Throughout the racing season I am going to share with you the up’s, down’s, in’s, and out’s of racing from a driver’s perspective. I know that by being on the outside of the action, you may not always get a full understanding about what goes on inside the cockpit.
I am going to give you an inside look of what goes on during the week in testing, in the paddocks, during races, on the road, and anything else that you may not see or hear but I know you would love to.

Hope you all enjoy!

 

What Could Have Been…Was Not….

Although I am happy to come away from yet another new track with top 10 results, what the score sheet shows and what could have been were two different stories. I started the race strong, not relinquishing any positions and holding my own before I started my assault to move upwards. I was running as high as 7^th and then a clutch failure combined with being hit from behind, spinning me out, while 4 guys passed me, ruined my chances to maybe even podium in my very first event here at Road Atlanta. I ended up being passed in the end dropping down from 7^th to 10^th. And to add insult to injury, I was clearly passed under yellow by another car… But what could have been was not…as I knew I had enough to move up even more, while some of the front runners got tangled up dropping out of the race just before this series of incidents,  which might have placed me as high as 3^rd, but all left to speculation at this point.

But here is what I know that is fact. As a driver, I did all I could to adapt. I was competing against guys who had tested here, guys who have raced here before, while I had to learn as fast as I could. I did not let the poor testing and practicing results upset me, rather, I buckled down, put my head down, and managed a stellar effort in qualifying, moving up from 14^th to 9^th.

In the race, I knew I had the car and the drive to maybe podium, but at least, in the top 5. Then came something beyond my control and my hopes to finish on the podium were dashed. All week long, I never dropped a wheel, never spun and no damage to the car. All week long I managed to learn and move up, only to have my hopes dashed by a mechanical issue combined with some dirty driving and being passed under yellow. But you have to deal with adversity. I have way more confidence now and am looking forward to building more experience as we move along. Control what you can control.  

So now onto Mazda Laguna Seca. I should do well here, as I have been at this track before. We’ll work towards that as we move along the next couple of weeks in preparation for this season finale.

The good  news is I have moved into 8^th position officially and have the chance to move up even more at the season finally at Mazda Laguna Seca in 2 weeks time.    

Thanks for your interest!

Taylor

Qualifying at Road Atlanta…

So I arrived here really not knowing what to expect out of this track, which holds lots of history and is very technical. I had never run here before, so the learning curve was steep once again, never having turned a lap here in the past. Most of the top 10 guys were just here a few weeks ago for testing and many of them have run other series races here in the past. Track knowledge in a series like this is always a big advantage. I was unable to turn a lap here in the past but would persevere with a positive attitude thru a tough and testing week.

Hence the slower pace, really not getting any faster then 14^th position all week long, but I knew if we nailed down the set up and I got the track down with more knowledge, I could move up. Today came qualifying and that is exactly what happened, as a team, we struggled early on and as a team, I think we figured it out. Although I was relegated to the slower group in qualifying, a big disadvantage, I did manage to improve, so much so, I moved into the 9^th spot in row 5 for the final race.

I am very happy but not satisfied. I know I can get a little more consistency and more out of the car and hope that I can finish even stronger in the final event of the week, Round 11 at Road Atlanta, Friday October 3^rd, 2008.

Thanks for your interest!

Taylor     

 

The Home Stretch…2 Races To Go…

Down to 2 challenging and exciting races. First, Road Atlanta, a new course for me, where I have had no experience. So my plan is to learn as fast as I can and hope to qualify with the fastest group then take it from there. I am really trying to take things to the next level, qualify in the top 10 at least then move up in this very experienced field. But that might be tough, with no track knowledge; it’s going to prove to be a challenging task.

Then comes a track I really like, one I have excelled at, Mazda Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. My goals here might be a little different, which is, to finish out the season on a high note, as I have raced here on 4 other occasions, in SCCA amateur level races in a field of 60 plus cars, so I have had some good knowledge on this track, while I raced in the Star Mazda event last year, only to have a flat tire ruin my chances to show my stuff.

As the season is drawing to a close, my goals are to build on more knowledge, more experience, to benefit me for 2009. My current goals, proving the budget is there, is to do this all over again in 2009. So I am hoping to finish off the year, with the same goals I had at the beginning, which is to compete, take in the experience, gain more knowledge and hope to use that to my advantage for 2009. So far, I am in 9^th spot overall just a few points out of the top 6 drivers. The top 5 have been dominant and constant, so if I can move up a little, that would be a great accomplishment.

I have been working on consistency this year as well. I have been in the to 10 in the series 7 times in 10 races. I had been running within the top 10 at Road America but a first lap incident caused me to spin and cost me big time. Mosport was my first big crash and it took a while for me to get up and running again. But nonetheless, to be in 9^th overall, given my lack of experience, does bode well for finishing off the year strong and for 2009, where my goals will be very different.  

The fight for the championship will be down to the wire. I will be watching with great interest and hoping to run competitively as we move along.    

Thanks for your interest…Taylor Hacquard     

 

 

September 8th

 

Another New Experience…Trois Rivières!

August 18th - This past weekend I attended my first street course race and it was a big challenge. I struggled early with my driving style and car set up, despite valiant efforts from our team who were trying to nail it to allow me to move upwards. I did not respond, leaving me in 16^th place near the back of the field. But overnight, I worked on trying to work things out, reviewing my track maps and attempting to set things up for race day thru visualization and so on. The team also changed the set up to enable me to drive at my level and it worked. Not only did I finish the race without incident, but managed to move up 6 positions on a tough track. So onto Mosport for the 3^rd race of the month, three back to back.

Thanks for your interests…Taylor

 

Slow Start by Strong Finish...

July 28, 2008 - After have experienced a slow start in the opening rounds of racing in Portland, I managed to improve greatly after each and every session, slowly getting the rust out of my system from the longest break I have had in the short year and a half of my driving career.

