Parents
Choosing Your Kid's First Kart Track: What to Check
Choosing your kid's first kart track? Check the class lineup, the surface, the novice rules, and the coaching before you buy a single part of gear.
Jett Johnson·September 29, 2026
Blog
Racing tips, sponsorship advice, and real stories from the track.
Sponsorship
A Sponsor Wants to Pay You in Leads, Not Cash. Take It?
A brand skips the check and offers a cut of every sale your code brings in instead. Here's what that deal actually is, and the question that decides if you sign.
Jett Johnson·September 29, 2026
Getting Started
Winter and Ice Driving Events: Cheap Car Control Practice
Ice gymkhanas, frozen-lake racing, and winter driving schools turn a Colorado winter into cheap car control practice. Real prices, real locations, real rules.
Jett Johnson·September 29, 2026
Racing Costs
Racing Helmet Cost: What $250 vs. $2,000 Actually Buys
Racing helmet cost, tier by tier: real 2026 prices from $210 to $2,600, what the extra money actually buys you, and the one thing worth paying for.
Jett Johnson·September 28, 2026
Sponsorship
Sponsorship on a Handshake: What Happens If It Goes Bad
A handshake sponsorship deal is usually a real contract. The hard part is proving it. Here's what holds up, what doesn't, and the email that fixes it.
Jett Johnson·September 28, 2026
Getting Started
What Is a Skid Pad? Car Control Clinics, Explained
A skid pad is a wet circle where you practice losing grip on purpose. Here's what a car control clinic actually costs, what you do, and where to find one.
Jett Johnson·September 28, 2026
Sponsorship
A Sponsor Wants to Put Their Guy in Your Race Car
A sponsor asks to put an employee in your race car for a weekend. Here's who actually decides, why the answer is no, and four things to sell them instead.
Jett Johnson·September 27, 2026
Sim to Real
What Is Time Attack Racing? The Format vs. The Scene
Time attack racing means two things: a scoring format you can enter in a street car, and a modified-car scene. Here's the difference and what entry costs.
Jett Johnson·September 27, 2026
Driver Development
Where to Look on Track: Vision Habits That Make You Faster
Where to look on track, corner by corner: the one-stage-ahead rule, what eye-tracking research found in real race cars, and four drills that fix lazy vision.
Jett Johnson·September 27, 2026
Getting Started
How to Sign Up for Your First Track Day, Step by Step
How to sign up for a track day start to finish: finding real events, membership rules, run groups, tech forms, and the refund policy to read before you pay.
Jett Johnson·September 26, 2026
Sponsorship
Stop Pitching Corporate. The Franchisee Has the Money.
Most franchise locations are contractually required to spend a slice of sales on local marketing. Here's how to get a franchise to sponsor your race car.
Jett Johnson·September 26, 2026
Racing Costs
What It Costs to Build a Spec Miata From a Donor Car
Building a Spec Miata from a donor car in 2026: what the donor really costs, the $15,000 parts list, the cage math, and when buying used wins instead.
Jett Johnson·September 26, 2026
Behind the Scenes
How to Find a Race Car Mechanic or Prep Shop You Trust
Finding a race car mechanic you trust comes down to specifics, not vibes. How to vet a prep shop on rates, class knowledge, logbook literacy, and insurance.
Jett Johnson·September 25, 2026
Driver Development
Left-Foot Braking: When It Helps and When It Hurts
Left-foot braking is standard in karts and paddle-shift cars. In an H-pattern race car it barely applies. Here's when to use it, and how to learn it safely.
Jett Johnson·September 25, 2026
Sponsorship
Sponsor Wants to Prepay for a Discount? Do the Math.
A sponsor offering to prepay your whole racing season for a discount is either cheap money or very expensive money. Here's the math that tells you which.
Jett Johnson·September 25, 2026
Racing Costs
Camping at the Track vs. a Hotel for a Race Weekend
Camping at the track or booking a hotel for a race weekend? Real Colorado numbers from HPR and Pueblo, what each one actually costs you, and how to choose.
Jett Johnson·September 24, 2026
Driver Development
Racing Driving Position: How to Sit in the Car on Track
Your driving position decides how much you feel. How to set seat distance, recline, height, arms and hands for track driving, plus three ten-second checks.
Jett Johnson·September 24, 2026
Sponsorship
Two Racers, One Car: How to Split a Sponsorship
You share a race car with another driver and you both need sponsors. Here's how to split the inventory, the money and the reporting without breaking a deal.
Jett Johnson·September 24, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Spec Miata Setup for High Plains Raceway: What Changes
Spec Miata setup for High Plains Raceway: Mazda's published baseline numbers, the three things HPR's altitude and elevation change, and what to leave alone.
Jett Johnson·September 23, 2026
Sponsorship
Give Sponsors Your In-Car Video. Never Give the Data.
A sponsor asked for your in-car footage. Send edited video on a license, never the raw telemetry. What to hand over, what to keep, and the clause to write.
Jett Johnson·September 23, 2026
Driver Development
Understeer vs. Oversteer: What They Feel Like on Track
Understeer vs. oversteer in plain English: what each one feels like from the driver's seat, what causes it, how to catch a slide, and where to practice safely.
Jett Johnson·September 23, 2026
Sponsorship
Ask Your Sponsor to Vouch for You. Here's the Script.
A current sponsor who'll vouch for you is the cheapest asset in racing. Here's what to ask for, when to ask, and the exact reference-request script.
Jett Johnson·September 22, 2026
Driver Development
How to Heel-Toe Downshift (and When You Actually Need To)
Heel-toe downshifting in plain English: what it fixes, the exact foot sequence, how to practice it off-track, and whether you need it yet at an HPDE.
Jett Johnson·September 22, 2026
Sponsorship
Race Photos That Sell Sponsorship (And What to Cut)
Most racers send sponsors the wrong race photos. Here are the five shots that sell a sponsorship pitch, how to caption each one, and what to leave out.
Jett Johnson·September 22, 2026
Racing Costs
How Much Does a Dyno Run Cost? Pulls, Tunes, Classing
How much does a dyno run cost? Published Colorado shop rates for baseline pulls and tuning, plus why a certified dyno sheet is required paperwork in NASA.
Jett Johnson·September 21, 2026
Sponsorship
Your Sponsor Wants Your Race Car at Their Trade Show
A sponsor invited you to their trade show. Here's what the appearance really means, the fire-code rules for getting a race car indoors, and what it's worth.
Jett Johnson·September 21, 2026
Getting Started
Which Racing League Should You Join? NASA, SCCA, More
A plain comparison of the racing leagues a beginner can actually join — NASA, SCCA, ChampCar, Lucky Dog, vintage and marque clubs — and how to pick one.
Jett Johnson·September 21, 2026
Sponsorship
Don't Ask for a Season Sponsor. Ask Them to Buy Tires.
Stop pitching a whole season. Asking a sponsor to cover one line item — tires, entry fees, fuel — is a smaller, faster yes. Here's how to write that ask.
Jett Johnson·September 20, 2026
Kart to Car
SCCA Drivers School: What to Expect and What It Costs
The SCCA Drivers School is the weekend that unlocks wheel-to-wheel racing. Here's what happens, what it costs, and whether you actually need one.
