If you’re a motorsports fanatic or even just a casual car enthusiast, **let’s be real**: at some point, you’ve watched a race—be it F1, NASCAR, or any other series—and thought, “I could do that; all they’re doing is driving a car!” 🏎️ But as a professional driver, I frequently encounter this line of thinking and can’t help but roll my eyes. It’s a common misperception that driving is as easy as it looks. Spoiler alert: it’s not! Here’s why I decided to challenge this notion head-on.
The Race to Prove It’s Not as Easy as it Looks
I often think about how rare it is for most people to appreciate the complexities involved in racing. Take golf or football, for instance. When I see a player skillfully sink a putt or throw a touchdown, I never think, “How hard can that be?” Why? Because I’ve played those sports, and I understand the fine nuances involved. Unlike these sports, however, nearly everyone drives a car. This familiar activity breeds the assumption that racing is an accessible endeavor—leading many to believe that professional drivers are just lucky individuals being paid to drive in circles.
This prevailing belief was further fanned by a poll conducted by a gaming company, where a staggering 32.89% of respondents felt they could complete a racing lap without crashing. An additional 6.24% believed they could even win a NASCAR race! Truly mind-boggling.
The Challenge is Born
To give these optimistic individuals a chance to test their beliefs—and to make it entertaining to watch—I decided it was time for an experiment. With the generous support of The Autopian and Lucid Motors, who provided the car for this challenge, I organized an event at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT, where I would go up against a group of amateur drivers willing to risk their pride (and perhaps a little bit more).
Oh, and as an incentive, I offered a $5,000 prize from my own pocket for anyone who could drive faster than me! 💰
Meet the Competitors
Finding willing participants was no small feat. I needed brave souls who believed they could hold their own against a seasoned NASCAR driver. I finally settled on four individuals, eager for some good-natured rivalry:
Austin and Tara Nelson – A dynamic duo and passionate NASCAR fans hailing from Aspen, CO.
Rick Cadotte – The VP of Growth at a coffee company, who grew up around racing thanks to his father’s involvement with NASCAR teams. He may or may not have an obsession with racing simulators.
- Bard Kligerman (my brother) – Sibling rivalry at its finest! Bard claims he could beat me if given the chance, despite our family having no racing background.
Once the competitors were onboard, it was time to devise a fair yet challenging format for the event.
Setting the Stage: The Competition Format
The competition would consist of three distinct challenges, each escalating in complexity. Competitors would race against each other for the fastest time, with the added incentive of doubling their prize if they could beat me. The stakes were high as each amateur would get multiple attempts to hone their skills, while I would only have one shot.
Challenge One: Stop in a Box
Amateur drivers began this challenge at a speed of 60-70 mph, racing towards a designated stopping zone while attempting to halt within the confines of a box slightly larger than the car itself. With timing loops activated, any overrun meant the clock didn’t count—no pressure!
This was an excellent opportunity for competitors to understand brake modulation, an essential skill known as “threshold braking.” This challenge proved to be more difficult than anticipated, showcasing how challenging the high-speed world of motorsports can truly be.
Challenge Two: Max Cornering Ability
Participants faced the next challenge on the skid pad—testing their skills as they maneuvered through tight turns while trying to maintain composure and grip.
Participants would go from a standing start, navigating through continuous turns, testing their ability to feel the limits of the car and its tires. It’s all about how you tackle the corners—maintaining speed versus managing grip levels.
Challenge Three: A Corner Complex
The climax of our event brought us to a complex course, combining all the skills learned from previous challenges into a sequence of linked corners.
This final test required participants to show their precision in braking, apex speed, and throttle control as they navigated a series of challenging turns. Despite my extensive experience, the electronic aids in the Lucid Air provided plenty of hurdles, making this an unpredictable conclusion.
The Results and What Lies Ahead
In the end, my brother Bard surprisingly triumphed, showcasing an unexpected level of skill that added a fascinating twist to our family dynamics! While I may have comfortably secured victories against the other competitors, Bard’s performance opened a new dialogue about the potential for hereditary skills in racing.
This experiment proved that the advanced technology of the Lucid Air helped level the playing field, allowing amateurs to tighten the competition. I intend to host more events like this in the future, creating additional challenges that allow aspiring racers to showcase hidden talents.
Have thoughts on how I can improve this initiative or ideas for future contests? Join the conversation in the comments! And if you believe you have what it takes, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to feature passionate racing enthusiasts like you in upcoming episodes.
But first, I need to win more races to fund these challenges! 🏁
[Ed note: But you won Daytona?!]
