Sorry ... RSWC Does NOT Offer Classes to the Racing Public
RSWC is a Talent Scout and ongoing, long-term NASCAR Focused Driver Career Development Program. We provide training only to the Drivers in our long term career development program.
Race Career University
Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle has been described as a University for career bound young race drivers. The training program is comprehensive, in-depth and teaches the real world skills professional race drivers need.
There are 24 Classroom Training Days, 20 different On-Track Training Days and 1 Live Training Event with over 500 people.
The following is the list of Classroom Training and On-Track Training topics, exclusively for young Drivers selected for the Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle Driver Career Development program. (These classes are closed to the general racing public.)
One Workshop/Meeting for Parents Only …
Workshop Topic #1: The Seven Secrets of Utilizing the RSWC Program
Conducted by: Veteran Career Development & Driver Coach Ron Sutton
* The keys to utilizing the RSWC Career Coaching
* Making important decisions / Mistakes to avoid
* Handling other people outside the program
* Working with RSWC Teams, Crew & Personnel
* Utilizing Driver Coaches
* How to best support the Driver at home
* This is a good time for Parents to meet and potentially work out ride sharing, room sharing, etc.
Special Note: While we would like both Parents to participate, we require at least one Parent of each RSWC Driver to participate in this critical meeting. This meeting is mandatory for Parents with Drivers new to the RSWC program. Parents of returning RSWC Drivers ... are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Five Workshops for both Drivers & Parents …
Workshop Topic #2: Raising Money to Race in the Real World!
Conducted by: Veteran Marketing Consultant & Driver Career Coach Ron Sutton
* Connecting with Money People
* Sponsors & Benefactors - The key differences
* Proven strategies to raise benefactor dollars
* Proven strategies to land sponsors
* Who makes sense to pursue as a sponsor ... and who doesn't
* Proposal or consultation? What works best & when.
* Effective contact and follow up methods
* Proven strategies for successful fund raising events
Workshop Topic #3: Marketing the Driver to Teams & Sponsors
Conducted by: NASCAR PR Veteran
* What to know before approaching a Sponsor
* What potential Sponsors to approach … and not
* How to make a sponsor presentation on your own
* Putting together a dynamic marketing presentation
* Getting sponsored, season-long or event by event
* How much are sponsorships worth
* Sponsor contracts
* Sponsor hospitality, show car programs & appearances
* Keeping a sponsor - Sponsorship maintenance
* Getting personal endorsements
* Socializing with Sponsors
* Website development
Workshop Topic #4: Successfully Winning Big Sponsors 
Conducted by: Top Selling Author & Sponsorship Guru Andrew Waite
Andrew Waite wrote the #1 racing sponsorship book, THE GREAT MONEY HUNT - An Insider's Practical Guide to Raising Motor Racing Sponsorship.
* Narrowing down which companies to target for sponsorship
* Approaching companies to set sponsorship meetings
* Understanding marketing from companies point of view
* How you can provide Sponsors with maximum “Return On Investment”
* Strategies to bring the Sponsor more customers, more sales & more business
* Strategies to provide great value to Sponsors … even when you’re not increasing sales.
* The powerful consultative approach to learning a Sponsor’s goals and objectives
* How to present winning sponsorship proposals to medium and large companies
Workshop Topic #4b: Secrets to Working with a Racing Spotter 
Conducted by: NASCAR Veteran Spotter/Team Manager Bill Floyd
* Moving into a series that utilizes Spotters
* What is … and is not … the role of the spotter
* Learning Spotter language
* Keys to developing communication with your Spotter
* What to expect when working with a Spotter the first time
* Radio communication tips & techniques
Workshop Topic #5: Keys to Successful NASCAR Career Development
Conducted by: Byron Goggin of Joe Gibbs Racing
* How you will be expected to act by Team, Crew, Fans & Sponsors
* Professional written & verbal communications
* Handling Team conflicts
* Dealing with Media
* Working with Manufacturers
* What to do … and not … with your web site
* Reading & writing contracts / When to sign
* How to negotiate the terms of Driver contracts
* How to form a legal business for the Driver
* When do you need a Lawyer, Driver’s Insurance, etc.