Jett Johnson·September 20, 2026
Getting Started
What Is a Hill Climb Race? Rules, Costs, How to Enter
A hill climb race is one car, one closed road, one clock. How the format works, the safety gear you actually need, and what an entry really costs.
Jett Johnson·September 20, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Race Incident Review: How Officials Decide Who's at Fault
After contact on track, an incident review decides who was at fault. Here is who reviews it, the evidence they use, and how protests and appeals really work.
Jett Johnson·September 19, 2026
Sponsorship
Sponsorship Inbox Audit: What Slow Replies Cost You
Before you send another pitch, run this sponsorship inbox audit. Reply speed, your send address, dead links — seven checks that quietly cost racers deals.
Jett Johnson·September 19, 2026
Getting Started
What Is Time Trial Racing? The Step Between HPDE and Racing
Time trial racing sits between HPDE and wheel-to-wheel. What it takes to enter, what your car actually needs, and how scoring works at NASA and SCCA.
Jett Johnson·September 19, 2026
Behind the Scenes
The Racing Off-Season Plan: What to Do Before Spring
A racing off-season plan built around four jobs — the car, the driver, the paperwork, and the money — plus a month-by-month table you can actually work from.
Jett Johnson·September 18, 2026
Sponsorship
What a Sponsor's Finance Team Needs at Fiscal Year-End
Marketing says yes. Finance decides whether the check clears this year. What a sponsor's finance team needs at fiscal year-end to pay you before close.
Jett Johnson·September 18, 2026
Getting Started
Window Net, Master Switch, Tow Hooks: Race Car Tech Rules
Window net, master switch, tow hooks, battery hold-down — the four small parts that bounce cars at tech. What NASA and SCCA require, and what it costs to fix.
Jett Johnson·September 18, 2026
Getting Started
Fuel Cell vs. Stock Tank: What Racing Rules Require
Do you need a fuel cell in a race car? What SCCA and NASA actually require, why the stock tank is legal in most club classes, the 5-year rule, and real costs.
Jett Johnson·September 17, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Pitch a Brand That's Never Sponsored Anyone
A brand with no sponsorship history is not a lost cause. How to pitch a first-time sponsor, why they freeze, and how to build a first deal they can say yes to.
Jett Johnson·September 17, 2026
Parents
Your Kid's First Kart Race: A Parent's Day Plan
What to expect at your kid's first kart race: the real schedule, tech and scales, rookie grid rules, and the one mistake parents make before the green flag.
Jett Johnson·September 17, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Host a Sponsor at the Track (A Real Day Plan)
Hosting a sponsor at a race track? Here's the email to send a week out, the two-hour day plan, the access rules nobody warns you about, and the follow-up.
Jett Johnson·September 16, 2026
Sponsorship
Every Sponsorship Asset on Your Car, Ranked S to F
We ranked every sponsorship asset on a grassroots race car from S tier to F. The decal on your hood is not the most valuable thing you are selling.
Jett Johnson·September 16, 2026
Getting Started
What Happens at a Drivers Meeting (and Why It's Mandatory)
What happens at a drivers meeting at a race weekend or track day: what gets covered, why attendance is mandatory, what missing it costs you, and how to use it.
Jett Johnson·September 16, 2026
Kart to Car
Quarter Midget to Spec Miata: What Actually Transfers
Aging out of quarter midgets? Here's the racecraft that transfers straight into a Spec Miata, the four things that don't, and how to bridge the gap early.
Jett Johnson·September 15, 2026
Getting Started
What Is a Racing Transponder and Why Do You Need One?
What is a racing transponder and why does every club require one? How it works, rent vs. buy prices, mounting rules, and the failures that erase lap times.
Jett Johnson·September 15, 2026
Parents
Your Racer Is 16. Who Actually Signs the Sponsorship?
A minor can't be bound to a contract. Here's who really signs a young racer's sponsorship, what the parent takes on, and how to build the signature page.
Jett Johnson·September 15, 2026
Getting Started
Do You Need Race Fuel? Pump Gas vs. Race Gas at the Track
Do you need race fuel for a track day or a club race? The honest answer, what the rulebooks allow, what it costs, and why Colorado pumps change the math.
Jett Johnson·September 14, 2026
Racing Costs
Spec Miata Crash Damage: What It Really Costs to Fix
Spec Miata crash damage isn't one number. Here's what a bent fender, a bent control arm, and a bent chassis each cost — plus how to build a crash fund.
Jett Johnson·September 14, 2026
Sponsorship
Who Owns the Photo of Your Race Car?
That trackside shot you posted probably isn't yours to hand a sponsor. Here's who owns your race car photos, and how to get rights you can pass along.
Jett Johnson·September 14, 2026
Getting Started
Can You Bring Family to a Track Day? The Real Rules
Can you bring family to a track day? Usually yes, and usually free. Here's what waivers they sign, where kids can go, and who can ride along.
Jett Johnson·September 13, 2026
Sponsorship
A Sponsor's Marketing Calendar (and Where Your Season Fits)
Your race season runs on a schedule. So does their marketing calendar. Here's how a sponsor's year is actually built, and how to slot your dates into it.
Jett Johnson·September 13, 2026
Getting Started
What to Expect at Your First Wheel-to-Wheel Race
What to expect at your first wheel-to-wheel race — the rookie R on your car, where you'll grid, how the start feels, and what actually counts as a good result.
Jett Johnson·September 13, 2026
Getting Started
Do You Need a Fire Extinguisher for a Track Day?
Most track days only recommend a fire extinguisher. Racing requires a real system. Here's what NASA and SCCA mandate, what it costs, and how to mount it.
Jett Johnson·September 12, 2026
Getting Started
How to Choose a Race Car Number (And Actually Keep It)
Picking a race car number is part rules, part paperwork. Here's how numbers get assigned in NASA and SCCA, and how to lock one in and hold it for years.
Jett Johnson·September 12, 2026
Sponsorship
Only 3 Races This Year? Here's How to Pitch Sponsors
A three-race season isn't a discount. Here's how to package, price, and pitch racing sponsors when your calendar is short and your budget is real.
Jett Johnson·September 12, 2026
Sponsorship
Your Racing Sponsor Just Went Out of Business. Now What?
Your racing sponsor went under mid-season. Here's the 72-hour playbook: what you're owed, what you'll actually collect, and how to refill the budget fast.
Jett Johnson·September 11, 2026
Getting Started
What Happens When You Get Black-Flagged at the Track
Black-flagged at a track day or club race? Here is exactly what to do, where to report, what the official will ask you, and what the penalty usually is.
Jett Johnson·September 11, 2026
Sponsorship
The 5 Words That Kill a Racing Sponsorship Pitch
Five words show up in almost every racing sponsorship pitch, and each one quietly tells a brand you're asking for charity. Here's what to say instead.
Jett Johnson·September 11, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Hand Off a Sponsorship When You Step Up a Class
Stepping up a class? You can't legally hand your racing sponsorship to your teammate. Here's the three-way handoff that keeps the deal alive and your name good.
Jett Johnson·September 10, 2026
Getting Started
What Is a Race Car Logbook and How Do You Get One?
A race car logbook is the car's license. Here's what's inside one, how to get a logbook for your car, who writes in it, and what to do if you lose it.
Jett Johnson·September 10, 2026
Behind the Scenes
What Spec Miata Teaches You That Other Classes Don't
Spec Miata is the most-raced road racing car in the world. Here are the four driver skills the class forces you to build that horsepower lets you skip.