Race #1 in Portland ended with my best results ever. Race #2 of the double header was even better, in terms of my driving and the team's ability to improve the car's set up. Although race 2's results of 10th position was off my pace from the prior day, I felt I was able to drive more aggressively, more racing, more risk was able to be taken as a result of my confidence in the car. I rocketed thru the start to improve 5 positions to move from 12th to 7th within one lap!

But contact with a guy a few laps down (I lapped this guy 3 times) who failed to yield to on coming faster cars set me back. My front wing was damaged, which hurt the aero on the car, and the front suspension was also bent. But within a couple of laps, I managed to adapt and regain my speed from the prior incident and contested to regain my positions but by this time the race was over.

I can't think my team enough for working and battling thru several issues thru the weekend. Although it does not show in my results which were stellar, there were lots of obstacles this weekend! But as usual, the team effort prevailed and we managed 2 top 10's and my career best top 5.

When we started the season, we knew the learning curve would be steep. I literally give up years of experience to the guys ahead of me and some behind. Most of them have had 3-5 years or more of racing craft knowledge in cars while this is month 19 for me, never having raced cars before January 2007.
So my goals remain realistic, which is to finish in the top 10 and gain some experience at tracks I have never seen before.

As of today, I am 7th in rookie of the year standings and 8th in the series.
Rookie of the year is somewhat misleading in this sport as rookie status means you are a rookie to the series you are in and not racing in general. I am running with some excellent world wide talent making my achievements even more gratifying.

Let's hope the success continues.

Special thanks to my friends Brody, Cam and Allan who made their way from my home town of White Rock to come and see me race as did Rick and Kathy Blake and my aunt and uncle Pat and Al. I think everyone has a few more grey hairs (of a little less hair) after this weekend and I really appreciated the support.

Thanks for your interests...Taylor

 

The End of a Long Frustrating Week...

June 7th, 2008 - I have watched other drivers go thru what I have just experienced wondering how I would fair with a good dose of adversity. Now I know! I ran strong in 3 of the 4 sessions the first day here at Watkins Glen then everything else was a blur.

I should have known when I hit the groundhog (looked more like a beaver) at high speeds it might have been an omen. But you cannot give up and I did not. Today was final race day and although I only qualified 16th, I felt good. The green light went on in record time, seemed like just a second or two of red, but I managed a great start and moved up to 12th within a lap. I was also now challenging for the top 10, moving up even more, when once again something beyond my control ended my chance to be in the top 10...the guy in front of me blew a gasket or something, which caused me to be doused in oil, so much so, I could not see. So I attempted to remove my tear away as by now, my vision was non existent, moving well in excess of 100 miles per hour. More challenges came my way, as when I ripped the tear away shield from my visor, it flipped up and opened. By the time I could close it, more and more oil was pouring out from behind the car I was following. I eventually spun out of control, fortunately not hitting a guard-rail. I managed to get going again, but it was virtually race over. I was now hoping to simply finish my race to gain some points and that I did do. Some of my competitors were not as fortunate saving me from a last place finish.

Now it's time to re-group, collect my thoughts, learn from this experience and move on. One thing I don't remember learning in race school with Jim Russell Racing is how to avert wild life on course, but this is likely never to happen ever again.

From here I go home to rest, take in my high school graduation then get ready for testing and a race in Portland. It will be nice to race in my time zone again. I am hoping I will retain my top 10 series status this year.

Special thanks to my pit crew Kevin/Brandon and Crew Chief Emile Tabb for their efforts this weekend. They worked really long and hard to help me stay in the race after the crash...their efforts will not go un-rewarded.

Thanks for your interest......TAYLOR HACQUARD

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE RACE.....

It's a very warm (104 or 40 Celsius!!!) and humid night here at the old and famous Watkins Glen circuit in New York. I have spent the last couple of days trying to get things sorted out, from the car, to my driving, so as to get back into the top 10. Despite running in 7th then 6th in the test sessions on Wednesday, I had a real rough Thursday. First , I had an on track encounter with a big ground hog who did not survive, sending me into the wall. After those repairs and some lost track time, I made a mistake on a turn, sending me into the guard rails once again. That meant day over and done with, but not for my mechanics who spent well into the night repairing my car, which sustained heavy damages.

So then came more practice/test sessions on Friday, before qualifying. The car and I were not the same as we both struggled to get back on pace. This was my first hard hit and I think that it may have affected me...not to mention, the car has not felt the same despite valiant efforts from my crew, the best I could muster was a 16th place Q effort. Although I am not alone with adversity in this race event as several of the top drivers have had encounters with the wall, it is still frustrating for me not to be within the top 10 of the group. Ironically, there are 3 drivers who's numbers on my team are 14, 15 and 16....and all three of us occupy those qualifying slots.

The race should be interesting and I hope to move up the field, gain more valuable points so I can stay in the top 8 in the series, as I am currently running 6th so far this year.

Stay tuned and god bless the poor ground hog!!!!!

Thanks for your interest...Taylor

Driver Diary – Saturday 17th May:

Today was packed with action. First up was qualifying in the morning here at the beautiful Miller Motor Sports Park near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Qualifying was stellar - I managed to place well inside the top-ten, ending the session seventh out of 31 drivers.

Then came a huge gap in the schedule! We finished our morning track sessions at 10am and had to wait until 4:40pm to go racing! I managed another solid start racing from seventh to fourth on the opening lap, battling it out on the first turn with the lead drivers. A full course yellow early on bunched us together again and I was a little slow out of the re-start, losing three positions. But I battled back and forth with Joel Miller and Ernesto Otero eventually settling into sixth and successfully holding the position to the checkered for my best finish yet! My car performed incredibly well and I again owe much to my team, coach and more importantly my engineer who masterminded the whole set up.

