News
MARCOS AMBROSE & GRM LAUNCH DRIVER EVALUATION PROGRAM
Garry Rogers Motorsport (GRM) has launched a new driver evaluation and training program, to be led by the team’s Competition Director and racing champion Marcos Ambrose.
Intended to take place in late 2021, the GRM Combine – Driven by Marcos Ambrose will offer young and emerging drivers four days of track time at Tasmania’s Symmons Plains Raceway and Baskerville Raceway, where participants will gain seat time in GRM’s TCR, Trans Am and S5000 racecars.
In addition to on-track running, participants will receive coaching from Ambrose, GRM’s TCR drivers James Moffat and Dylan O’Keeffe, and S5000 pilots James Golding and Nathan Herne. GRM’s professional drivers will also set benchmark laps for participants of the Combine.
The initiative is the brainchild of two-time Supercars champion and NASCAR race winner Ambrose, who witnessed similar ‘Combine’ programs during his time competing in the USA. The Combine aims to build the skill sets of young drivers with track time in different types of racing car in a controlled environment, while benefiting from expert tuition and guidance.
Participants of the Combine will receive the opportunity to drive GRM’s TCR cars as raced in the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series. Laps in the turbocharged, four-cylinder TCR machines will be preceded by a familiarisation session in a front-wheel drive Hyundai Excel racecar.
Participants will also experience rear-wheel drive, V8 power in the form of a 525-horsepower Trans Am car as raced in the National Trans Am Series.
Drivers of sufficient experience or who demonstrate the requisite capability and attitude will then step up to the high-powered Rogers AF01/V8 S5000 open wheel racecar, with preliminary laps in a Mygale Formula Ford open wheeler.
Skid pan sessions and passenger laps with GRM’s professional drivers in TCR cars will also form part of the program.
A week of work experience at GRM’s race facility in Dandenong South, Victoria is an optional addendum to the Combine, allowing participants to follow in the footsteps of many GRM race drivers who have developed their motorsport and mechanical understanding by working as part of the GRM team.
For more information on the GRM Combine – Driven by Marcos Ambrose, including costings and program inclusions, interested applicants must e-mail combine@grmotorsport.com.au
QUOTES
MARCOS AMBROSE
GRM Competition Director
“One of the critical factors for drivers aspiring to a motorsport career, and their families and sponsors, is knowing what path to take in the sport,” said Ambrose.
“The GRM Combine is a chance for young drivers to sample a variety of high-level racecars – from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive V8 and open wheel – and see where they are at with the coaching and benchmarking of GRM’s pro drivers. Our intent is to assist drivers and their families with identifying that next step.
“The other element we are passionate about is educating young race drivers, which ultimately creates better drivers and improves the quality of racing. With what I have learnt in my career, and with the knowledge of GRM’s current drivers, we can distil our experiences for the benefit of participants in the Combine.
“This is not a driver search or an audition, but at the same time we are always looking for the next wave of talent and anyone who displays the right skills and attitude could certainly end up racing for GRM in TCR, S5000 or Trans Am.
“Fundamentally, this is all about the best form of training a driver can get – that’s track time, and in racecars which are at the upper levels of the sport.”