Jett Johnson·September 10, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Build a Racing Resume When You've Never Raced
Building a racing resume with no results yet? Here's what goes on page one when your results section is empty — and what sponsors actually read instead.
Jett Johnson·September 9, 2026
Sponsorship
Your Sponsor Wants a Say in Which Races You Enter
A sponsor steering your race schedule isn't automatically a red flag. Here's what's fair to commit to, and the schedule clause that survives a broken car.
Jett Johnson·September 9, 2026
Parents
What Age Can a Kid Start Racing Cars? Real Minimums
What age can a kid start racing cars? Real minimum ages for karting, quarter midgets, Legends, SCCA, NASA, and track days — and what actually matters.
Jett Johnson·September 9, 2026
Racing Costs
Club Race Entry Fee: What Your $500 Actually Buys
A club race entry fee runs roughly $400 to $600 in 2026. Here's the honest line-by-line of what it buys, what it never covers, and how to pay less.
Jett Johnson·September 8, 2026
Sponsorship
A Sponsor Asked for Your Numbers. You Don't Have Any.
A brand asked for your reach and you've got 300 followers. Here's exactly what to send instead — five assets that beat a follower count, and how to price them.
Jett Johnson·September 8, 2026
Kart to Car
What Makes a Driver Development Program Actually Work
A driver development program should be more than seat time. Here are the five things a real one does, plus the questions to ask before you pay for one.
Jett Johnson·September 8, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Get Local News Coverage as a Grassroots Racer
Local news coverage is free proof for sponsors. Here's how grassroots racers find the right reporter, pitch a story that runs, and use the clip afterward.
Jett Johnson·September 7, 2026
Driver Development
Racing in the Rain: How to Find Grip on a Wet Track
Rain changes where the grip lives on a race track. Here's how to find the wet line, adjust your inputs, set tire pressures, and see out of the car.
Jett Johnson·September 7, 2026
Sponsorship
Who Owns the Sponsorship When You Rent the Seat?
You landed a sponsor but you don't own the car. Here's who controls the hood, the helmet and your socials in an arrive-and-drive deal, and how to split it.
Jett Johnson·September 7, 2026
Sponsorship
Your Sponsor Wants to Approve Your Posts First
A sponsor asking to approve your social posts isn't a red flag — it's a workflow problem. Here's the content-approval setup that keeps you fast and paid.
Jett Johnson·September 6, 2026
Getting Started
Towing to the Track in Colorado: Passes, Altitude, Grades
Towing to the track in Colorado means real grades and altitude. How to run Monument Hill, descend safely, and handle plains crosswind on the way to HPR and Pueblo.
Jett Johnson·September 6, 2026
Sponsorship
What to Do When You Crash a Sponsor's Car
Crashed a car with a sponsor's logo on it? Here's exactly what to say, when to say it, and how to keep the relationship — from someone who's had the tough call.
Jett Johnson·September 6, 2026
Driver Development
How Hot Does a Race Car Get? Real Cockpit Temperatures
How hot does a race car get? Real cockpit numbers, what heat does to your lap times and decision making, and what actually cools a driver down.
Jett Johnson·September 2, 2026
Racing Costs
What Spec Miata Tires Actually Cost Per Race Weekend
The honest Spec Miata tire cost per weekend: 2026 Hoosier RCES pricing, how long a set really lasts, scrub-tire math, and the contingency that pays it back.
Jett Johnson·September 2, 2026
Sponsorship
Sponsor Asked for a Discount? Cut Scope, Not Price
When a sponsor asks for a discount, dropping your racing sponsorship price is the worst answer. Here's the scope-cut play that saves the deal and your rate.
Jett Johnson·September 2, 2026
Getting Started
Best Brake Pads for Track Days: How to Pick a Compound
The best brake pads for track days aren't the most aggressive ones. Here's how compound temperature ranges work, what to run, and when to swap them out.
Jett Johnson·September 1, 2026
Sponsorship
The Sponsorship Dead Months: What to Build Before January
Racing's off-season feels dead for sponsorship. It isn't. Here are five things to build between your last checkered flag and January, so your pitch is ready.
Jett Johnson·September 1, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Track Sponsor Conversations in a Spreadsheet
A racing sponsor tracker beats memory every time. The eight columns to build, the one rule that makes it work, and the ten-minute weekly routine that runs it.
Jett Johnson·September 1, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Add a Teammate's Car Without Splitting Your Deal
Your teammate needs a sponsor and yours has budget. Here's how to get a brand onto a second race car without cutting your own sponsorship deal in half.
Jett Johnson·August 31, 2026
Getting Started
Can You Track Your Daily Driver? What It Costs the Car
Can you track your daily driver? Yes, and most HPDE grids are full of them. Here's what a track day really does to a street car and what to check first.
Jett Johnson·August 31, 2026
Racing Costs
What a Spec Miata Engine Rebuild Actually Costs
The real Spec Miata engine rebuild cost: what a built engine is published at, what a DIY refresh actually saves, and when it's cheaper to not own the engine.
Jett Johnson·August 31, 2026
Getting Started
HPDE Passing Rules: How the Point-By Actually Works
HPDE passing rules explained: how to give a point-by, which hand to use, when to lift, and the order of operations that keeps you from getting rear-ended.
Jett Johnson·August 30, 2026
Kart to Car
Karting to Pro Racing: The Honest 2026 Ladder Guide
The karting to pro racing pathway in 2026: every rung, the real scholarship money, what a season actually costs, and the honest gates nobody puts in the brochure.
Jett Johnson·August 30, 2026
Sponsorship
What a Sponsor Needs Before They'll Run Your Giveaway
A co-branded giveaway is the easiest sponsorship upgrade you can offer. Here's the legal, prize, and data checklist a sponsor's marketing team runs first.
Jett Johnson·August 30, 2026
Sim to Real
How to Use Sim Racing to Prep for a Real Race Weekend
Your club track probably isn't in iRacing. Here's how to use sim racing for real race weekend prep anyway, and the four jobs a sim actually does well.
Jett Johnson·August 29, 2026
Sponsorship
The Sponsor Meeting Where You Should Say No to the Money
A brand finally said yes. Here's how to spot the terms in a sponsor meeting that should stop you cold, and the exact words to buy yourself 48 hours.
Jett Johnson·August 29, 2026
Getting Started
When Does Racing Gear Expire? Helmets, Suits, Belts
Your racing helmet expiration date is only half the story. Here's when helmets, suits, belts, and head-and-neck restraints actually age out, and why.
Jett Johnson·August 29, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Get Your Sponsor to Introduce You to Their Suppliers
Your sponsor buys from a dozen companies, and some of them have unspent marketing money. Here's how to ask for the introduction without being weird about it.
Jett Johnson·August 28, 2026
Getting Started
Race Tech Inspection: What Scrutineers Actually Check
What does a race car tech inspection cover? Here's the real checklist scrutineers work from, what fails most often, and how to pass on the first try.
Jett Johnson·August 28, 2026
Behind the Scenes
The Race Weekend Warm-Up Routine That Makes You Faster
A race weekend warm-up routine that has you sharp on lap one: what to do the night before, in the 90 minutes before grid, and between sessions.