* Keeping control over every step of your career
* Hiring your own Assistant / PR / Marketing Person
* Handling probation/suspension from a sanctioning body
* Developing your public personality vs. private personality
* Handling your temper & frustration
* Living with streaks … winning or losing
* Schedule organization and management
* Attending trade shows, banquets & business events
Workshop Topic #6: How to Wins Friends & Influence People
Conducted by: Certified Dale Carnegie Trainer Robert Scherer
* Effective communications & human relations
* The 21 principles of relationship building
* Building self-confidence
* Enhancing communication skills
* Interpersonal skill development
* Effective attitude management
18 Workshops for Drivers Only …
Workshop Topic #7: Race Team Dynamics & Career Development
Conducted by: Veteran Career Development & Driver Coach Ron Sutton
* The 21 Keys to achieve a driving career
* The power of KERP
* The seven keys to human performance
* “Just Racing” versus “Driver Development”
* Setting the right goals
* Going from racing with family to a Team
* Understanding Team structures
* Keys to a successful race team
* Racing is about people … cars are just tools
* Building relationships
Workshop Topic #8: Keys to Becoming a Great Driver
Conducted by: Veteran Career Development & Driver Coach Ron Sutton
* Defining your work ethic
* Life balance: most kids vs a career bound young driver
* Giving accurate feedback
* Defining driving terms
* Qualifying strategies
* Starting strategies
* Racing strategies
* Focus & goals of practice
* Focus & goals of testing
* Being safe & protecting your car
* How to race others
* How to race in a new series
Workshop Topic #9: Becoming a Professional Athlete
Conducted by: Jim Leo of PitFit Fitness Training
* Defining your work ethic
* Developing your work out
* Getting in star athlete shape
* Tricks of Tri-Athletes & Marathon Runners
* The proper diet for everyday
* Secrets of food before race day … and during
* Secrets of hydration, key fluids and energy drinks
* Taking care of yourself for race day performance
Workshop Topic #10: Speed Secrets Boot Camp
Conducted by: Top Selling Author & Elite Driver Coach Ross Bentley
* Mental preparation skills
* Ramping up instantly
* Learning new tracks quicker
* Maximizing consistency in driving
* Improving lap times
* Using all of your senses
* Giving correct feedback
* Working with a Driver Coach
Workshop Topic #11: Chassis Tuning Fundamentals from the Driver’s Viewpoint
Conducted by: Veteran Chassis Tuner & Crew Chief Ron Sutton
* In-depth & detailed chassis tuning training
* What each chassis tuning change affects
* When it does this ... tune on this ... to fix it
* To make it do this ... adjust this ... to go faster
* Covers all tunable aspects of modern race cars
Workshop Topic #12: The Art of Great Driver Interviews
Conducted by: World of Outlaws TV Commentator Bobby Gerould
* Pre-race interviews versus post race interviews
* Directing your emotions to give powerful interviews
* What to talk about ... and how to say it best
* What to say ... and not to say ... in an interview
* Discussing bad situations in an interview
* How to be interesting and stand apart from other racers
Workshop Topic #13: Professional Level Racing Secrets & Strategies
Conducted by: Veteran Career Development & Driver Coach Ron Sutton
* Tricks for better qualifying
* The secrets to great starts & restarts
* 17 proven strategies for passing
* Keys to set-up, time and complete passes
* Tire management
* Fuel management
* Race car management
* Understanding other Drivers
* How & when to psych Competitors
* How to beat any Driver
Workshop Topic #14: Winning the Mental Game of Racing
Conducted by: David Kenward, The Mental Coach
Part 1: Overcome obstacles holding you back. These include:
* Choking under pressure
* Procrastination
* Slumps
* Obsessive negative self-talk
* Self-fulfilling prophecies
* Fears/Anxiety/Phobias
* Inconsistency
* Mental blocks
Part 2: Improve your performance. This includes:
* Boosting your confidence
* Building your focus
* Getting in your “zone” on command
* Increasing your motivation
* Managing your stress
* Speeding your recovery from negatives
* Controlling your frame of mind
Workshop Topic #15: Professional Fan Interaction & Business Networking with Sponsors
Conducted by: Byron Goggin of Joe Gibbs Racing
* How-to be a professional at events
* Meet & greet Race Fans
* Make it a positive experience for the Fans
* Do great autograph signing sessions
* Be comfortable posing for photo ops
* Manners & etiquette
* Representing Sponsors
* Representing the Race Team
* Representing yourself
* Being a role model
* Fan relations: What Fans expect of you
* Keys to making a personal connection to Fans
