How spotters work in racing is one of the topics covered in this week’s Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup. I also have advice on the driver-engineer relationship, series news and much more.
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
How Race Car Drivers See Their Blind Spots | Behind the Scenes with Spotters at The Rolex 24
In endurance racing, the driver isn’t alone. High above the track, the spotter is the driver’s second set of eyes — protecting the car, managing chaos, and filtering information at 180+ mph.
This is the unseen role that shapes every result. Pack racing 30 cars deep. Fog that erases visibility. Prototype traffic closing on GTD and GTD PRO. Editing radio calls in real time so drivers can stay locked in.
Spotters don’t just call “clear.” They predict battles half a lap ahead, identify platinum vs. bronze drivers in traffic, manage tire pace in crunch time, and operate on instinct after 20 straight hours on the stand.
What is a Racecar Logbook, And why are they important?
Logbooks are one of those details about racing that you may not know about until well after you build or purchase your first racecar. These little books can actually mean quite a bit when purchasing or building a racecar, so make sure you know what they can tell you (and what they don’t). This post will have some basic info so you can know what to look for and expect.
No Money Motorsports explains the importance of a racecar logbook.
The Key Qualities a Driver is Looking for in a Race Engineer
The Formula 1 website asked F1 TV analyst and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe what exactly makes the relationship between a driver and an engineer work, and the key traits a driver looks for in their ideal race engineer.
“I feel engineers that have had some type of racing experience always excel in speaking ‘driver’. Conversely, the engineer needs to explain setup philosophy and race strategy in a way the driver can digest. That’s the ‘what’. The ‘when’ is just as important. A driver wants an engineer who knows when they need that extra piece of information, that pumping-up pep talk, or crucially, when to say nothing at all. This part of the communication leads nicely into the next trait.”
Read his full thoughts here.
Race Car & Series Developments
Inside FIA Circuit Homologation: From Blueprints to Race-Ready
Discover the FIA Circuit Homologation process, from blueprints to the lights going out for the first race. In this video, you’ll also learn how FIA Circuit Grades are determined and how the process differs for permanent and street circuits.
Bathurst 12 Hour Crash Raises Questions Over Radio Communication Failures
A 27G crash at the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour underscored both the resilience of modern race cars and the consequences of radio communication failures. The incident highlights how small operational breakdowns can escalate into significant safety and competitive setbacks. Vantage beaks it all down here.
Qatar 1812KM Postponed, WEC Season To Start At Imola
The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship will start at Imola in April, following a decision to postpone the planned season opener at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar due to the current conflict across the Middle East.
GT World Challenge Reveals Capacity Grids Featuring 10 Manufacturers
Ahead of the opening race at Circuit Paul Ricard on 11–12 April, GT World Challenge powered by AWS is making final preparations for a spectacular season of action on and off the circuit. The competition is certain to be fierce this year, with a fantastic 59-car field confirmed for the Endurance Cup and a record 45 cars entered in the Sprint Cup. As such, both series are at full capacity for the season ahead.
Super Trofeo Europe Among the Highlights of Lamborghini Arena at Imola on 9 and 10 May
Lamborghini Arena returns to the Autodromo di Imola on 9 and 10 May in an event that strengthens the bond between brand and motorsport. For the first time the Arena program will host an official round of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe, the second meet of the season following the opening round at Paul Ricard, placing a key pillar of the Sant’Agata Bolognese manufacturer’s racing activities at the heart of the Arena event.
Mustang Cup Season Prize Details Announced
Motorcraft Mustang Cup Australia has revealed the full suite of prizes for its winners in the inaugural season, with Supercars test drives and international opportunities up for grabs.
Mexico Axed as 2026 FIA TCR World Tour Season Opener
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodrígues in Mexico will not host the 2026 FIA TCR World Tour season opener which will instead be moved to a yet to be confirmed venue in Europe.
Wright Motorsports Expands 2026 SRO Program After Record Attendance Surge
Wright Motorsports will field three Porsche 911 GT3 R entries in SRO America for 2026, expanding its footprint in a rapidly growing GT racing market. The multi-car strategy increases data depth, operational leverage, and sponsor exposure in a competitive season. Vantage explains.
Record Number of Rookies for 2026 Radical Cup Season
The 2026 Radical Cup North America season is set to begin at the legendary Sebring International Raceway, March 5-8. Amazingly, nearly a third of the 25 drivers can be considered Radical Cup ‘rookies’, launching what promises to be one of the freshest faced yet most competitive seasons in series history.
F=ma Launches to Unify Car Culture and Motorsports Into a Scalable Ecosystem
A new company named F=ma has launched to unify and align the media, marketing and experiences surrounding the car culture and motorsports space. F=ma combines three established companies under one roof, giving brands and consumers a clearer, more direct way to participate in and grow car culture and motorsports. James Schiefer, a multi-generational automotive entrepreneur and operator, serves as Chief Executive Officer of F=ma.
One of the properties united under the F=ma brand will be Gridlife. Grassroots Motorsports looks into what this means for the racing community.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
How Sim Racing Has Changed F1 Fandom
How to get motorsport sponsorship is the main point of The Business of Being a Race Driver and last week was no exception. There is a lot of practical advice that you can use in your sponsorship acquisition efforts with a lot of videos and links to resources and opinions you will find useful.
Track Days
Underdog: 1969 Mini Cooper S Racing the Tour Auto
The Tour Auto is one of the last places where a 1969 Mini Cooper can line up alongside a Cobra and earn its result on the same roads, under the same clock. Valentin Simonet and Quentin Leblond of Mecanicus took their Mini Cooper S Mk2 from Paris to Nice. 2,200 kilometers. Five days. And a podium with their third in class. Read the article here.
ProSimu Motion Simulation Exclusive Track Event
Join ProSimu Motion Simulation at the Exclusive Drive Event from March 20–22 at the legendary Le Mans Track. Drive your own car on one of the most iconic circuits in the world, and experience ProSimu motion simulation on-site. Real track. Real performance. Real motion. Full details can be found here.
Racing & Testing Opportunities
FA Race Academy Test Day March 22-23
The testing season of the Formelaustria Race Academy is starting. First up, two days at the Autodrom Most. If you are an F4 driver, a karting talent or a top SimRacer, then get in touch with them to book a full day or a 1/2 day session – office@formelaustria.at
Here are the details of the first test session.
F4 Test Autodrome Most – March 22/23, 2026
- ½ day session
- Technical instruction
- Approx. 130 km – divided into stints
- Transportation costs
- All entry fees & pit rental
- Technical running costs,
- Racecar rental & preparation
- Data analysis & driver coaching,
- Racing fuel costs
- Good used tires
- Set of new Pirelli tires (available at extra cost 1.1k)
- No Insurance (available at extra cost)
- Logo space for your sponsors on the car
- HM Sports PR & media package
Fee: EUR 4,990 net
- Full day session
- Approx. 200 km – divided into stints
Fee: EUR 7,750 net