MAC CLARK
Mac Clark recently became the youngest Canadian F1600 champion of all time and has no plans on slowing down any time soon.
How did you start racing and what made you stick with it?
"I got into racing because of my father. I ran around the karting track as a little kid and my interest grew. When I was 10, we decided to give it a go, I fell in love with karting immediately. In the early stages, I think it was more about me spending time with my dad than racing itself, my passion grew for the speed, competition, and the people surrounding racing. I decided I was committed to racing and we took the program to the next level."
How has your relationship to racing evolved over time?
"As I gained more of a passion for racing, we moved on up in competition. After two years of karting at a small club, I knew I wanted more. We then committed to competing on a national level in two different classes. As we grew into international competition and now car racing, it became a bigger commitment on and off the track. Now I live for racing, for speed, for the winning feeling. I love my sport."
Does your life as an athlete affect your personal life? Do you ever find it difficult to balance the two?
"Short answer, yes. As a teenager, it's sometimes difficult for me to juggle racing and school while also trying to have time for friends. I know racing is what I want to do so I work hard to try and keep everything balanced. Last semester in school I made Honor Roll in the Gifted/AP program, school is very important to me. I know that even if I succeed as a driver, I must also succeed as a student. And try and have a social life somewhere in there! I use scheduling to get everything done. Making goals and planning things out helps me balance out my life and still be very productive."
What’s your philosophy on how to succeed in racing? Does that translate to life for you?
"My father always told me: “You are the only one who can help yourself”. Meaning that if you truly want to succeed, you have to want it, and you have to strive towards these goals. That is one thing I apply to my racing and my everyday life. Whether it's in school or at the track I know that I have to work for my goals to succeed."
You mentioned that most drivers, like you, start their careers driving go karts and that it usually remains a passion throughout the rest of their career. Even to the point where drivers enjoy go karting more than Formula racing. Can you explain why and which do you prefer? What sets the two apart and how are the experiences different?
"Karting is where almost every formula car driver starts. It is incredible. The sheer speed and talent it takes to win an international karting race is next level. Karting builds the right mentality and skills for drivers to move up. The physical brutality of a shifter kart is unmatched, and your reaction times must be quicker than in the car as everything is smaller. The physicality and unforgiving nature are the reasons professional car drivers train in shifter karts. The cars are in some cases more forgiving, and the grid may not have as many drivers but the speed is faster and climbing the ladder to the top is rewarding. The two are different but it takes a skilled driver to win in either. I wouldn't say I enjoy one more or the other, but I can see why car drivers gravitate back towards the roots of their career."
What does training look like within racing and what goes into becoming a better driver? What separates great drivers from good drivers?
"Everyday training is a must to be a successful driver. Just like any sport, the more you practice your craft, the better you will become. Practicing in all conditions is important to stay sharp. A day includes a physical workout, a mix of strength, and cardio training. I run, swim, or use the elliptical for cardio. Strength training includes push-ups, sit-ups, planks, and kettlebell exercises. Being in top physical shape helps a driver put 100% of their effort into the racing. Mental training on the simulator is also a key exercise. Great and Good drivers are separated by the number of mistakes that are made and their ability to learn on track. At the top level, everyone is fast. You have to find other ways to beat your competition. Adaptability and mistake minimization are key. A driver's physical and mental health is a key factor in their on-track performance."
What role does technology play in developing your skill as a driver?
"The two biggest tools we use at the track are analyzing both data traces and video footage from the car. The data systems help the engineers see things in the car that they would not be able to access, these programs are used on a bigger scale in the top tiers of racing such as Formula 1. Sensors tracking speed, G-force, wheel movement, and throttle/brake position make up the majority of the traces. The data also help drivers understand how to improve their on-track speed by overlaying speed traces from lap to lap to see what works and what doesn't. The video footage plays a similar role. Both engineers and drivers will study the footage to get a better understanding of the car and the driver. Session and post-weekend debriefs are also common. This leads to improvement in both the racecar and the pilot. Technology is a very important part of racing."
What goes into finding or creating a good pit crew? What would you describe the relationship between driver and crew to be like?
"A good team is made up of great people you can trust and want to win, this is key. For example, this year I moved to race with Britain West Motorsport (BWM). I was immediately welcomed by everyone under the tent. As a driver, this gives you confidence. Having a supportive team makes it easier to do my job. A good relationship from crew to driver should mirror what I feel I had at BWM. If a driver is giving it his/her all, then your team will do the same, this wins races and ultimately championships. I could work and communicate successfully with my Team Principal, Engineer, and Mechanic to make our on-track performance better. Whether it was about me or the car, you must be able to problem-solve and dig deep with your team to reach the ultimate goal, winning. Not to mention we had a ton of fun too!"
How has success within racing influenced you as a person?
"Racing has given me something to work towards. It inspires me to do my best. I have a goal and I want to achieve it. Racing pushes me out of my comfort zone and has led me to do some great things. Winning has given me great confidence and has shown me I can achieve anything in life."
How does losing in competition or failing to meet your goals affect you mentally?
"I actually just wrote an essay surrounding the opinion that losing is our best teacher! In my mind adversity exposes weak points. Fix these weak points to become stronger. I carry this mindset with me. This belief occurred to me through racing, yet I will continue to apply it to my everyday actions. Everyone faces hardship, use it to move forward. Look for the positive and take it. Loss is the best teacher."
Congratulations on recently becoming the youngest Canadian F1600 Champion of all time! That’s an incredible accomplishment and obviously puts you in some elite company. Could you describe how it felt to accomplish this? Having accomplished this, what do you have your sights set on now and what are you currently working towards? Both within racing and within your life.
"Crossing the finish line in that last race to clinch the championship was incredible. A moment I will never forget. Winning this championship is a summary of the 6 years of effort and development in my career so far. Big wins like these are extra fuel for an athlete. Achievements like this reassure you that your dreams are possible and you can make them a reality. Moving forward into 2021, I want to build on this success. I will take everything I have learned and use it to become better. Our plans for the future are still up in the air, but whatever they end up being, I will continue moving up, testing faster cars, and building my skills. Right now outside of racing I'm focusing on school, I aspire to become a motorsport engineer. I look forward to whatever comes my way next in racing and my life."
If there is anything you would wish to elaborate on or share that has not been discussed yet, I encourage you to do so here.
"Right now we are actively looking for sponsorship & partners to put together a multi-year program to climb the North American racing ladder to become a professional driver. I would also like to thank my family and supporters for all they have done for me. My family has been with me since the start. When all the other kids had professional mechanics and coaches, I had my dad, and it was great. We learn and win together, and will for the rest of my time racing. Then I have my mom and little brother, who are my biggest fans. What I’m trying to say is I feel racing has had such a positive influence on my family and I am grateful for my family who has been by my side and always supported me."
-
-
Share