motorsports management
Current Students
IndyCar Comes to The Abbey
April 23rd, 2011
The Belmont Abbey Motorsports sophomore class was lucky enough to be visited by Indy Car Series Team Manager Chris Mower. Mower, who is a veteran mechanic n single-seater including Formula One has been team manager of Panther Racing since 2005. Panther Racing has been one of the most successful teams in open-wheel racing, winning three IndyCar Series titles. Panther Racing is more recently known for their rookie driver J.R. Hildebrand, hitting the wall on the last lap while leading in the 2011 Indianapolis 500. Mower directed the class through the major differences between IndyCar and NASCAR. “I wish could be involved in a program like this when I was younger, the students of Belmont Abbey are certainly lucky”, said Mower.
Motorsports: International Perspective
Have you ever wondered how the rest of the world views the sport of NASCAR? Most of us would define NASCAR as the epitome of American pride and a sport that represents what we as Americans hold near and dear: speed, competition, risk, tailgates, and beer. Even though NASCAR is targeted specifically to the average American Joe, I find it interesting that as the American race fan patiently awaits what will happen with dwindling sponsorship dollars and ticket sales, so does the rest of the world. In a recent article published by a British news agency, BBC News, the writer blames the failing auto industry for the decline in team dollars, pointing out the possibility of a government bailout meaning taxpayers dollars funding NASCAR. As one guest speaker in our motorsports fundamentals class pointed out earlier this week, companies like Bank of America who required a financial "bailout" from the government to stay afloat continue to spend big money to put cars on the track because they believe the return on investment greatly exceeds the cost of sponsorship. While the sport of NASCAR is specifically tailored to an American audience, it continues to gain worldwide recognition for its ability to put cars on the track and fans in the stands, despite tough economic times.To read more at BBC News, click here.
Abbey Juniors Learn from A Master
May 2011
The Belmont Abbey Motorsports public relations and event management junior class was lucky enough to be instructed by motorsport public relations genius Tom Cotter. Cotter who is a native of Long Island, New York has been directly involved in motorsports public relations since the early 1980’s. He began at the Charlotte Motor Speedway under the watchful eyes of Abbey Alum H.A Humphy Wheeler. After leaving the speedway after five years, he opened his own public relations firm working with clients like Miller America, Western Auto, Maxwell House, County Time and Mercedes-Benz. Cotter sold his firm off to Clear Channel media group several years ago. Besides enjoying his time writing books and restoring classic cars at his beautiful home in Davidson, North Carolina, he also sits on the BAC Motorsports board of directors. Cotter’s vast knowledge of the sport along with a large network of former clients, employees and friends have given his students inside access to some of the most respected people in the industry. It is truly a blessing to every student who enters the motorsports program to be able to be instructed by such a great man.