I’m very happy with the entire event. In the last five laps of the race, my lap times were better then the guys immediately ahead of me. I think I could have finished well inside the top-three guys but my poor re-start put me in a bit of a hole which I fought hard to get out of.

Off to school next week, then off to Road America in Wisconsin for testing before I prepare for Round 3 of Star Mazda at Watkins Glenn June 7th...

Thanks for your interest!!!

Taylor

Miller – Promoter Test Day 2

May 16. 2008 - I had another great day today at Miller, managing to stay well within the top-ten with no mechanical issues other than a tire going flat in the final session. I collected eighth and ninth place finishes on the timesheets in both of today’s official practice sessions. All in all it sets the stage for a quick, all-out qualifying session in the morning as the split groups will be set according to practice/test times – where I sit seventh overall. There were some challenges today adapting to the variety of track conditions faced at Miller but everything’s going to plan in the grand scheme of things. Track temperatures varied today from a windy 68 degrees in the morning to 80 degrees and still in the early afternoon. Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day with qualifying in the morning and the race in the afternoon. I can’t wait to get going – stay tuned for all the latest news!

Day 1....Promoter Test Sessions

May 15, 2008 - I started out the day well, simply concentrating on driving well, staying positive and feeling the track, with little emphasis on times. It paid off as I had my strongest showing yet, ending the first session in second place. I again stayed positive next time out and headed on-track with the same plans and ended up second again, further increasing my speed. The last session was late in the day and we fought a little looseness in the ever changing track conditions, but still finished well inside the top-ten, in sixth!

I am very happy, game plan accomplished with lots more track time, more knowledge and experience, as I compete with some of the best junior drivers in the world, most of whom have several years racing experience on me.

Thanks to my team, World Speed and my Standing Start Coach Scott Bradley.

I will update my day two results at the end of the day Friday.

Thanks for your interest.

Taylor.

2 DAYS OF TESTING...MILLER MOTOR SPORTS PARK, UTAH!

May 6th, 2008 - I have just completed the 2 test days and really enjoyed getting back in the car after a month away. I think the break was good as I was fresh and fit, having focused in on the mental and physical aspect of the sport, so I was prepared for the high elevation. The track setting is unreal, a brand new motor sports complex, surrounded by mountains.

As this was a series test session, all of the best drivers and teams were there as well, with almost 20 of the series full time participants there getting used to the new track lay out. I adapted well to the 14 turn track progressing each time in each session, gaining speed and control, cutting tenths off the prior session all day long. Day two was even better, and my car was outstanding.

Although official times were not publicized, I was well within the top 10 for the 2 days combined. Late in afternoon of day #2 I had the fastest time most of the afternoon but ended the day in 3rd spot, setting the stage for me to return next week for the actual race.

My goal, as usual, start and finish, accumulate points and experience, and continue my journey to learn the series and various tracks we will be attending this year.

Thanks to my team and coach for an awesome couple of days and

Thanks for your interest.

Taylor

April 30th
I have just returned from a team meeting and seminar in Sonoma, held at the World Speed Headquarters at Infineon Raceway. I learned lots about the mental aspect of the sport and this I know will help me as I move forward. In just a few days, I leave for Miller Motorsports Park at Salt Lake City, Utah. The team is holding a 2 day test session before the race there May 17th, 2008.

I have taken a few weeks away from the sport, focusing my time in school and pre grad activities. I have been away lots racing this year so I needed to buckle down and study. I am really looking forward to testing at the Miller Motorsports Track and am anxious to race again. Soon there will be new news regarding a new partnership alliance with TAYLORHACQUARD.COM. Stay tuned, my Dad has been working hard on getting some corporate support and it looks like we have succeeded. This will help us in our goals to perform at a high level in the Star Mazda Series.

Thanks for your interest!

March 14, 2008 - RACE DAY AT SEBRING!!!

Despite a few ups and downs thru the week, I am happy (but not satisfied) with the week and the end results.

I finished off the first Star Mazda race of the series in 9th place out of a deep international field of 27 pilots. I was the top Canadian and #1 on my team. I have to thank my team and coach, both of whom enabled me to move forward bit by bit.

The standing start was a little crazy! The car ahead of me stalled so I made a bold and instantaneous move to get by him not even looking back. I started the race in 12th and managed to move up to 9th. Nobody other then one driver in the top 12 qualifying spots made a mistake, so I had to earn the move upwards, other then 1 position.

I hope to build on this as we prepare for more testing coming shortly.

I have had some big challenges in the last year of learning and racing. But honestly, nothing like this deep field of international contenders. So I am happy with the end result and I thank you for your interest.

See the Star Mazda web site for more details and the Speed Channel television schedule of this race.

Taylor Hacquard...

March 12, 2008 - QUALIFYING DAY AT SEBRING!!!

Today we had 2 sessions on the track. This morning we had an official practice session and this afternoon we qualified. First came the official practice session where I ended up 15th which really disappointed me after running in 8th in our last session yesterday. But a mechanical challenge did not enable me to run full speed, otherwise the car was awesome. My team has done an excellent job in keeping the car well suited to ever changing track conditions.

So then came qualifying later in the afternoon. As I was in the top fastest half of the group, we went second in qualifying. But a red flag shortened session meant only 2 laps in which I was able to run fast due to the accident. I ended up 12th, which was disappointing. I felt I had enough to be well inside the top 10...but this is close enough.

Onto race day on Friday. Thanks...Taylor

March 12, 2008 - HERE WE GO AGAIN.....

Wednesday Update....

Day 3 and things coming together with the car set up. We found a sweet spot and I managed to move up to 8th in this talented field. The track was a little slower today but still very challenging. So we'll see what happens come Thursday. I am starting to get more comfortable with this tough track and am hoping to stay in the top 15 come qualifying.

