Speed Freaks

“A racetrack is a safe environment to go fast and compete,” says Motorsport New Zealand General Manager Brian Budd. “Everyone is going in the same direction, there are no cross-roads or pedestrians, there are emergency services standing by if someone does make a mistake. The focus is on real driving excellence, and the vehicles range from sleek single-seaters to cars off the showroom floor – only modified by the addition of extra safety equipment.”

Motorsport NZ is behind a wide range of car competitions – from basic club sport motokhanas held in paddocks or empty carparks, to sprints on closed roads, circuit racing and rallying. In the broadest sense, motorsport includes karting, drag-racing and stock cars. All of these sports are
very popular.

But Brian Budd is concerned that the ‘Playstation generation’ is not buying into it. This group is creating myths about fast driving and vehicle capabilities, without the benefit of guidance from people who really know what they are talking about. He believes that the combination of no-consequences racing games and the failure to recognise the importance of developing driving skills beyond driver licence requirements is producing a dangerous environment.

“Young drivers are not required to receive any skill instruction on what to do when something goes wrong on the road, or how to drive at motorway speeds in high traffic densities. They are left to find out for themselves. If they are lucky, they develop defensive driving skills so that, for example, if they go into a corner too fast and their car starts to skid, they know how to control that. But many do not, as the road toll confirms.”

Unlike the generation who learned to drive in farm paddocks and in slow, old cars, today’s learners often don’t have the chance to make mistakes in lower risk environments. These days, even the cheapest car can have more power than the average young driver can handle.

Many kids have been raised in a risk-averse world, they have no real appreciation of genuine risk when they get behind the wheel of a car.

Motorsport NZ itself places a high priority on driving excellence and safety. The organisation runs an elite driving academy and a scholarship programme to develop talented young racing drivers.
“Anyone can think they are a great driver but until they’ve seen what these drivers can do, they really have no idea. We have developed young teenage drivers to exceptional levels of skill, so much so that they are making their mark on the international motor racing scene.”

The academy programme builds on the practical driving skills learned in competition by developing a range of other skills, including self-awareness and discipline. The programme touches on fatigue awareness, hydration, nutrition, physical fitness and the stamina required to wear a fire-suit in 40 degree heat on a racetrack.

Motorsport NZ believes that while many of the safety technologies developed for motorsport find their way from racing cars to private vehicles, the skills and a professional attitude to risk remain disconnected. The organisation was disappointed by the reaction of officials to its Pro-drive education programme, which taught driving skills to young licensed drivers at secondary schools.
“It was extremely popular and almost 100,000 students benefitted, but we couldn’t obtain government funding and couldn’t afford to sustain it ourselves.”

Meanwhile, Motorsport NZ is behind the Federation Internationale d’Automobile’s (FIA) Decade of Action on Road Safety which begins this year.

“The Decade of Action programme is targeting saving lives and we intend to be a part of it,” says Brian. “Working together using their respective skills, Motorsport NZ and the AA can, I am sure, make a significant contribution to improving road safety and safety awareness. 

“We have a huge resource in people who know a lot about cars, driving and risk management.”