* Paying attention to Fans in the different settings
* Pro race driver dress, grooming & appearance
* Working with Models at events
* Networking with Business People
Live Training Exercise Topic #15b: Fan Interaction & Business Networking with Sponsors
Live Motorsports Mixer: Attendance 500 Fans and Business People
* Meeting & greeting Race Fans
* Autograph & Photograph sessions
* Driver interviews
* 500+ Business People & Race Fans
* Pro race team open house
* Rigs & race cars on display
* BBQ dinner & no host bar
* Live Band & entertainment
* Business trade show exhibits
Workshop Topic #16: Advanced Chassis Tuning
Conducted by: Veteran Chassis Tuner & Crew Chief Ron Sutton 
* Comprehensive training of chassis dynamics
* Cutting edge spring set-ups
* Understanding “Big Bar / Soft Spring” set-ups
* Understanding “Coil Bind” set-ups
* Understanding “Bump Rubber” Set-ups
* Advanced shock tuning
* Covers all tunable aspects of modern race cars
* Advanced design, engineering and physics
* Understanding aerodynamics in modern race cars
Workshop Topic #17: Advanced Public Relations & Speaking Skills for Career Race Drivers
Conducted by: Byron Goggin of Joe Gibbs Racing
* What is Public Relations for Race Drivers
* What a Race Team’s PR director will expect of you
* Working the media to your advantage
* Using the Internet to your advantage
* Developing the Driver Image
* Writing and speaking skill development
* Keys to giving interviews
* Tips to talking on the PA
* Writing press releases / what to include / what not / timeliness
* Keys to giving quotes to media
* Communications with Team, PR, Marketing, Sponsors, Officials, Media & Sanctioning Body
* Secrets to impressive public speaking
* Speaking to a Sponsor’s Employees/Clients
* Speaking at a press conference
* Correct ways to answer easy, repetitive, tough & personal questions
* Differences with Radio, Television, Newspaper & Magazine interviews
* Making friends with the Media
* When to refuse an interview
* How to save an interview … and your career
* How to endorse sponsors without sounding so PC
Workshop Topic #18: Modern NASCAR Chassis Tuning & Aerodynamics
Conducted by: A Veteran NASCAR Crew Chief 
* Comprehensive training of chassis dynamics
* The NASCAR COT Race Car Design
* Understanding the "Truck Arm" race car
* Tuning & racing with radial race tires
* Cutting edge spring & bump rubber set-ups
* Cutting edge shock design and utilization
* All tunable aspects of modern NASCAR race cars
* Advanced design, engineering and physics
* Key information utilizing pull down machines
* How teams use 7-post shakers for chassis tuning
* Understanding aerodynamics in modern race cars
Workshop Topic #19: Understanding & Utilizing Data Acquisition in Driver Development
Conducted by: Race Engineer Kamal Amer
* What can a data acquisition system tell you
* How to read the charts, graphs and numbers
* How do you know it is accurate
* What does each piece of the data mean
* What kind of information is valuable … and not
* Tips to read and understand the data quickly
* Using the information to help the Driver improve
* Using the information to improve the Race Car
* The secrets of team building with data acquisition
Workshop Topic #20: Advanced Speed Secrets Boot Camp
Conducted by: Top Selling Author & Elite Driver Coach Ross Bentley
* State of the art mental preparation skills
* Effective visualization methods
* Focus yourself before each event
* Improve your qualifying
* Improve your testing & practices
* Improve your race “game”
* Get in “race mode” from the drop of the green flag
* Perform at your optimum performance every time
Workshop Topic #21: Leadership Skills for Career Bound Drivers
Conducted by: Veteran Career Development & Driver Coach Ron Sutton
* Mastering skills to work with all types of people
* Understanding how people think and decide
* Learn the “whys” behind their decision process
* Master how to influence and persuade people
* Understand the three powerful motivators
* Find each individual person’s hot buttons
* Gain proven methods to motivate people
* Use these tools to motivate the team around you
Workshop Topic #22: Preparing for Upper Level NASCAR Career Driver Development
Conducted by: NASCAR Veteran Spotter Bill Floyd
* What you need to know about each top NASCAR series
* Key secrets of the ARCA, Truck, Nationwide & Cup series
* Getting up to speed at new tracks
* Strategies for big tracks and longer races
* Being a smart Rookie with each step up the ladder you take
* What is the chain of command in professional race teams
* Politics inside professional race teams
* Working with new Crew Chiefs and Crew People
* Your role in team dynamics and chemistry
* When and how to give input … and when and how not to!
