Road Racing Drivers Club To Present Young Drivers Symposium At PRI

HILLIARD, October 16, 2009: The Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC) will present its first RRDC/FIA Young Drivers Symposium, supported by a grant from the FIA Motor Sport Safety Development Fund, at the 22nd annual Performance Racing Trade Show in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 11. Founded in 1952, the RRDC has been dedicated to racing safety for more than 50 years.

Bobby Rahal, Indy 500 winner and president of the RRDC, will lead the symposium, along with RRDC members and invited experts, to help young racing drivers, including those graduating from karts to cars, raise their awareness of safety by teaching them to effectively manage their racing vehicles and themselves.

The free "Safe is Fast" workshop - with S.A.F.E. an acronym for Skilled, Assured, Fit, Empowered - will feature a number of racing champions who are RRDC members, plus renowned industry experts such as Jim Leo, president of PitFit Training, Inc., and Jacques Dallaire, Ph.D., of Performance Prime, among others to be announced.

Topics to be covered include safety, physical fitness, setup and driving skills, sponsorship/branding, mental preparation, career management, and more. All workshop materials will be provided.

"The Road Racing Drivers Club's agenda has evolved to helping up-and-coming racing drivers to pursue their dreams by having the right tools as they begin their careers," said Rahal. "The members of the RRDC throughout the years have been invited to join the organization because of their championship skills, their on-track and off-track demeanors, and their professional attitudes, whether in the pro or amateur ranks. It is a privilege for the RRDC members of today, along with the industry experts who are willing to give up their time, and with the support of the FIA Motor Sport Safety Development Fund, to share their experiences and abilities with drivers who are embarking on their new careers."

The symposium is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 11, 8:30 a.m.-noon, in Meeting Room S 330 E and F (third level), at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The PRI Trade Show age restriction of 18 years has been waived for The RRDC/FIA Young Drivers Symposium, and each participant will receive a PRI show credential. However, registration is required and space is limited. Participants are asked to register early at www.rrdc.org. Registration on www.rrdc.org opens on Oct. 21, and any questions may be directed to RRDC1@cox.net.

Two additional symposiums are planned: in April, in conjunction with the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, and in May, around the Indianapolis 500.

The Road Racing Drivers Club was formed in 1952 as a way to give champion drivers a say in their sport, particularly in the areas of safety, and has evolved to serve the future of road racing by mentoring new drivers on both amateur and professional levels. The Club now has more than 150 active members, including leading industry professionals, race officials and motorsports journalists, in addition to prominent racing names.

President Bobby Rahal is the 1986 Indy 500 winner and is co-owner, with David Letterman, of the 2004 Indianapolis 500 winning team. Six-time SCCA National Champion John Fergus is the Club's Vice President/Treasurer, and Formula Super Vee champion Tom Davey is the Secretary. In addition to RRDC members lending their expertise to up-and-coming drivers, the Club presents three annual awards: the Phil Hill Award for rendering outstanding service to road racing; the Mark Donohue Award for personal spirit and performance at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs; and the Bob Akin Award for speed with style, passion, sportsmanship and contribution to motorsports.

The RRDC also supports the Team USA Scholarship, which has been assisting young Americans in the early stages of their careers since 1990.

Membership in the RRDC is by invitation only.