's last race he debuted at Stafford Motor Speedway during the Extreme Tuesday event. Though the final run down does not display the results everyone hoped for, the team deemed it a good day. During practice Derek quickly adapted to the ultra fast Stafford Speedway. In the heat race Robbie was scheduled to start 5th, but the 86 car moved to the rear before the green and Derek slid up to the 3rd starting position. On the start, Derek encountered shifting problems. He quickly rebounded and brought up the back of the pack in 8th. Derek remained calmed and quietly started moving forward. At the conclusion of the heat race he found his way in to 4th place.
Next up the feature, where Robbie would start 17th. Derek would not stay there long were he quickly moving up through the field. The first 3 laps saw him get to 14th when he saw two cars begin to spin in front of him. Quick action allowed Derek to miss them to claimed the 12th position. On the restart Robbie garnered 10th and stayed there for awhile running at the back of the lead pack. This until he over drover the corner and lost control of the car and spun. After regaining control of the car he began the long assault to run the field down. When Robbie was making a pass for the 15th spot he got together with the 75 and spun again. This time the caution came out. He would restart 15th and move to 12th when the throttle cable broke and ended his day. Robbie hopes to rebound from the disappointing finish at Stafford and get the top 5 he has been chasing all year.
With the race at Stafford showing a DNF in the record book Robbie keeps his rookie points lead, and increased his margin to second place. Derek also moved into the top 10 in overall drivers points with his finish that evening.
Derek Robbie has several sponsors on board this year helping him. They are Thredz Unlimited, Andrews Towing, Robert Rund, Fleet Safety, and West Street Auto Body, 24 Carat Websites, and Mark Taylor Energy. To learn more about Derek Robbie you can visit DerekRobbie.com or contact Derek at Derek@derekrobbie.com
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my stafford motor speedway debut

My Stafford motor speedway debut was pretty good. In first practice the car was fast but a tick tight, but was mostly me getting use to the track. The next round of practice we threw on new tires and the car was fast, and tight in the middle went away, which I was very happy about. The third round of practice we weren't expecting but we put the old tires on and ran laps to get me use to running on the track. In this practice I also followed cars to get use to being in traffic.

In the heat race I started 5Th but before the green was thrown the 83 car starting third went to the back and I moved into third starting position. at the start I shifted it into Fourth and the carb did not clear about because late to find when we get back to the garage, one of the ears was cracked and letting air into the carb. After I finally got it cleared out and settled into 7Th, I ran the cars down. I got into 4Th and was on 3Rd's bumper as we were running 1st and 2Nd down, but we ran out of time and I finished 4Th. after the race I talked to the crew chief(my dad) and we talked about how to clear the carb out so it doesn't happen again.

On to the feature were I started 17Th out of 19 cars. once again on this start the carb was not cleared but I got it cleared faster and stayed with the pack. a few laps in to the race I picked off a few cars to be in 14Th when two cars in front of me got in a wreck and the caution came out. I restarted 12Th and picked two cars off to get into 10th on the outside. I ran in the back of the pack with the faster unlimited cars, till I ran out of talent and spun the car out. No caution came out because I got the car going. I ran in 15Th place for awhile and when I was going for 14Th position i got in a tangle with him and spun out to bring the caution out. I restarted 18Th. Right away in 5 laps I moved up to 10 position till the caution came out. with 6 to go i was restarting 9. When I hit the gas pedal the car jumped, then died. After figuring the problem out I sow the throttle cable broke and I pulled in. I'm just glad it didn't stick wide open. I finished in 14Th position, but keep the rookie points lead. The car was fast and had something for the faster unlimited cars, as my car is the limited motor(stock).

The really good news was the announcers were talking about me all night. It was cool to impress a announcer that announces for several big race tracks in new England. The other big guy i impress was Ben Dodge. He is a huge race promoter in the new England area and its hard to catch his eye, and i did. All he kept saying was wow that kid is only 15. I was really happy about that and hope to meet Ben some day.

I have to thank my sponsors and crew for the help they do. My sponsors are thredz unlimited, andrews towing and recovery, west street auto body, Robert Rund and fleet saftey. The crew members i have to thank is my dad, my mom, my sisters, cam mcdermott, Dan meservy SR, Jamie pina, and Dan Meservy.

To learn more about me visit DerekRobbie.com or email me at Derek@derekrobbie.com. You can also find more about my division the pro four modifieds of new england at pro4mods.com

Students learning the value of social networking

Race 101 students have been working hard on their social networking skills to promote their race programs. 16 year old Anthony Perez came up with a unique idea to get fans to follow his racing news and updates on Facebook and Twitter. He had decals made for the back of his race car that say: "As long as you are back there, follow me on Facebook and Twitter." He included his Facebook and Twitter links on the back bumper of his Pro-Six stock car that he races regularly at Langley Speedway, in Hampton, Virginia.  Perez is currently leading the rookie points for his division and has been gaining a good following both on and off track.

Anthony Perez tweets his racing updates all week long.

The back bumper of Anthony Perez' Pro Six Race Car - gaining followers and hoping all the competion stays back there.

To follow our students and alumni on Facebook and Twitter, please visit their ROSTER pages on http://www.Race101.net