* Keys to developing communication with your spotter
* What to expect with and from your Spotter
* Radio communication tips & techniques
* How to become … and stay … a valuable commodity as a Driver
* Being a public figure … on your way up
Workshop Topic #23: Advanced People Skills
Conducted by: Veteran Career Development & Driver Coach Ron Sutton
* Understanding of how human beings are really hard wired
* Learn the four behavior drives all people have
* See what can be changed … and what can not … in people
* Learn why people you work with, behave the way they do
* Master how to work with every individual on your path
* Learn who to go to for what … and who not to go to
* Get clarity of who to surround yourself with on your race team … and career team.
Workshop Topic #24: Networking with Key Career People in NASCAR
Conducted by: Veteran Career Development & Driver Coach Ron Sutton
* How to approach key people
* Pro Team Owners, Managers & Personnel
* Semi-Pro Team Owners, Managers & Personnel
* Agents, Scouts & Other Creatures
* What to tell, ask and show … and not.
* Developing your resume package
20 On-Track Training Days for RSWC Drivers
These are not a "Practice Day" or "Set-up Test Day." Each of these on-track training days … is a "Driver Training Day" like nothing they have done before.
On-Track: Suspension Training 
A Driver needs to know when the suspension of the race car they are driving is correct … and when it needs changes. They need to know what it feels like … when any corner is too soft … or too stiff.
They need to know when the roll center is too high … or too low … by feel. They need to know when the front of the car is not balanced with the rear of the car … to give their race team critical feedback.
The challenge is … the race car has to be set-up wrong in one (or more) areas for the Driver to experience what it feels like … to know for future reference.
With a good race team, this could take two to three years of racing … for the driver to be in enough situations to learn the feel of all the possible incorrect set-ups.
In developing a young driver towards a career, you can’t afford to stay in each series two to three years … nor do you want the Driver to “learn” at races … when they should be winning.
Concentrated experience. That’s what this on-track training day achieves. We compress two to three years worth of situations into one day.
We move the roll centers too high … and too low … just so they will learn what it feels like. We make the race car too soft, too stiff and just right … corner by corner. 
They get to drive the race car with a lot of intentionally incorrect set-ups … to learn how each one feels. The Crew Chiefs explain and educate the Driver at each step. The young Drivers get to connect classroom training with real world on-track feel.
To say this program works would be a gross understatement. Past RSWC Drivers have ramped up so quick after this training … that they can give proper feedback to their Crew Chief and get good race cars … quicker than Drivers with a full year or two of experience in the same series. 
The first time we used this program (combined with 102% Zone Training) four RSWC Drivers went to their first race and ran faster times than the veteran racers from the series. Then at their second race ... these drivers that were brand new to RSWC, the cars, the tracks and the series … qualified 1-2-3-4 and won the race.
The drivers each told us that the Suspension Training made the difference. They knew what the car should feel like when the race car is right … and when something is off a bit. 
They could give good feedback to the Crew Chiefs … and got good handling cars in return. Remember this … the set-up can only be fine-tuned as good as the Driver feedback.
Now each race car is different. Each type of race car has a different feel. Weight, wheelbase, centers of gravity, polar moments, suspension geometry … and of course the brand, type and size of the tire used in the series … all play a role in how each race car feels when it is right … and wrong.
For this reason, we do “Suspension Training” in each type of car we develop RSWC Drivers in, including:
USAC Pavement Midgets
USAC Sprint Cars
NASCAR Southwest Tour Trucks
NASCAR Grand American Modifieds
NASCAR Late Model Stock Cars
NASCAR Camping World West / Grand National Stock Car
On-Track: 102% Zone Training 
Concentrated experience … again. We compress several years worth of racing experience into one day … to teach young RSWC Drivers how to find … and consistently drive at … the limits of their race car … with any set-up. That’s what this on-track training day achieves.