Jett Johnson·August 28, 2026
Getting Started
Horsepower Loss at Altitude: What 5,000 Feet Costs You
How much horsepower do you lose at altitude? Roughly 3% per 1,000 feet. Here's what that costs you at Colorado tracks, and what it doesn't change.
Jett Johnson·August 27, 2026
Sponsorship
Why "Just Get Sponsored" Is Bad Advice for Beginners
"Just get sponsored" is the worst sponsorship advice for beginners. Here's why brands say no to first-year racers, and what to build before you pitch.
Jett Johnson·August 27, 2026
Sponsorship
Your Season Fell Apart. Do You Owe the Sponsor a Refund?
Your car broke and the season died. Does your racing sponsor get a refund? What contracts actually require, plus the make-good that saves the deal.
Jett Johnson·August 27, 2026
Racing Costs
What Racing Insurance Actually Covers (And What Doesn't)
Racing insurance is not track day insurance. What your NASA or SCCA membership actually covers, what nothing covers, and how to close the gap before you race.
Jett Johnson·August 26, 2026
Sponsorship
The First 7 Days After a Sponsor Says Yes
A sponsor signed. Now what? The 7-day onboarding week most racers skip: deliverable ledger, asset swap, kickoff call, decal plan, and the first report date.
Jett Johnson·August 26, 2026
Behind the Scenes
What Does a Race Engineer Do on a Race Weekend?
What does a race engineer do? Here's the real job, session by session, from setup sheets to debriefs, and who actually does it in club racing.
Jett Johnson·August 26, 2026
Kart to Car
How to Pick a Racing Coach Who Actually Makes You Faster
A racing coach costs $500 to $1,000 a day. Here's how to vet a driver coach before you pay — the questions to ask and the red flags worth walking away from.
Jett Johnson·August 25, 2026
Sponsorship
Never Sign a 3-Year Sponsor Deal at Year-One Prices
A multi-year racing sponsorship is worth more than three single seasons — if you price it right. Escalators, discounts, and the terms that protect you.
Jett Johnson·August 25, 2026
Getting Started
Renting vs. Buying Racing Gear for Your First Season
Renting vs. buying racing gear: what you can actually rent, real 2026 prices, and the breakeven math on helmets, suits, and head-and-neck restraints.
Jett Johnson·August 25, 2026
Driver Development
Cold Tires vs. Warm Tires: Why Your First Lap Is Slow
Cold tires cost you grip, lap time, and sometimes the car. Here's how long tires take to warm up, what else starts cold, and how to run a smart out lap.
Jett Johnson·August 24, 2026
Behind the Scenes
How to Run a Race Team on Less Than 5 Hours a Week
Time management for racers with a job or school. The honest weekly system we use to run a race program in under five hours between race weekends.
Jett Johnson·August 24, 2026
Sponsorship
Your Sponsor Contact Just Left. Don't Lose the Deal.
The person who signed your racing sponsorship quit. Here's the 7-day playbook to win over whoever inherited your file before the deal quietly dies.
Jett Johnson·August 24, 2026
Getting Started
How to Watch an SCCA or NASA Race Weekend in Person
Want to watch an SCCA or NASA club race in person? Admission is usually free. Here's when to show up, where to stand, and what to bring to the track.
Jett Johnson·August 23, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Why Your Racing Helmet Is Your Real Personal Brand
Your racing helmet is your personal brand — the one asset that follows you car to car. What the Snell sticker says, how to design it, what sponsors see.
Jett Johnson·August 23, 2026
Sponsorship
What a Sponsor's Legal Team Checks Before Your Deal Clears
Your sponsor said yes. Then legal and procurement got the file. Here's the four-part review your racing sponsorship has to clear, and how to pass it fast.
Jett Johnson·August 23, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Pitch a Brand That Already Sponsors Your Rival
A brand already backs someone in your class. That's not a closed door — it's proof they buy. Here's how to pitch a sponsor who sponsors your competition.
Jett Johnson·August 22, 2026
Getting Started
Track Day Sound Limits: How to Pass the Noise Check
Track day sound limits explained: what tracks actually measure, real dB numbers from High Plains Raceway and Laguna Seca, and how to quiet a car enough to pass.
Jett Johnson·August 22, 2026
Sponsorship
What Happens After You Send Your First Sponsor Email
You sent your first sponsor email. Here's what actually happens next — the four replies you'll get, what each one means, and what to do while you wait.
Jett Johnson·August 22, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Invoice a Racing Sponsor and Actually Get Paid
You landed the sponsor. Now get the money. How to invoice a racing sponsor, the paperwork that unblocks the check, and the terms that get you paid on time.
Jett Johnson·August 21, 2026
Sponsorship
The Real Way to Use LinkedIn to Land a Racing Sponsor
LinkedIn is a research tool first and a pitch tool second. Here's the step-by-step way to find the right person, connect, and land a racing sponsor.
Jett Johnson·August 21, 2026
Getting Started
What Happens If You Crash at a Track Day? Honest Answer
What actually happens if you crash at a track day: the on-track procedure, who pays for your car and the track, tow costs, and whether you get sent home.
Jett Johnson·August 21, 2026
Getting Started
Autocross vs. HPDE vs. Racing: Where Should You Start?
Autocross vs. HPDE vs. wheel-to-wheel racing: what each costs, what it teaches, and which one you should actually do first. Real Colorado numbers.
Jett Johnson·August 20, 2026
Behind the Scenes
How to Find a Racing Mentor (And Why You Need One)
A racing mentor saves you years of expensive guessing. Here's where to actually find one in grassroots motorsport, how to ask, and what you owe them back.
Jett Johnson·August 20, 2026
Sponsorship
Sponsor Churn Autopsy: Why a Partner Doesn't Come Back
Sponsor churn almost never starts at the renewal email. Here's the autopsy — four real causes a racing partner walks away, and how to win one back.
Jett Johnson·August 20, 2026
Sponsorship
Changing Cars Mid-Season Without Losing Your Sponsor
Blown motor, new class, new series — your season changed and a sponsor already paid. Here's the email to send, the make-good to offer, and the clause to add.
Jett Johnson·August 19, 2026
Driver Development
Racing Data Logging for Beginners: What the Numbers Mean
Racing data logging for beginners — what a lap timer really records, which numbers to read first, and how to turn a speed trace into actual lap time.
Jett Johnson·August 19, 2026
Parents
Racing Waivers and Contracts: What Parents Must Know
Racing waivers and contracts for parents: what a minor waiver actually requires, what Colorado law lets you sign away, and what to check before you sign.
Jett Johnson·August 19, 2026
Racing Costs
The 5 Essential Race Team Tools (Even If You Race Solo)
The essential race team tools a solo racer actually needs: five buys that keep your wheels on, your tire pressures honest, and your weekend from ending early.
Jett Johnson·August 18, 2026
Getting Started
How to Get Your Race Car to the Track: Trailer or Tow
How to get your race car to the track — open trailer, enclosed, rental, or drive it there. Real weights, honest costs, and what Colorado towing law requires.
Jett Johnson·August 18, 2026
Sponsorship
A Sponsor Wants Exclusivity. Here's What to Charge.
Sponsorship exclusivity sounds like a compliment until it quietly kills four other deals. Here's how to scope the category, price the premium, and counter.