Sebring and the track is very unique. Very different from what I have seen at other tracks, especially the camp grounds. Kind of a carnival atmosphere. Every day, more and more people show up, the paddock is stuffed full.

Thanks for your interest!!!!!!!!!!

Taylor

March 11, 2008 - Day 2...Test Sessions 3 & 4......

Another good day, running just shy of the top 10, in 11th this morning and dropping to 15th later in the day. We were trying some new and different things. My team is doing a great job, as is my coach Scott Bradley. Very much on track to attaining our goals as a team. I have no complaints with the car.

Special thanks to Benoit from G-NIUS.CA for keeping my web site up to date.

Thanks for your interest...Taylor.

March 10, 2008 - First Day at Sebring...

It was a very long but rewarding day at Sebring. Firstly, all the paperwork and registration is done, on the track for 2 good test sessions and then press training with the Star Mazda series Monday night. By the time the day was done, my brain was full. I had no problems getting to bed Monday night.

My test sessions were pretty much what I had expected. I ran a respectable 12th on the first session and moved up to 11th session #2. Half of the top 10 guys were series veterans returning for another year, while the other half were former champions in their own right, most from Europe. It was my goal to be mid pack anyways. As there were 27 drivers in the field, I exceeded my goals. I am hoping to be more with it DAY #2 Tuesday as I am acclimatizing to the eastern time zone now and better rested for the day.

Today we only have 2 test sessions, some press duties with Speed Channel and Star Mazda, but the day won't be as intense as Monday. My goal today, be as good as I can be and hopefully do as well as I had yesterday.

Thanks for your interest...Taylor!

March 7, 2008 - Expectations for 2008….
As I prepare for our first big race, I wanted to set the tone for how I am going to be approaching things this week at Sebring. My team, coach and family have been very supportive of my efforts in motorsports. I am still in a huge learning curve. As I enter and prepare for my first series season opener, it is our mandate to take in as much track time as possible. My focus, the way it was when I entered my very first season of Stars of Karting, is to finish the race, be the best I can be, but maximize the track time. So our focus may be a little different then everyone else’s, sure everyone wants to be on the podium, but I am convinced that will happen in due time. Look for me to be competitive with a very large and deep international field against some of the best junior drivers in the world. Where we finish, is secondary, to coming away from Sebring with more laps and more experience then we had before. Patience will be key, finishing will be our focus and whatever happens after that is secondary to our short term goals.

Thanks for your interest…Taylor Hacquard

Sebring Schedule, Week of March 10th 2008.

Monday March 11th
8 AM and 1:20 P.M. test sessions. (1 hour long)
Tuesday March 12th
10:05 AM and 4:40 P.M. test sessions.
Wednesday March 13th
Official Series Practice Session #1 at 12:40 P.M.
Thursday March 14th
Official Series Practice Session #2 at 8:40 A.M.
Thursday March 14th
Official Series Qualifying at 1:20 P.M.
Friday March 15th
Official Series Race at 2:50 P.M.

See you at the track…for results, see the link on my web site or go to STAR MAZDA.COM web site.

February 18, 2008 - Prepping for Sebring...

In the coming few weeks, I start to prepare for my first big pro event, the Star Mazda support race to the "12 Hours of Sebring". This coming Saturday, I leave for Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California to meet with my team.

Over the weekend, we'll be spending time doing a new seat, preparing the car. That process will take us thru the weekend at World Speed's headquarters. Come Monday, I will leave for Bakersfield, California, for 2 days on pro testing with the team at one of the best test tracks in the Nation, Buttonwillow Raceways. I will be working with my team-mates Chris Cumming and Eric Frieberg, both veterans of the series. We'll be practicing standing starts. The much needed time testing the new set up should really help us once we get to our first race, to be held March 11 to the 15th, in Sebring, Florida.

I am looking forward to that week. I am almost done school, having worked hard in the first half of the semester to get as many credits possible, knowing that I would be away much of the second half. In fact, I have enough credits now to graduate. But I will stay in school and juggle both racing and academics so I can enjoy the festivities of my final year of high school.

Thanks for your interest.

Taylor Hacquard

January 12, 2008 - Due to school mid term exams, I am unable to attend the final Star Mazda Winter race in Phoenix. I must focus in on school, in my final year of grade 12, this is more important at this time. The next big race for us will be the Star Mazda season openner in Sebring, Florida. I will work towards this big event and look forward to a test session in between at Infineon Raceway. Thanks for your interest...Taylor

January 10th, 2008 - I will barely have time to rest, get caught up at school, and then be off for my next race, something I thought we would not be taking part of due to scheduling issues. But given I am in the hunt for the season championship, we have found a way to make it happen. So the Wolfe Auto Group/World Speed Pro Formula Mazda will leave gator country, having spent the last week testing at Sebring, Florida and will stop by Phoenix International Raceway for the last race of this series. I am looking forward to yet another new track, one of several I have attended the last 12 months. Each and every time we get to a new track, the learning curve starts all over again. But with the last 5 events, each at new venues, I have adapted very well. I hope to compete as well as I have of late and as usual, I don’t have any predictions or expectations other then to continue my learning curve, so whatever happens will happen. As a rookie knee deep in competition way more experienced then I, there is no pressure to succeed, only pressure to learn. I have just 8 days in which to rest up, get caught up at school, then off to P.I.R. for another race. Thanks for your interest…Taylor

On My Way Home In Top Spot!

