Google Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon Alexa
iHeartRadio
Podcast Addict
Podchaser
Deezer
Listen Notes
StitcherLearn what it takes to become a World Rally Champion and use the suggested actions to start your journey. A lot of those actions are equally relevant in other sports, business and life in general.
Martin Rowe
In 2003, Martin and I achieved the high point of our professional careers to date, when together with our fantastic team, we won the FIA Production World Rally Championship, the very first time that Subaru had won the title.
I’ve known Martin since the mid-nineties, and we’ve been great friends for close to 20 years. Originally from the Isle of Man, he now lives in Whistler Canada with his wife Claire and daughters, Toby and Willow.
As well as a World title, he also won the British Rally Championship in 1998 and the Chinese Manufacturers Championship in 2006.
In the show, we talk about how his Dad got him competing on a motorbike aged just 4. We also learn how he taught Martin to never give up. The determination Martin had to practice skills at 6 years of age, has stood by him in both competition and business.
He talks about channelling his energy using the flame of a candle and how he still continues working to improve his driving.
He tells a brilliant story of spending 2 days teaching driving efficiency to Ferrari’s latest Formula 1 driver signing, Carlos Sainz Jr, when he was aged just 15 on a frozen lake in Norway. It ended with a shootout between Carlos Snr, his brother, Carlos Jr and Martin. Who won? You’d better listen to find out!
Martin is a genuine honest hard-working family man, with a wicked sense of humour and I’m proud to call him my mate.
Here’s the suggested actions from this show.
- Set clear goals, be determined and hungry to do better and never give up
- Find a way to work on your balance and feel. Try something simple, like balancing a bike whilst stationary and build up the time. That extra feel and improved sensitivity, will help you find the edge of grip or traction, and give you a better brake feel.
- Use a technique like Martin’s candle flame to help you relax and focus before the start of a special stage. Remember, a relaxed concentrated state is the goal.
- Find the pivot or balance point of your car, usually around the dash or gear lever. That will help raise your awareness of how to maintain momentum.
- Find the optimum position for your hands on the steering wheel, to be more aware of the edge of traction. Be aware of how tight you are holding the steering wheel. The looser the grip, the more feel you have, and the movement will be more fluid. Guide the car as much as possible to again maintain momentum. As Burnsie used to say, “Pinkies out, concentrate like hell!”
- Zen steering – avoid taking your hands off the steering wheel, that means less sideways movement, therefore more efficiency = faster. Just ask Carlos Sainz Junior!
- And finally, synchronising bladders is very efficient – give it a go….
Check out Martin’s personal website: –
and his business website: –
http://cm2driverdevelopment.com
I hope that has been useful. Thanks to Martin for his input and to you for listening.
If you found this show helpful, make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss any future episodes.
If you could take just 60 seconds or so to write a review, that would be much appreciated. That will help me to reach out to even more people. Sharing the details on social media is also a great help.
If you’d like to get in touch, our email is info@stagebystage.com
Follow us on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/taagnew (@taagnew)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tagnew01 (tagnew01)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stagebystagefb
That’s all for now, until next time, stay safe and take care.