Jett Johnson·August 18, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Run a Sponsorship Call That Actually Converts
Most racers pitch on the first sponsorship call and lose the deal. Here's the agenda, the questions, and the close that make a sponsorship call convert.
Jett Johnson·August 13, 2026
Getting Started
Racing Flags Explained: A Beginner's Track Day Guide
Racing flags explained for beginners — every flag you'll see at an HPDE or club race, what each one means, and the three that new drivers get wrong.
Jett Johnson·August 13, 2026
Sponsorship
Your Second Racing Sponsor Is Easier Than Your First
The first racing sponsor is the brutal one. Here's the compounding math on why the second is easier — and how to make sponsor number one pay for it.
Jett Johnson·August 13, 2026
Getting Started
Do You Need a Roll Cage for a Track Day? The Real Rules
Do you need a roll cage for a track day? Usually not. Here are the real HPDE, convertible, and wheel-to-wheel rules, and what a cage actually costs.
Jett Johnson·August 12, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Write a Race Recap Sponsors Will Actually Share
Your sponsor shouldn't learn how the weekend went from Instagram. Here's how to write a race recap for sponsors: the format, the timing, and the photos.
Jett Johnson·August 12, 2026
Sponsorship
What to Send a Sponsor Mid-Season So They Renew
Most sponsors hear from a racer twice: at signing and at renewal. Here are five things to send a sponsor mid-season so renewal happens without asking.
Jett Johnson·August 12, 2026
Track Guides
The 3 Colorado Race Tracks Every New Driver Should Run
Colorado has three road courses, and one closes after 2026. Here's what High Plains, Pueblo, and PPIR each teach a new driver, and the order to run them.
Jett Johnson·August 11, 2026
Sponsorship
The One-Page Sponsorship Agreement Every Racer Needs
Handshake sponsor deals fall apart mid-season. Here's the one-page sponsorship agreement that protects a racer — seven plain-English terms, no lawyer-speak.
Jett Johnson·August 11, 2026
Driver Development
Track Day Beginner Mistakes That Cost Time and Money
The track day beginner mistakes that quietly cost you lap time and money — and the fix for each, from boiling brake fluid to where your eyes are pointed.
Jett Johnson·August 11, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Get Your First Racing Sponsor (30-Day Plan)
A realistic 30-day plan to land your first racing sponsor: build the list, write the one-pager, send the emails, and know what day 30 should look like.
Jett Johnson·August 10, 2026
Sponsorship
6 Slides to Delete From Your Sponsorship Deck
Most decks lose the room on slides that never should have existed. Here are six slides to delete from your sponsorship deck, and what to put in their place.
Jett Johnson·August 10, 2026
Kart to Car
Teen Mazda Challenge Explained: Should Your Kid Do It?
Teen Mazda Challenge explained for parents: how NASA's young-driver Spec Miata program works, who qualifies, what it really costs, and who it's right for.
Jett Johnson·August 10, 2026
Getting Started
How to Get Free Track Time (Without Begging for It)
Free track time is real, but it's a trade, not a favor. Here's how corner working, instructing, and a few cheap workarounds get you seat time on no budget.
Jett Johnson·August 9, 2026
Racing Costs
How Do Amateur Racers Afford It? The Honest Answer
How do amateur racers afford it? Real season numbers, the five ways grassroots drivers actually pay for racing, and what a Colorado season costs.
Jett Johnson·August 9, 2026
Sponsorship
What a Race Team Delivers for $2,500 (Line by Line)
A $2,500 racing sponsorship, itemized. Every deliverable a grassroots race team can actually hand a brand, what it replaces, and how to package it.
Jett Johnson·August 9, 2026
Track Guides
Pueblo Motorsports Park: What to Know Before You Run It
A Pueblo Motorsports Park track guide: the 2.2-mile, 10-turn layout, open lapping costs, gate rules, altitude, and what catches first-timers out.
Jett Johnson·August 8, 2026
Parents
Questions Every Racing Parent Should Ask a Race Team
The questions parents should ask a racing team before signing anything: who coaches, who pays for damage, what gets billed later, and how they handle a bad day.
Jett Johnson·August 8, 2026
Sponsorship
We Ranked Every Sponsor Objection (and the Comeback)
Six sponsor objections ranked from deal-still-alive to let-it-go, with the exact comeback line for each one. Most of the nos you get are really just timing.
Jett Johnson·August 8, 2026
Getting Started
Best First Race Car: What Actually Matters When You Buy
The best first race car isn't the fastest or the cheapest one. It's the class with cars on your local grid. Here's how to choose, with real numbers.
Jett Johnson·August 7, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Racing Driver Fitness at Home: The No-Gym Plan
Racing driver fitness at home, no gym required. What the research says your neck, core, and heat tolerance really need, plus a weekly plan that costs nothing.
Jett Johnson·August 7, 2026
Sponsorship
The 3 Numbers Sponsors Want Before Your Lap Times
Sponsors ask for three numbers before they ever ask how fast you are. Here's what they are, where to find yours, and why your lap times come fourth.
Jett Johnson·August 7, 2026
Sponsorship
Cold DM vs Cold Email: Sponsor Outreach Tier List
Cold DM or cold email? We ranked every way to make first contact with a racing sponsor, S through F, using 2026 response-rate data. The winner isn't a channel.
Jett Johnson·August 6, 2026
Track Guides
High Plains Raceway: A Track Guide for First-Timers
A High Plains Raceway track guide for first-timers — the 2.55-mile layout, real lapping day costs, altitude and wind, and what catches new drivers out.
Jett Johnson·August 6, 2026
Racing Costs
How Much Does a Racing License Cost? (Real Numbers)
The real racing license cost for NASA and SCCA in 2026 — club fees, school tuition, medicals, and the seat time nobody puts on the checklist.
Jett Johnson·August 6, 2026
Getting Started
Track Day Gear Checklist: What You Actually Need
A no-fluff gear and packing checklist for your first HPDE track day. What you must have, what's nice to have, and what you can skip until later.
Jett Johnson·August 3, 2026
Sponsorship
One-Pager vs Full Deck: Which Lands the Sponsor?
Should you send a sponsor a one-pager or a full pitch deck? We ranked both head-to-head with real reply-rate data. The winner isn't the one you'd guess.
Jett Johnson·August 3, 2026
Behind the Scenes
What to Pack for a Race Weekend: The Complete Checklist
The complete race weekend packing list — every tool, spare, fluid, and gear item you actually need at the track, sorted by what you'll grab first.
Jett Johnson·August 3, 2026
Getting Started
HPDE Run Groups Explained: Novice to Advanced
HPDE run groups explained simply — what HPDE1 through HPDE4 mean, the passing rules for each, and exactly how you earn your way up the ladder.
Jett Johnson·August 2, 2026
Sponsorship
The 6-Word Subject Line Rule for Sponsor Pitches
Your sponsorship pitch gets opened or deleted before a single word of the body is read. Here's the subject-line rule that decides it, backed by 2026 data.
Jett Johnson·August 2, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Club Racing vs Pro Racing: The Real Difference
Club racing and pro racing look the same on TV. They're not. Here's the honest breakdown of who pays, who gets paid, and which one you actually start in.
Jett Johnson·August 1, 2026
Racing Costs
Is Spec Miata Worth It? An Honest Look at the Class
Is Spec Miata worth it? An honest 2026 breakdown of the pros, the real costs, the downsides nobody mentions, and who this class is actually for.