January 9th, 2008 - I am now on my way home from 2 days of testing at the Star Mazda test in SEBRING, FLORIDA. I adapted very well to the track, in fact, was second fastest out of the trailer and never looked back all day long, remaining second fastest only to my team mate Eric Frieberg, who was quickest all day. Day 2, Eric and I swapped positions as I was first and he was second. It was not only a strong showing for me, but for World Speed Drivers coached by Standing Start. I adapted quickly to this fast and technical track and the engineering and coaching by my team helped me thru both days. I want to thank my team mate Eric who assisted me thru the learning of this new track and to World Speed staff and my Standing Start coach Scott Bradley.

I am attempting to attend the last Star Mazda Winter Tour in 2 weeks for which I am battling for top spot and the championship with Mike Hill. As I am in my senior year of high school, I may have to bow out due to school commitments, but I will try to persuade my teachers to let me write my exams early.

Thanks for your interests...Taylor

January 2nd, 2008 - In just a few days, I depart for my first official Star Mazda series test session, to be held in Sebring, Florida. This will serve as an excellent gauge for the work ahead of me this season. While I raced in 2 Star Mazda series races already last season, neither session was indicative of my abilities. In Portland, a rain soaked race, in which I was running well in the top 10, ended with only 12 minutes left in the race as I was punted off the track from behind. At Mazda Raceway in Laguna Seca, some bad luck both in qualifying and again in the race, in which I was in 12th place and moving up, a tire valve stem got clipped ending my day early as well, so neither race, in my opinion, gave me the chance to show my abilities. This test session, reserved only for those racing in the series for 2008, should give me the chance to run with the big boys in my first real pro test of my career as a rookie.

I am looking forward to continuing my progress. This is a two year plan, with year one dedicated to the learning curve, so my focus is to start and finish, take in as many laps as I can and do the best I can. The Star Mazda series have made some interesting changes for 2008, with the use of radial tires vs. bias plys, in addition to standing starts, Formula One style, as opposed to rolling starts. Although the exact tire has yet to be announced, my team, World Speed, will be using a close assimilation to the GOOD YEAR spec racing radial, so as to allow us to gain some valuable track time and data for the new configuration.

I had a great first season in 2007. Everything went according to plan. I took in over 3000 laps of testing, attended more races then was originally planned due to my quick learning curve and even took in 2 Pro Level races. I started 12 races this past year, and the results were great. Of the 12 races, I had 4 poles and 5 top 2 and 3 qualifying positions, 7 podium finishes and my first win in Phoenix at the Star Mazda Winter tour. I am currently challenging for the inaugural series championship for the Star Mazda Winter Tour. Despite not having raced in all of the Star Mazda West Coast events, I still managed to finish second in 2007. One of the highlights to my season was running neck and neck with some Champ Car Atlantic drivers at an SCCA Double National Event in Portland, despite running in a car not matched for the likes of the Champ Car Formula Atlantics. I managed a second place finish in one of those events, beating all but one driver, Carl Skerlong.

The learning curve has been huge. I have never raced a car ever before this year (2007) and had only raced go karts for 2 years prior. But I am quick to adapt and have surrounded myself with the best teams, the best people! During my kart racing days, I had Italian Motors as mentors and guidance not only on the track but off. I learned lots about not only racing from the Valiante Family, but learned lots about being professional off the track too. Same goes with World Speed Motorsports and my coaches at Standing Start. There is lots to learn in motorsports, but my learning curve has been quicker due to some internal ability and some great external mentors from the above mentioned teams.

Thanks to all that helped me this past year and I look forward to more progress as we move along in my rookie season at the Pro Level.

Thanks for your interest…Taylor

Great Way to Finish off 2007!!!

December 10, Arizona- This past weekend I attended the second Star Mazda Winter Series at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Arizona. One might expect to be racing in nice dry sunny weather but we arrived Friday night to heavy rain and 13 degree temps. So most of the weekend was spent trying to figure out a green track I had never raced on before with only 20 minutes of practice prior to qualifying. The other big challenge was the track is integrated with a drag strip on the long straightaway. Mix up a drag strip with rubber laid down, oil and water from the rain and you get the picture…it was a skating rink with only one line down the middle. If you ventured off line at all, likely you would end up in the wall lining the drag strip. My weekend was near perfect, dominating all sessions with the fastest times in practice and poll (#1 starting positions both days). I also got faster and faster all weekend long. The first race on Saturday was wild with the green flag dropping and me getting on the gas, only to fish tail down the drag strip, almost putting the Wolfe Auto Group/ World Speed Pro Formula Mazda into the wall several times. I dropped from 1st on pole to 10th by the time I could get it going again. But that would not stop me as I regained all of those positions, pulling off several of the fastest times off the weekend and eventually chasing down and passing Mike Hill to finish #1. On race day 2, I continued my domination regaining poll again. We qualified in dry conditions and then we raced in wet. Thru the entire race, I led most of the way but was challenged and eventually passed by a competitor. With only one lap to go, I pulled into the lead with an aggressive pass at the end of the straightaway having to do so on the outside lane as the leader had closed the door on the inside to protect his line. So if I was to win, the only chance I had was to out brake him going wide on the outside and it worked. Only one problem…with the start finish line in sight, I made a mistake in the hairpin, going slightly wide which caused me to spin and give up the lead for good, finishing 2nd for day 2. Nonetheless, it was an awesome weekend for me and all that I had learned this past year was put into practice this past weekend. I wish to thank my team members World Speed for providing me with such a great car all weekend long and to my coach’s from Standing Start for providing me with such great insight. Next up for me…some much needed sleep, then Christmas Holidays and off to Sebring Florida for my very first official Star Mazda event of 2008, a 2 day official series test session. Thanks for your interest…Taylor…

 

RACE DAY AT BUTTONWILLOW...RACE #2

November 18th, 2007 - Today was day 2, race #2 of the Star Mazda Winter Tour double race weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway. I had more adversity, having to drive a back up car with no time for any adjustments. But it was a challenge I was ready for, putting the car on pole for the second day in a row. This time, I was ready for Mike Hill on the start, not giving an inch and getting a great start. I managed to gain the lead and stay there, stretching out a 5 second lead mid way thru the race, only to spin in fresh dirt off the track from a lapper who had just spun out in front of me, with a 360 degree spin giving way to Mike Hill to take the lead. But I wouldn't give up, running Mike down and taking over again. A late race spin, dirt and a small error on my part, gave the lead back to Mike again and I ended up finishing #2 for the day. But at least I battled thru some adversity, in a back up car, spinning out and re-gaining the lead. So it was a good way to end a weekend that showed I had learned a lot this year, now I prepare for race #2 of the Star Mazda Winter Tour, to be held in early December 7th thru the 9th in Chandler, Arizona.(FIREBIRD RACEWAY...)