Drivers learn how to:
* Find the limits of corner entry speed
* Find the limits of corner braking
* Obtain maximum mid-corner roll through speed
* Find the limits of throttle roll on during exit.
Race tires actually achieve optimum adhesion and performance when the car is driven at 102%. Many great racers and veterans refer to this as being in “The Zone.” Driving a car at more than 102% is out of control, slow and often wrecked. Driving a car at less than 102% is not going to get a driver to a career. NASCAR is looking for “Star Drivers” … not “pretty good Drivers.”
Great racers can drive in the 102% zone consistently … because they developed the feel for it over the years. We help condense the learning curve for RSWC Drivers dramatically with this one-day on-track training course. 
We do this with varying set-ups. Don’t confuse this with Suspension Training. Each set up is “close” … but gives the race car different capability limits to the corner entry, middle and exit.
The Drivers learn how to get the most out of the race car period. Any set-up, any track, any conditions, any day. They learn how to achieve maximum performance out of the race car … and themselves. 
All of these things make the Driver faster at any track ... and ramp up quicker at new tracks. And that is what driver development is all about ... shortening the learning curve.
Drivers learn how to find the limits of each segment of the corner ... safely drive past the limits ... and then fine tune their driving points to drive the car in the sweet spot of "the 102% zone" that makes a race car really fast.We run data acquisition on the cars, so the Drivers can actually see where they gain lap time. With our state-of-the-art Satellite GPS data acquisition system, they can see:
* Where they are lifting on the throttle
* The rate of throttle roll off
* Where they are stepping on the brakes … how hard … and for how long
* The mid-corner roll through distance … and speed
* The point of throttle roll on … and how long it takes to achieve full throttle.
Again, each race car is different. Each type of race car has different limits in each corner segment … and they feel different. Weight, wheelbase, centers of gravity, polar moments, suspension geometry … and of course the brand, type and size of the tire used in the series … all play a role in how each race car feels when it is driven in the 102% Zone.
For this reason, we do “102% Zone Training” in each type of car we develop RSWC Drivers in, including:
USAC Pavement Midgets
USAC Sprint Cars
NASCAR Southwest Tour Trucks
NASCAR Grand American Modifieds
NASCAR Late Model Stock Cars
NASCAR Camping World West / Grand National Stock Car
On-Track: Day in the Dirt Car Control Training 
Dirt racing teaches some of the best skills a driver can have. Racing on the dirt provides an opportunity for drivers to master throttle control, brake control and overall car control … especially with a loose race car … because of the traction differences.
Most young Drivers … I did say “most” … that have only raced pavement … have not developed optimum throttle control, brake control and overall car control that driving on dirt can provide them. They are often uncomfortable in a “loose” or “free” race car. This greatly limits their value to top race teams, and needs to be overcome to achieve a career.
For this reason, we arrange for on-track training days … in the dirt, with top Dirt Race Drivers … for RSWC Drivers that have raced “pavement only” in their career.
Day in the Dirt Car Control Fundamentals with Cory Kruseman Coaching the Drivers
* Track Walk / Dirt Track Training
* 150 laps of track time
* Driver Coaching from Cory himself
* Four 25-lap Sessions in 180hp Ford Focus Midget
* Two 25-lap Sessions in 630hp Dirt Sprint Car
Day in the Dirt Advanced Car Control Training with Jimmy Sills Coaching
* Track Walk / Dirt Track Training
* 75 laps of track time
* Driver Coaching from Jimmy himself
* All Sessions in 375hp Midget
On-Track: Driver Development Track Days 
These on-track training days start with setting goals to improve when the Driver needs to … to reach the next level of their performance. We start by getting a clear list of specific areas the driver needs to improve their racecraft in … we prioritize these … and focus on improving them throughout a day of track time.
There is no pressure of tuning the car for the race that weekend, experimenting with set-ups, or anything else that gets in the way of the Driver, Coach and Crew focusing on the Driver learning, improving and growing.
We do these Driver Development Track Days in a variety of race cars to fit the current development level of the Driver, including:
USAC Pavement Midgets with Ron Sutton Coaching
USAC Sprint Cars with Tony Hunt Coaching
NASCAR Southwest Tour Trucks with Ron Sutton
NASCAR Modifieds with Ron Sutton Coaching
NASCAR Late Models with Eric Holmes Coaching
NASCAR Grand National Cars with Eric Holmes