Jett Johnson·August 1, 2026
Sponsorship
What a Race Team's Sponsorship Is Actually Worth ($)
We ran the real numbers on what an LFR sponsorship is worth in dollars — and the CPM math any racer can use to price their own deal. No guessing.
Jett Johnson·August 1, 2026
Getting Started
How to Get Your Racing License (SCCA and NASA, Step by Step)
The real steps to earn a competition license with NASA or SCCA in 2026 — schools, physicals, novice permits, and how long it actually takes.
Jett Johnson·July 31, 2026
Sponsorship
3 Race Weekend Mistakes That Lose Drivers Sponsors
Sponsors don't leave because you finished mid-pack. They leave because of three things you do (or forget to do) at the race track. Here's how to fix them.
Jett Johnson·July 31, 2026
Sponsorship
What Sponsors Really Do With the Check After They Sign You
Most brands can't even measure their own sponsorships. Here's what happens after the check clears — and why the racer who reports gets renewed.
Jett Johnson·July 31, 2026
Racing Costs
Arrive and Drive vs. Owning a Race Car: The Honest Math
Should you rent or buy your race car? Here's the real 2026 math on arrive and drive vs. owning a Spec Miata, upfront costs, and which one fits you.
Jett Johnson·July 30, 2026
Parents
What Karting Parents Wish They'd Known in Year One
A karting parent guide from people who've been at the track. The real costs, the coaching trap, and the seven things every first-year karting parent gets wrong.
Jett Johnson·July 30, 2026
Sponsorship
What a Sponsor Googles Before They Ever Reply to You
Before a brand answers your racing pitch, they research you. Here's exactly what they look for — and how to make sure the search works in your favor.
Jett Johnson·July 30, 2026
Sponsorship
What a $50K Grant App Taught Us About Pitching Anyone
Winning a $50,000 grant forced us to learn how funders actually decide. The same five moves land sponsors, bosses, and investors — steal them here.
Jett Johnson·July 29, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Build a Driver Profile That Gets You Noticed
A racing driver bio template that gets you noticed by sponsors and teams. What to include, how long it should be, and the lines that get you deleted.
Jett Johnson·July 29, 2026
Getting Started
Getting Started in Road Racing in Colorado: Where to Begin
A beginner's guide to road racing in Colorado — HPR, Pueblo, and PPIR, plus the real HPDE-to-license path and honest costs to get you on track.
Jett Johnson·July 29, 2026
Sponsorship
Every Sponsor 'No' Follows the Same 5 Patterns
A sponsor 'no' isn't random. Rejected racing pitches almost always break the same five ways — here's the pattern, and how to stop landing in it.
Jett Johnson·July 28, 2026
Sim to Real
Sim Racing Tools That Actually Translate to the Track
Which sim racing tools actually make you faster in a real race car? Here's what transfers, what's wasted money, and how to train on a sim like a pro.
Jett Johnson·July 28, 2026
Kart to Car
Spec Miata vs. Formula 4: Which Path for a Young Driver?
Spec Miata vs Formula 4 for a young driver — real 2026 costs, what each teaches, and how to choose the path that fits your goals and budget.
Jett Johnson·July 28, 2026
Kart to Car
The First Five Things to Buy When You Start Racing
New to racing and not sure where your money should go first? Here are the five things to buy in order, with real 2026 prices, so you don't waste a dime.
Jett Johnson·July 27, 2026
Sponsorship
5 Free Sponsorship Templates That Cost You Deals
The free sponsorship templates floating around the internet are quietly killing your response rate. Here are 5 that cost racers deals — and the fix.
Jett Johnson·July 27, 2026
Kart to Car
Karting to Cars: A Complete Guide for Parents (13-16)
Your kid wants to go from karts to real race cars. Here's the honest guide for parents: the right age, the skills that transfer, the costs, and where to start.
Jett Johnson·July 27, 2026
Sponsorship
What a Coffee Shop Teaches You About Sponsorship
Your local coffee shop survives on repeat customers, not new ones. That same idea should run your racing sponsorship strategy. Here's how it works.
Jett Johnson·July 26, 2026
Sponsorship
The One Slide That Makes or Breaks Your Sponsor Deck
Most racing sponsorship decks die on one slide. Here's the make-or-break slide, why it kills deals, and how to build the version that gets a yes.
Jett Johnson·July 26, 2026
Getting Started
What to Expect at Your First HPDE: A Full Walkthrough
A minute-by-minute walkthrough of your first HPDE, from paddock check-in to your last session. What happens, when, and how to not feel lost your first day on track.
Jett Johnson·July 26, 2026
Sponsorship
Best Months to Pitch Racing Sponsors (Ranked S to F)
The month you send your sponsorship pitch matters more than the pitch itself. Here's every month ranked S to F, based on how companies actually plan budgets.
Jett Johnson·July 25, 2026
Parents
How to Convince Your Parents to Let You Race
Want to race but your parents keep saying no? Here's how to answer the safety, money, and school worries — with real numbers, not just begging.
Jett Johnson·July 25, 2026
Racing Costs
How Much Does a Track Day Cost? Real 2026 Numbers
A track day costs more than the registration fee. Here's the honest 2026 breakdown — entry, tires, brakes, fuel, and the hidden costs, with real Colorado numbers.
Jett Johnson·July 25, 2026
Sponsorship
Local Business vs Big Brand: Easier First Sponsor?
Chasing a national brand for your first racing sponsor? A local business is almost always the easier yes. Here's why — and how to land one this week.
Jett Johnson·July 24, 2026
Sponsorship
The Racing Sponsorship Pitch Deck That Actually Works
A slide-by-slide racing sponsorship pitch deck template for the live meeting — what each slide does, what order, and the numbers behind why it works.
Jett Johnson·July 24, 2026
Getting Started
Do You Need Track Day Insurance? Cost and Coverage
What track day insurance covers, what it costs per event, and whether you actually need it for an HPDE. Honest 2026 numbers, no sales pitch.
Jett Johnson·July 24, 2026
Racing Costs
What Arrive-and-Drive Racing Actually Costs in 2026
No car, no trailer, no wrenching. Here's what an arrive-and-drive race weekend really costs in 2026, what's included, and the fees nobody warns you about.
Jett Johnson·July 23, 2026
Behind the Scenes
The Post-Race Debrief That Actually Makes You Faster
Most drivers skip the debrief and lose the biggest free gains of the weekend. Here's the simple post-race debrief we run to get faster, session by session.
Jett Johnson·July 23, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Spec Miata Qualifying Strategy: The Lap You Can't Waste
Spec Miata qualifying is a traffic and tow game. Here's how to warm your tires, find a clear lap, use the draft, and get your grid spot without wasting the session.
Jett Johnson·July 22, 2026
Partners
Why We Said Yes to the Sponsors We Have
A race team's honest look at why we chose the sponsors we chose — and what 'sponsor fit' actually means when you're the one signing the deal.
Jett Johnson·July 22, 2026
Behind the Scenes
How to Read Tire Temps Like a Real Race Engineer
Learn to read race tire temps like an engineer: inner-middle-outer readings, what they say about camber, pressure, and car balance, and how to act on them.