I have to say, although I am disappointed not finishing first, there were lots of accomplishments this weekend. I was the fastest in every practice session and put the World Speed/Wolfe Auto Group car on poll twice in two days...but the #1 finishing position in this series this weekend was not meant to be. Congratulations go out to Mike Hill and Walko Racing for their double wins this weekend...see you all in Arizona.

Special thanks to Frank McCormick, team member from World Speed for giving me the chance to race day #2 in his car...and thanks for my team at World Speed and for Chuck West from Standing Start helping me battle thru adversity this weekend...

Thanks for your interest...Taylor

RACE DAY AT BUTTONWILLOW...

My progress continued today, this being race day. We had a practice session in which we continued to climb the ladder in terms of times, still posting the fastest time of the weekend and of the group. Then came qualifying, and as the plan sometimes works out, I managed the fastest time of the weekend and the fastest in my field, placing me on pole, my first ever. So my closest competitor, Mike Hill, was right behind me. The start of the first race was wild, with Hill attempting to put the squeeze on me but I would not give in. Despite a slightly slower start then I had wanted, my pole position would not be relinquished. But Hill and I went into turn 1 too quick, with neither of us wanting to give in, and we set the benchmark for the balance of the field with most of us spinning off into the desert. Hill was able to continue without stopping while the entire field passed me by before I was able to get out of the California desert sand. But I was mad so I drove silly fast and caught up to the pack, picking them off one by one, eventually closing in on the leader Hill. But my bad luck continues, as I blew the transmission, ending my day. So that makes 3 races in a row with D.N.F. One good thing, usually these bad streaks end and then some good luck comes your way, so let's hope for this to happen on Sunday, race day #2. As my car's driveline is demolished, Frank McCormick was nice enough to let me use his car Sunday, so I am hoping to reward his kind gesture with a win tomorrow. My karting coach and Team Italian Motors Director of Racing Michael Valiente once told us that in racing, there will be more lows then highs, more downs then ups, lots of struggles and little success, but that is part of racing. I know eventually I will start to succeed. I have my original coach back in my corner, Chuck West from Standing Start. It's been nice to re-unite and I am hoping to show him and my team I have what it takes to succeed in this sport. Let's hope for some good luck!!! Thanks for your interest...

BUTTONWILLOW - FRIDAY RECAP

Today, Friday November 16th was the first test/practice session of the 3 days of racing at Buttonwillow Race Track in Bakersfield, California. I am attending the Star Mazda Winter Series, the first of three double race weekends. I have an affinity with this track as it is the first time I had ever tested my Pro Formula Mazda, the very first time in a race car. Seems that my hard work all season long, focused in on testing and some racing paid off as I posted the fastest times of any of the drivers in the field. Towards the end of the day, my gap narrowed to a half second, so I am hoping to continue the trend thru qualifying and racing on Saturday. There are several young drivers in the field representing numerous teams testing and racing in preparation for the Star Mazda Series 08. Among them is former Formula BMW pilot Mike Hill, who has signed on with Walko Racing and is preparing for 08. He was the closest to my quick times yesterday only a half second off my pace, so I had better pick it up…Thanks for your interest….Taylor

November 14
Star Mazda Winter Series...

I am off to Buttonwillow for the first weekend of the Star Mazda Pro Winter Tour in Bakersfield, California. The series is the first of it's kind for the Pro Tour and is certain to draw some good entries. I am hoping to continue my learning curve and attempt to succeed to finish the race. My goal is simple and realistic...take it in, do the best I can and attempt to finish both races. I will update my results this weekend as we move along. Thanks for your interest.

October 20th
Another Star Mazda race and another D.N.F....

The weekend was a bit of a roller coaster ride, lots of ups and downs. While I am still gaining experience at this level, it would be nice to take in a whole race. In Portland, I fell short of a rain filled race, was in the top 10 and was hit from behind and my day was done. A bit of a different story at Mazda Laguna Seca this past weekend. I was in deep, starting 20th from a field of 36 drivers and had a great start, moving up to 12th and looking to move up even further when some incidental contact with another car clipped and cut the valve stem on the right front ending my day.

I wasn't the only one to go D.N.F. in this race. Ron White came into contact with Lorenzo Mandarino when Mandarino went wide out of turn 5, going wildly out of control and smashing into Ron, just about demolishing both cars as a result. This is a very tough track and the race finished on a caution.

There was some additional controversy this past weekend. Firstly the qualifying. When we arrived at the track this morning, the track was wet and a steady stream of water was coming down from turn 9. So as a rule, instead of splitting up the group into two groups, the rule states that the qualifying session should be run all at once. The theory is that nobody should have an advantage over another. If the first group went out first, they would run the first part of qualifying wet then eventually drying up the track, thus limiting the fast laps and drying out the track to the advantage of the second group....and that is what happened. I was only able to get in 2 good laps, good enough for second in my group. But that also meant a 20th starting position.

