Rich Bickle is getting into the driver coach and development business.
Paired with his on-track partner of the last five years, Tony D’Ambrose at T1 Racing, Bickle is set to spearhead a Midwestern based program with the goal of teaching young drivers the right way to race as they develop upwards.
“We have all the equipment to build this program,” says Bickle. “Trucks, haulers, cars, motors – you name it. We want to make sure that we do this right and have a program that can make a real difference in a driver’s development.”
This is being posited as a Wisconsin and Illinois based alternative to the southern-based development programs not only because that is where they are located but also in their conviction over the competition level in the upper midwest.
“We want our program based in the Midwest because we believe that’s where the best competition is right now,” said Bickle. “Any track you unload at in the Midwest is going to have you racing against 24 cars. Not 7. It’s a tough place to race and even tougher to win.”
Bickle has raced with D’Ambrose for years and have a combined 25 years of crew chief, consulting, driver coaching and data acquisition experience to their resumes.
“We’ve won a lot of races and championships throughout the years,” said D’Ambrose. “We’ve worked with many guys including Eddie Hoffman, Jim Weber, Blake Brown, and of course Rich. We’ve won hundreds of features and multiple track championships – we’re just racers who love racing.”
While the duo are seeking clients, they also are looking for racers who want to be more than just drivers, but a total package in the traditional mold.
“We want to find a kid that wants to learn how to do it all,” says Bickle. “The rare breed that has what it takes to wheel one of these cars but is also going to jump in and want to learn how to wrench on them, too.
“I’ve seen far too many kids jump right out of the driver’s seat, walk in the trailer and start playing on their phone. That’s not what this program is about and that’s not the type of driver we’re looking for.”
And he says the program will feature full transparency.
“I’m from the era where, if you want it, you have to learn how to do it,” says Bickle. “No one ever gave me a dollar. I’ve worked for what I’ve got and that’s the lessons we’re going to instill in the racers that come through this program.
“We’re going to be honest with you. No one wants to tell a kid that they can’t do something – but, if it’s not working out, then it’s not working out. There’s no sense in sugarcoating it.”
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Interested parties can contact Tony D’Ambrose for more information at [email protected]
Chip Revels
December 23, 2023 at 9:58 am
Instead of finding kids why don’t you find mature drivers who are champions at many of the local short tracks in this country and move them up instead of rich teenagers that know how to play a video game
Matt Weaver
December 23, 2023 at 11:39 am
It’s a business, not a charity
Kerri Huffines
December 23, 2023 at 7:48 pm
My kid just left College, in Kansas gave up a lacrosse position because he loves working on his late model and hobby stock. He had literally been in the shop since he got back. Has to come in when it get dark because our shop has no power.
He started when he was little always helping his dad. He is also a great driver, respected by many of the older drivers because he races clean, and goes to the outside. I have 3 sons that race, but he is the most mechanically inclined and is teaching his younger brother (14) all he knows in the shop.