Jett Johnson·July 21, 2026
Sponsorship
Why Saying No to Bad Sponsors Gets You Better Ones
Turning down the wrong racing sponsor isn't leaving money on the table. Here's why rejecting bad sponsors actually lands you better deals down the road.
Jett Johnson·July 21, 2026
Racing Costs
Buying a Used Race Car? Spot the Hidden Problems First
A buyer's checklist for a used race car. Catch a tampered logbook, hidden crash damage, expired belts, and a tired motor before you hand over a check.
Jett Johnson·July 13, 2026
Parents
The Karting-to-Cars Money Cliff Nobody Warns Parents
Your kid's karting season costs one thing. The jump to cars costs another entirely. Here are the real 2026 numbers — and how to stop the cliff from ending the dream.
Jett Johnson·July 13, 2026
Kart to Car
Why a Coach Pays for Themselves in Two Race Weekends
A racing driver coach costs $500 to $1,000 a day. Here's the honest math on why that's cheaper than the mistakes you'll make racing without one.
Jett Johnson·July 13, 2026
Sim to Real
What Sim Racers Get Wrong About Real Car Setup
Sim racing vs real racing setup differences aren't what you think. Here's why the numbers don't transfer, and what actually changes when you go from screen to seat.
Jett Johnson·July 12, 2026
Sponsorship
Tier List: Every Way to Fund Your Racing, Ranked
Sponsors, grants, contingency, crowdfunding, arrive-and-drive — we ranked every way to pay for racing from S-tier to F-tier. Here's what actually works.
Jett Johnson·July 12, 2026
Sponsorship
The Proposal Mistake That Costs Racers a $5,000 Deal
One line in your sponsorship proposal decides whether a brand reads it or deletes it. Here's the mistake quietly costing racers real money — and the fix.
Jett Johnson·July 11, 2026
Kart to Car
Race Team vs. Going Solo: The Honest Pros and Cons
Should you join a race team or run your own program? A real cost-and-effort breakdown to help you pick the path that fits your budget and goals.
Jett Johnson·July 11, 2026
Sponsorship
Why Instagram Matters More Than Lap Times to Sponsors
Sponsors barely look at your race results. Here's why your Instagram following and engagement matter more, and what actually moves a brand to say yes.
Jett Johnson·July 10, 2026
Sponsorship
What 2026's Biggest Grassroots Sponsors Have in Common
We looked at the brands actually backing grassroots racers in 2026. They share 5 traits. Here's the pattern — and the list of who to pitch.
Jett Johnson·July 10, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Negotiate Sponsorship Renewals Like a Pro
Renewing a racing sponsor is easier than landing one — if you start early and prove your value. Here's how to negotiate a renewal the right way.
Jett Johnson·July 9, 2026
Sponsorship
Most Sponsorship Gurus Have Never Landed a Real Deal
A lot of racing sponsorship advice comes from people who've never signed a deal. Here's how to spot the fakes and where to get advice that actually works.
Jett Johnson·July 9, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Write a Sponsorship Follow-Up Email (No Desperation)
A sponsorship follow-up email is where most racers lose the deal. Here's how to follow up so brands reply — without sounding needy or pushy.
Jett Johnson·July 8, 2026
Sponsorship
What Makes a Racing Media Kit Actually Get a Reply
We dug into the data behind sponsorship media kits and cold outreach. Here's the pattern that separates the kits that get a reply from the ones that get deleted.
Jett Johnson·July 8, 2026
Sponsorship
Product vs. Cash Sponsorship: The Truth About "Free"
Product sponsorship isn't the same as cash for racers. Here's what free product deals really cost, what they're worth, and when to chase them.
Jett Johnson·July 7, 2026
Racing Costs
A Spec Miata Season Costs This Much. Here's Who Pays.
Our real 2026 Spec Miata season budget, line by line — then the exact kinds of companies that cover a chunk of it, and how to find them fast.
Jett Johnson·July 7, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Spec Miata Tire Pressures: The Math We Actually Run
How to set Spec Miata tire pressures the right way: cold vs hot targets, the pressure-growth math, and how weather changes what you should run this weekend.
Jett Johnson·July 1, 2026
Sponsorship
5 Sponsorship Mistakes Quietly Killing Your Chances
These 5 sponsorship mistakes get grassroots racers rejected before a brand finishes reading. Here's what's costing you deals — and how to fix each one.
Jett Johnson·July 1, 2026
Racing Costs
The Hidden Costs of Owning a Race Car Nobody Warns You About
The sticker price is the cheap part. Here are the hidden costs of owning a race car — consumables, rebuilds, and fees that sneak up on every new racer.
Jett Johnson·June 30, 2026
Sponsorship
How We Won a $50,000 Grant as a Small Race Team
The whole story of how LeadFoot Racing won a $50,000 grant against real businesses — and the exact pitch lessons you can steal for sponsors.
Jett Johnson·June 30, 2026
Sponsorship
The 3-Email Sequence That Got Us in the Room
The exact 3-email sponsorship sequence we used to get a national brand to reply — and why most racers quit before sending email two.
Jett Johnson·June 29, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Racing Brake Fluid Explained: Why Stock Won't Survive
Stock brake fluid boils on a race track. Here's how high-temp racing brake fluid works, what the numbers mean, and how to bleed it yourself before your weekend.
Jett Johnson·June 29, 2026
Sponsorship
Endemic vs Non-Endemic Sponsors: Who Actually Pays More?
The famous racing sponsors pay you in product, not cash. Here's the honest showdown between endemic and non-endemic sponsors — and who writes real checks.
Jett Johnson·June 28, 2026
Behind the Scenes
How to Use a GoPro to Improve Your Driving
A GoPro is the cheapest coach you'll ever buy. Here's how to mount it, set it up, and actually review the footage to find lap time.
Jett Johnson·June 28, 2026
Behind the Scenes
The Truth About Track Walks: What to Look For
A track walk isn't a stroll. Here's exactly what to look for on foot — grip, curbs, camber, elevation, reference points — so you're faster lap one.
Jett Johnson·June 27, 2026
Sponsorship
Free to $497: Which Sponsorship Help Is Right for You?
We sell sponsorship help from free up to $497. Here's an honest breakdown of which one is actually right for you — so you don't overpay or underbuy.
Jett Johnson·June 27, 2026
Sponsorship
What a Sponsorship Activation Looks Like at the Track
A logo on a car is step one. Here's what a real sponsorship activation looks like at a grassroots race track — and why the cheap ones often win.
Jett Johnson·June 26, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Why Most New Drivers Are Slow in Turn 1 (And How to Fix It)
New drivers lose more time and positions in Turn 1 than anywhere else on track. Here's why it happens and the exact fixes to carry more speed and stay clean.
Jett Johnson·June 26, 2026
Sponsorship
What Do Brands Actually Get From Sponsoring a Race Team?
A logo on a car isn't the deal. Here's what a brand really gets from sponsoring a grassroots race team — and the numbers that decide if it pays off.
Jett Johnson·June 25, 2026
Behind the Scenes
What Is Wheel-to-Wheel Racing? (vs. Track Days)
Wheel-to-wheel racing and track days sound similar but they're not. Here's the real difference, what it takes to race for position, and how to get there.
Jett Johnson·June 25, 2026
Behind the Scenes
What R-Compound Tires Actually Are (And Why They Matter)
R-compound tires confuse a lot of new racers. Here's what they are, how they differ from street tires, and why they make your car feel like a different animal.