The other issue was a driver jumping the start and forcing me to the outside on a couple of re starts, really hurting my ability to move up. Star Mazda later fined the driver then disqualified him for his erratic driving, so at least it was dealt with.

So there you go, in both Star Mazda races this year, I failed to finish but one thing for certain, I am more then able to compete at this level and am looking forward to next season.

I have confirmed my attendance in the World Speed Winter Pro Challenge and will work hard to improve my skills as we draw closer to Star Mazda 2008.

Thanks for your interest and I promise to finish my next race!!!!!

October 18

In just a few days I will start the preparation for my second pro race to take place at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceways in Monterey, California. It’s the Monterey Sports Car Championships and runs from October 18th thru the 21st.

It is a Star Mazda Pro race and is the season finally. The season champion has already clinched it, Dane Cameron won this season. This will be a big test for me as I get to race against guys (and gals) who have been in this series all year long, while I have only done one pro level race in Portland this year, that way I get to keep my rookie status for 2008. We have committed to the full pro level series for 2008, so I am really hoping to continue to excel at this weekend’s race.

The Monterey Sports Car Championships are really a big event, as there are 4 pro level series going on all weekend long, including Star Mazda, American Lemans, Speed World Challenge and IMSA Lites. The fan turn out should be great and I am looking forward to taking what I learned at this race track three weeks ago in the SCCA Double Regionals and continuing where I left off.

In the meantime, as I am in my senior year of high school, I am cramming and studying my face off as I am away again missing out on some valuable school time but am keeping up with a decent grade average.

For more information on my progress this weekend, you can also go the corporate series web site, StarMazda.com.

I will update you as the weekend goes on. Thanks for your interest.

September 30, 2007

Final day #3, race #2 and I qualified 4th starting on the outside again. This makes it very important to get a great start so I can tuck in the inside lane. I managed to move up to 3rd out of turn #2 and never looked back this time, running a clean fast race. Each time I challenged for 2nd, I got held up in traffic. Then came one caution after another, which meant the lead I built up on the pack behind me evaporated. But each time we went green, I managed to stretch it out again, only to run into lappers. Although I challenged for second and had no hope to catch that Formula Atlantic Rault, the caution would prevent me from moving forward. The race ended on a full course yellow and there went my chance to move up. However, I came to Laguna to learn and that I did, shaving a full 2 seconds off my best time from Saturday. I ended up with a fast time of 1.243 off the record Formula Atlantic pace of 1.025 at this track. So when we return to Laguna for the Pro Race October 18th, I should be able to pick up where I left off this time.

Thanks for your interest.

Taylor

September 29, 2007
Day 2 of the SCCA race at Mazda Laguna Seca and some good lessons learned not to mention great track experience. Started race #1 in second spot, good start with cars P1and P3 moving ahead of me, therefore enabling me to tuck into the inside lane for a solid 3rd place start. Likely the best start I have had. There was some movement in the first couple of laps and I managed to move into a solid second, with my sights on the car in first, the faster Rault. Then came a mistake, I went into turn 5 a little too aggressively, came out with too much momentum then spun into the dirt. I was carrying so much speed I did a 360 degree spin, kept on the gas, geared down and kept going, losing 6 spots in the process. A full course yellow enabled me to move up on slower cars, finishing 7th in the process. With so much traffic, I was unable to get much of a clean lap anytime anywhere, but I came here to learn the track and that is what I accomplished. Then came qualifying for race #2 with 60 cars and numerous full course yellows and a full course stoppage, I was only able to get in a few laps, qualifying 3rd for race #2 on feature Sunday. That is good news...starting inside for a change. While I have been learning, it has been very frustrating running with so many cars, all qualifying at once. There must be a better way. So Sunday should be great, lots of fun and I hope to have a better final outcome. I don't think anyone can come close to the F.A. Rault, so my focus is clean, mistake free laps, trying to finish on the podium. Thanks for your interest.

September 28, 2007

Today was my first of 3 days at the infamous Mazda Laguna Seca racetrack, where I am attending, likely the last time, an amateur SCCA Regional Race. I went out for precious track time for practice today and had a tire go down on air, while the other started to deteriorate. So my times were not great, but I stayed out. Then came qualifying, in a huge pack of 60 open wheel cars. It wasn't until my second last lap of qualifying, with only a few minutes remaining, that I managed a clean lap, only passing 7 cars, and wound up P2. My time was 1.2648 only second to a Formula Atlantic Rault, and faster then 58 other drivers. The track is very challenging, especially turn 6, maneuvering around a turn at different elevations, at high speeds. The most fun part of the track is the straightaway, with a big elevation change, and speeds exceeding 150 M.P.H., it's like being on a roller coaster...it actually takes your breath away. So Saturday, I start 2nd, which is better then mid pack with a field of 60 drivers. I will update this web site with news from my race mid day tomorrow. Thanks for your interest.

September 22nd, 2007

I am off to the infamous Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway, one of the most challenging and beautiful tracks in North America. I am participating in the SCCA Double Regional weekend. This venue is the highest form of amateur level racing there is in North America and I will be using up some precious track time there to test and race in preparation for the season finale Star Mazda Pro Race at this same location in October 07.

It will be another big challenge for me as I have never raced there before combined with the fact that there are 375 entries there this weekend. The biggest class happens to be mine, Class 2, open wheel, where there will be 60 entries strong, including almost 20 Pro Formula Mazdas and a good contingency of Formula Atlantic Swifts and so on. Our car, 06 Pro Formula Mazda, is at a disadvantage with many of the cars in this field as we don't have the down force the Atlantics have, combined with a smaller tire diameter, which is a radial vs. ours which is bias ply. What does that mean...down a straight away, we both have the ability to carry speeds in excess of 175 miles per hour, but they outpace us in braking and cornering, so I will have to be sharp and make no mistakes this weekend if I want to be in the top 15 or so, which is my goal.

