Carowinds theme park, located across the border between North and South Carolina, played host to members of the Future Stars in Racing Academy in the park’s “Salute to Motorsports.”
With the young drivers meeting the public, signing autographs, answering questions from the public and media attending, they got a valuable set of lessons in how to deal with the public and reporters.
Attending the event were drivers from as far away as Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina and Florida, ranging in age from 13 to 18. More members of the Academy range in age from nine to 19, with homes as far away as Wisconsin.
“I loved it,” said John Seaman, a Ford Focus Midget racer from Southbury, Connecticut. about his experience at Carowinds, pointing out that his training has already made a big difference in his public speaking skills. “I see where it is making a difference already,” he added.
The day’s activities were not limited to signing autographs and interviews. The attractions of Carowinds beckoned, taking students (parents and some of the staff too! ) onto rides and even into a friendly competition on the park’s kart track, where things got a little interesting. Rolfe Schnur, founder of the Academy, got issued a kart with a bit of an advantage over the rest of the field. He didn’t factor in a little payback from another staffer, who simply spun out the boss in mid—pass, leaving the quicker kart sitting helpless facing the wrong direction.
The Academy trains young drivers in outside-the-car skills needed in today’s complex world of motorsports. With the added experience of being interviewed in front of a live audience and answering questions from the park’s guests, Wednesday provided a concentrated application of their instruction in public speaking and media relations.
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