Jett Johnson·June 24, 2026
Sponsorship
Why Brands Ghost Racers After the First Email
That sponsor who went silent didn't reject you. Here's the real reason brands ghost racers after the first email — and the follow-up move that gets the reply.
Jett Johnson·June 24, 2026
Behind the Scenes
The HANS Device Explained: Why You Actually Need One
What a HANS device is, how it protects your head and neck, what it costs, and why NASA and SCCA require one before you can race wheel-to-wheel.
Jett Johnson·June 17, 2026
Sponsorship
Is It Worth Sponsoring a Local Racer? Let's Settle It
Should a small business actually sponsor a local racer? Here's the honest ROI case from the sponsor's side of the table — and a free way to make the ask.
Jett Johnson·June 17, 2026
Sponsorship
No, You Don't Need to Be Fast to Get Sponsored
Most racers think podiums unlock sponsorship. They don't. Here's the proof that brands buy your audience and your story, not your lap times — and what to do about it.
Jett Johnson·June 16, 2026
Sim to Real
Trail Braking Explained (Without the Engineering Degree)
Trail braking sounds scary and technical. It isn't. Here's how to blend braking and turning to rotate your car and carry more speed through corners.
Jett Johnson·June 16, 2026
Sponsorship
Sponsorship Pitch Tier List: Instant Delete to Signed
I ranked the most common racing sponsorship pitch tactics S to F. Some get you signed. Most get you deleted. Here's where each one actually lands.
Jett Johnson·June 15, 2026
Racing Costs
What to Look For in a Used Spec Miata: A Buyer's Guide
Buying a used Spec Miata? Here's how to read the logbook, check the engine, spot a hidden wreck, and tell a real deal from a money pit. From a team that runs them.
Jett Johnson·June 15, 2026
Sim to Real
First Track Day Tips: How to Survive It Without Wrecking
Your first track day, broken down step by step. What to bring, how tech inspection works, the passing rules, and how to come home with the car in one piece.
Jett Johnson·June 14, 2026
Sponsorship
9 Racing Sponsorship Emails: Why 7 Got Ignored
I lined up 9 real racing sponsorship emails — mine, ones sent to me, and public examples. Seven got ignored. Here's the exact pattern that killed them.
Jett Johnson·June 14, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Meet Ike: Building a Spec Miata From the Ground Up
A behind-the-scenes look at Ike, our new #19 NA Spec Miata — what really goes into a ground-up grassroots race car build, part by part.
Jett Johnson·June 5, 2026
Sponsorship
We Just Put All Our Sponsorship Help in One Place
We launched a sponsorship hub for grassroots racers — free templates and tools plus paid playbooks. Here's what's in it and where to start.
Jett Johnson·June 5, 2026
Parents
Karting Parents: What a Sponsor Actually Wants From Your Kid
A sponsor doesn't care about your kid's lap times. Here's what a local business actually wants from a karting program before they'll put money on it.
Jett Johnson·June 2, 2026
Sponsorship
27 Companies That Sponsor Grassroots Racers in 2026
Real companies that actually back grassroots and amateur racers in 2026 — named, sourced, and grouped by what they give you. No fluff.
Jett Johnson·June 1, 2026
Sponsorship
The Five Questions Every Sponsor Will Ask You
Walking into a sponsorship pitch meeting? Here are the five questions every sponsor will ask a racer — and exactly how to answer each one with confidence.
Jett Johnson·May 30, 2026
Kart to Car
Are Racing Schools Worth It Before You Buy a Car?
Are racing schools worth it before you buy your first race car? An honest breakdown of cost, what you actually learn, and the cheaper paths that work.
Jett Johnson·May 29, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Price Racing Sponsorship (Without Guessing)
Learn how to price racing sponsorship the right way. A grassroots racer's guide to valuing your assets, building tiers, and naming a number sponsors trust.
Jett Johnson·May 28, 2026
Behind the Scenes
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Started Racing
Honest starting road racing advice I wish someone gave me on day one. Seven things about cost, nerves, and the first season that nobody warns new racers about.
Jett Johnson·May 24, 2026
Kart to Car
Spec7 vs Spec Miata: Which Is the Right First Race Car?
Spec7 vs Spec Miata for your first race car: real costs, parts support, grid sizes, and the honest verdict on which one to buy in 2026.
Jett Johnson·May 22, 2026
Week in Review
Week in Review: Round 2 at Pueblo
Liam found real speed at Pueblo Round 2, Jett shook down a national-championship-ready car, Tomas captured 300GB of telemetry, and the newest LFR Miata is about to debut.
Jett Johnson·May 22, 2026
Sponsorship
Non-Endemic Sponsors vs Tire Companies: Which to Pitch First
Why non-endemic racing sponsors are easier to land than tire companies for grassroots racers — and the targeting move that gets more yeses.
Jett Johnson·May 21, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Build a Racing Sponsorship Media Kit Brands Read
A racing sponsorship media kit template that actually gets opened. Section-by-section walkthrough — what to include, what to cut, and why most decks get deleted.
Jett Johnson·May 21, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Spec Miata Race Weekend Schedule: An Hour-by-Hour Walkthrough
Curious what a real Spec Miata race weekend actually looks like? Here's the hour-by-hour breakdown from gate open to checkered flag, with no fluff.
Jett Johnson·May 21, 2026
Behind the Scenes
The First 10 Laps at a New Track: How to Get Up to Speed
Learning a new race track without crashing or wasting a weekend. Here's the lap-by-lap approach I use at every unfamiliar circuit, from out-lap to flow.
Jett Johnson·May 17, 2026
Kart to Car
Kart to Car: Why Most Drivers Wait Too Long to Move Up
Wondering when to move from karting to cars? Most young drivers wait too long and stall their career. Here's the honest readiness checklist and the path that works.
Jett Johnson·May 15, 2026
Sponsorship
The Three Things Every Sponsorship Email Should Do
Most racing sponsorship emails get deleted in under five seconds. Here are the three things every pitch must do — with real examples — to actually get a reply.
Jett Johnson·May 14, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Find Local Sponsors for Racing (Grassroots Guide)
Looking for local sponsors as a grassroots racer? Here's the targeted, hometown-first approach that actually works — and why cold-emailing Red Bull doesn't.
Jett Johnson·May 11, 2026
Sim to Real
Sim Racing to Real Racing: The Honest Bridge
Going from sim racing to real racing? Here's what actually transfers, what doesn't, and the cheapest honest path to your first real lap in a race car.
Jett Johnson·May 10, 2026
Racing Costs
How Much Does It Really Cost to Race Spec Miata for a Season?
An honest 2026 breakdown of Spec Miata racing costs. What owning a car costs per season, what an all-inclusive program runs, and the hidden fees most posts skip.
Jett Johnson·May 9, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Get Racing Sponsors: The Complete Guide for Grassroots Racers
Everything you need to know about finding, pitching, and landing sponsors for your racing program. No fluff, no theory — just what actually works.
Jett Johnson·April 13, 2026
Behind the Build
We Won $50,000. Here's What That Actually Means.
LeadFoot Racing became the inaugural winner of the Spark the Springs business grant. Here's the story behind the win — and why a race team competed against real businesses in the first place.
Jett Johnson·November 8, 2025