Mat Williamson’s Excited To Help Next Generation Of Racers As Part Of Turning Point Driving School

Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – ST. CATHERINES, ONT – It’s helped him in the past, and that’s why, when the opportunity presented itself for young Mat Williamson to be a part of the annual driving school for racers at Merrittville Speedway, he jumped at the chance.

It’s called the Turning Point School Of Driving & Set-Up, and on Saturday, April 7th at the Speedway, along with fellow racer Chad Brachmann and his father, Randy, from Bicknell Racing Products (BRP), Williamson will make sure every person in attendance gets the necessary tools to make them successful on track in 2018.

“My Dad & Pete (Bicknell) always did a school it seemed,” Williamson said. “They did one each spring for about 15 years. They sold Merrittville last year, but even with the sale, they still did the driving school.”

However, things weren’t going to work out for a session in 2018. That’s when Mat got involved.

“This year, my dad was still interested in doing the school, but Pete didn’t want to,” he said. “That’s when Don Spiece (the new owner of Merrittville) approached my Dad, Chad and myself, about putting one together.”

Williamson jumped at the chance to do something where he can share his years of experience, even though he’s young, to the new generation of drivers.

“I’m excited about it,” he said. “We’re going to cover everything. In the morning, my dad will be doing an in-class session that will teach about things like setting up your car, getting it balanced and how to troubleshoot problems you’re having. It’ll be about, basically, everything you need to know to get started in this game.”

Then, it’s time to hit the track.

“In the afternoon, after lunch, all three of us will be handling the on-track part,” he said. “That’ll be aimed to help everyone, whether you’ve had 10 laps on track or 1,000.”

Over the years, several well-known drivers have hosted driving schools. The likes of Bicknell, Kenny Tremont and Brett Hearn, have lent their expertise to drivers looking to better their skills and knowledge of their cars.

“We find that when you have another driver specifically watching you and what you’re doing on track, there is always ways you can get faster,” Williamson said. “Throughout the year, Chad and I will bounce ideas off one another on how we can improve. We find that it helps out so that’s what we plan on doing here.”

All three will be doing what they can to help each driver who hits the track. That includes, getting inside their head as they make laps.
“We’re going to have one-way communication with the drivers while they are on track,” he said. “Hopefully we can give them tips on things we’re seeing to help out. I’m excited to see how it all turns out.”

Just as most race tracks hold pre-season warm-up sessions to help teams get the bugs worked out with their cars, the Turning Point School of Driving & Set-Up won’t just be about ‘book learning,’ so-to-speak. The time on the track will be invaluable for any racer who takes part.

“Actually getting your car on track helps big time,” Williamson said. “Anytime you can get your program rolling before your competition, it’s a huge advantage. Whether it’s getting all the bugs worked out of the car, or getting yourself back into the swing of things, this will give you a huge advantage when opening night comes.”

Spending three hours in a classroom setting with a notebook and pen learning the technical aspects of a race car may be more tedious than three hours strapped into an open-wheel machine, but Williamson believes the two go hand-in-hand when it comes to making an all-around impression on a team and driver.

“The track time definitely is the more ‘fun part’ of the school,” he said with a laugh. “I mean, nobody likes being in a classroom, right? However, that’s certainly the place you’ll learn more.”

When it comes to chassis set-up, Randy Williamson from BRP has been around for many years and has aided in thousands of victories for many drivers from Big Block Modified to Sportsman.

“My dad has been around this deal since the dinosaur ages, so he’s seen pretty much everything there is to see,” he said. “There aren’t many questions he can’t answer. He’s taken part in a ton of these schools and has a pretty good routine to cover everything you’ll need to know which will work out very well.”

The main goal for Williamson in being part of this school is having the chance to give back to the sport that has given so much to him over his short, but very successful, career.

“I want to do whatever I can to help the next generation of drivers as well as anyone that is looking to make their stuff better,” he said. “Things like this have helped me in the past, and I think this is a great opportunity for anyone to advance their racing program. Whether their just starting out or have been racing for years. It’s really a cheap way to get to the next level.”

Don’t delay if you want to take part. Space is limited, so if you’re interested in signing up, call Don Spiece at 905-708-5534 to get on the list or you can e-mail him at donspiece.merrittvillespeedway@gmail.com .

Specifics:

• The cost of the school is $400 per car and driver and $75 for each crew member (limit 2).
• You must provide your own car for the on-track session.
• Doors Open at 8a.
• Classroom is from 9a-12p.
• Lunch will be provided from 12p-1p.
• Then, it’s time to hit the track from 1p-4p.
• Make sure you bring your transponders so your lap-times can be recorded.