[FUNDAMENTALS] THREE PILLARS OF MOTORSPORTS SUCCESS
How to guarantee success on the racetrack
“How do I become successful in motorsports?” I am often asked this question, and my answer is always the same: “I don’t know.”
Your definition of success isn’t my definition of success. I don’t know your goals, your circumstances, or the level of the first driving factor: your desire.
After watching other people chase this sport for decades, I have seen more failures than successes. But I can tell you what guarantees success.
There are three pillars, and each one carries equal weight. If you want to be successful, these pillars must remain in a constant loop.
Desire
This is where it all starts. Usually, the desire bank is full: “I want to run in the expert group,” “I want to qualify for a pro race,” or “I want to degree my own cams.”
And, you want it all—right now. Without help. You want to skip the drills, bolt on horsepower instead of skill, and somehow be a pro racer and mechanic, overnight.
Desire is easy. Execution is hard. I have seen more motorsports journeys end because of misguided desire and the ego that comes with it. I mean, how hard can it be?
It’s hard, trust me. But that doesn’t mean your goals are out of reach. Balancing desire with the right amount of curiosity and patience goes a long way.
Team
At some point, you will need more knowledge than you currently possess. That means people, experts in their own lanes who can evaluate, guide, and help you take next steps.
Building a team around you, one that supports you both objectively and subjectively, infinitely shortens your path to success.
Opportunity
You can have all the desire in the world and the best team around you, but none of that matters without opportunity.
What is “opportunity”? It is access to equipment, a racetrack, a place to train, and even a plan. But it also means matching opportunities to current needs.
Do you really need to own the fastest or most powerful car or motorcycle if you haven’t even mastered the slowest or least-powerful one?
Wrapping up
I truly believe you can succeed. But it takes work. You can shortcut some of that work by studying the three pillars and asking yourself the following questions:
Do I have the desire to get moving?
Do I surround myself with people who listen to and grow with me?
Do I take advantage of opportunities, performing eye drills in my favorite chair or working on motor controls during my commute?
About Ken Hill
Ken Hill is considered the top motorcycle riding coach in the U.S. He bought his first motorcycle at age 30 and began road racing the very same year. Despite the late start, Ken went on to set track records and win class championships before making his professional debut in the AMA Superbike class, where he finished in the top 10 at age 41. Ken’s passion for learning and, ultimately, bettering the sport, led him to retire from racing in 2007 and devote himself full-time to coaching. Learn more at khcoaching.com.