I don't think I have enough in the car and enough time on the track to podium, but with over 60 entries running at the same time and qualifying at the same time, I guess anything is possible. My team Worldspeed and Standing Start have arranged for me to get a track drive there on Thursday so I am going in a day in advance so I can get the lay of the land first. The paddock will be full, the track will be busy and the sun is going to shine according to the weatherman (darn...I like running in the rain) so it will be a great experience before the Pro Star race in October.

I will update my web site after each day to keep you in the loop, thanks for your support and interest. For more information, see my web site at TAYLORHACQUARD.COM and/or SCCA.COM and go to the San Francisco region where results and goings on will be posted there as well. This race takes place September 28th thru 30th, 2007.

AUGUST 22

I have a one day test session scheduled for Thursday August 30th so I can work things out with the new seat and peddles in my car. That way I don’t need to deal with this in a race weekend. Because of school starting soon, I will be unable to further test at all early September but I will have logged almost 1500 laps so far this year, so I should be ready for the next phase. Our tentative schedule now includes an SCCA race weekend at Mazda Laguna Seca September 28, 29 and 30 in addition to more racing in October. The last big race of my testing season will be the Star Mazda Race at Mazda Laguna Seca October 19, 20, 21. Then back to the drawing board in preparation for the 2008 Star Mazda season, which might also include the World Speed Winter Races, more testing and so on. My last few test sessions have been very technical, working towards a full pro set up, with the guidance of World Speed staff Mike Doyle, race engineer and Standing Start Coaches John Olsen. I am learning the pro set up so as to take my learning curve to the next level. So back to the track and soon back to school…my brain is getting very full!!!

AUGUST 1

I am off to Sonoma again for more test days with World Speed and Standing Start. I am going early for some time in the shop, possible re-fit for my seat and some other team related stuff. I hope to be able to surpass my fast times from July. Very much looking forward to my September racing schedules again, hitting the track in SCCA Nationals along with some other racing venues. I am approaching almost 1350 laps so far this year, so testing continues to be the priority. My dad is about ready for marketing for the 2008 Star Mazda season, so all moving forward as planned. I have had my first break of the summer this past week, spending a week up at my folks cabin in the Okanagan Valley in B.C. Between racing and working, it's been a busy yet fun summer so far.

JULY

I am off to California for a couple of days of testing. Kind of like going back to school, racing school. This test program is going to be different then the others, in the sense that I am going to be working with my race engineer Mike Doyle, as well as my coach from Standing Start John Olsen and my technician Kevin.

The car has been upgraded with more sensors to enable us to captivate more data. Sensors have been mounted on the steering wheel, wheels, side pods and brakes to enable us to learn more about my driving habits, not to mention the car’s driving characteristics. My data acquisition system was also upgraded.

So lots of laps at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. Lots of analyzing track data, car data and hopefully I will be able to come away from these two days with faster lap times then I had experienced in the past.

We have made the decision to do more testing in July and August, to focus in on laps and data. Every step of the way I will have guidance from Standing Start and World Speed. In the fall, I will take my experiences from these test sessions back to the racing scene and will be racing in 5 races from September 1 thru the end of October 07.

My 2007 season will wrap up at the Star Mazda race at the Mazda Laguna Seca track in October then training for the Pro Program will start in November. While I have had some down time the last 4 weeks, I have been racing my simulator at home and have found some time to work at my Dad’s Mazda dealerships to help pay the way for the balance of the season.

Stay tuned for more information about my test sessions…

JUNE

June 9th (Portland) - The rains came hard today. I qualified 13th in a dry set up, and afterwards the skies openned and we went to a full wet set up. The start was about the craziest scene I could have imagined. When the green flag dropped,everyone pinned it despite having no vision. I could not see at all, but I went for it and went thru the chicane untouched thanks to my coach John Olsen helping me find a hole big enough for me to pass. unfortunatley Dane Cameron and a few others got collected in the first turn and their day was done. I managed to work my way up to 7th spot with only 12 minutes left in the race. Although there was a big gap between me and the rear of the field, another full course yellow bunched us all together, making it another challenge for a start and the full speed we accumulate before the chicane. Again I had a clean start but my day ended with just 10 minutes remaining as a competitor got into the back of me twice in a matter of seconds, sending me off the track. Although I was frustrated as I knew I was going to finish my very first race in the top 10 at the Pro level, it was an awesome experience and will better prepare me for the balance of this year.

I wish to thank WOLFE AUTO GROUP, WORLD SPEED, STANDING START and especially my support team Mike Doyle/race engineer, John Olsen/coach, Emile Tabb/chief technician and Telo Stewart, Team Principal World Speed. I also want to thank Kristie at I.M.S.A. and Michelle at ASN FIA CANADA who helped me get my International Racing License in time for this event.

In the last 12 days, I have tested and raced at two major events, placed 5th, 3rd and if not for the contact in the last part of the Star Mazda Race, would have been in the top 10 here as well. I would say that was a successful run!!! Great teamwork and support gives a driver a great chance to win. Thanks to all who helped.

See my web site for updates at TAYLORHACQUARD.COM.

I will have more news coming soon...Taylor Hacquard Motorsports

June 8, 2007

Greetings from Portland!

Today was my first session of the Star Mazda Series. I had a rough morning having been late for the driver's meeting, costing me 5 minutes of qualifying. Then in the first lap of the first practice I had a mechanical failure, broke a half shaft (rare) and me session was over. But I didn't let it bother me. I ran the second test session finishing 16th 0f 31 drivers, only a few tenths out of the top 10. I finished off the day further analysing data with my engineer Mike Doyle and my coach John Olsen. I am hoping to qualify again in the top 15...my final race is on Saturday at 5 P.M.

Taylor