Discussing Winning Strategies

Philosophy

Lynx Philosophy

Lynx Racing's philosophy can be summed up in two words "education" and "balance." Because Lynx is a driver development program as well as a racing team, the focus is on education rather than immediate results. When the driver (or any member of the team) reaches a full understanding of the task, the goal and what it takes to get there, results (in the form of on-track performance) automatically follow. Balance is a necessary mental skill because it is not possible to reach the top levels of auto racing with on-track skill alone. A driver, and every team member, must be able to balance the elements of effective communication, a 'big picture' view and the ability to quickly size up any situation and make the best of it. Every team and organization needs these qualities in order to excel, but Lynx Racing is unique in having developed a training program to teach these specific skills.

Proof that this philosophy works in demonstrated not only in the team's two championships and 39 race wins, but also in the fact that every time a Lynx Racing driver takes to the track, it's a reasonable expectation that they will set the fastest lap, win the pole and win the race. They may or may not do these things on any given day, but it is a reasonable expectation that they will. Lynx has been a top team in the Atlantic series for more than a decade, and every driver who has graduated from the program has moved up to compete at the top levels of the sport.
 
Lynx Racing Co-Owner - Peggy Haas
"The drivers we choose for the Lynx program already have a clear idea of where they want to go, and that's a necessary beginning but it isn't enough by itself. Racing is far more than just getting in a car and driving fast. At the top levels it's a business, an art and a spiritual quest. To succeed at it takes structure, direction and the help of people who understand the goal and what it takes to get there. That's what Lynx does."

Lynx Racing Co-Owner - Jackie Doty
"Every driver that comes into the Lynx program has the same potential, to be a champion at the highest levels of the sport, but each has different needs and will travel a different path to get there. The challenge we face is not just to train them to be fast drivers, which is an expensive and complex but fairly straightforward process, but to develop their mind and spirit into something clear and powerful. Each of them reacts differently to this, and we vary the process to suit each driver, but the ones who finally 'get it' are true champions with an unlimited future."

Lynx Racing Team Manager - Steve Cameron
"Being team manager, test driver and driving coach results in quite a full schedule, but it really is useful in terms of getting as much information as possible across to these young drivers in the time they're with us. And it really keeps me on my toes because I have to be as fast as they are or they won't take me seriously. Somewhere in the process there comes a point where the pupil becomes the master, and that's exactly the goal Lynx Racing has in mind every time we sign a hot young driver. It's a good system, but it's also a little hard on the egos involved -- theirs when they first get here and find that some old guy is faster in the car than they are, and then on mine when they get it figured out and start beating my times. Having been on both sides of the wheel gives me a unique perspective when working with a young driver. No matter how fast they inherently are, there is a process that they need to be guided through to turn them into winners. Communication is the key to that process, and when we achieve it, winning comes naturally."