5 top priorities for your motorsport team in 2025
We’re officially in the first few weeks of a brand new year – which means you’re probably already looking to the year ahead, and what plans you’ve got for your biggest motoring events. Here at the Awning Company, we work with teams of all sizes, from small but mighty family teams all the way up to nationally (and internationally) renowned names. So, whatever your ambitions, you can always rely on us to have a bespoke commercial awning solution for you.
And if you’re still in the process of making plans and mapping out what your vision of success looks like in 2025, we’ve got a couple of ideas for the most important areas to prioritise as you look ahead to the next 12 months.
Plan for the season
Strong planning is always an excellent way to get the season off to a good start. So then, you may want to begin by reviewing the motorsport calendar, and identify key races where your team needs to excel. It’s also a good time to start thinking about securing sponsorships. Generally, sponsorship partners often require detailed proposals, so make sure to highlight your team’s achievements and future potential. And crucially, don’t hang around – early engagement with sponsors can help lock in vital funding and support.
Then there’s the matter of logistics, as they can make or break your season. At a very basic level, it’s worth double-checking that any transport solutions you’re using for cars and equipment need to be reliable and efficient – if any key vehicles are overdue a service for example, you’ll want to think about that! And of course, if you’re going abroad, don’t forget to factor in contingencies for international travel, customs clearance, and local regulations. Time you spend organising now can help save significant headaches once the action begins.
Set up the paddock
With all the time you spend grafting in the paddock, it can be surprisingly easy to end up thinking of the place as just a workspace. As well as that though, it’s also a showcase for your team’s professionalism. That’s one of the reasons why commercial awnings are quite so crucial, providing shelter for cars, equipment, and staff in all weather conditions. Plus, it’s a useful canvas (literally) for your logo and branding, helping to strengthen your brand in a notoriously competitive environment.
In a similar vein, you’ll also want to ensure that your pit area has the right tools and materials. From tyre racks to diagnostic systems, having the right gear at hand can streamline operations and reduce downtime during crucial moments. If you have mobile hospitality units, it’s also worth upgrading these to improve comfort for team members and visitors.
Strengthen team communication
Timing is everything in motorsport, and seamless communication is key to success. It’s a synchronised effort, and all your team members need to stay connected, whether they’re trackside, in the paddock, or behind the wheel. Mobile phones aren’t always enough, especially considering that some race sites have notoriously poor coverage, so instead you’ll want to look at equipping your crew with reliable communication tools, such as advanced radios or integrated systems.
It’s also not a bad idea to conduct regular training sessions, as simulating race-day scenarios helps team members understand their roles and react under pressure. Open communication channels and structured debriefings after each event can also help to foster a culture of continuous improvement, so that you can always have complete faith in your team to operate as a cohesive unit.
Engage with fans
Fans are the lifeblood of motorsport, and today you’ve got more opportunities than ever to connect with them. Whatever the size of your team, you’ll ideally need some form of social media presence, especially as it can help build a name for your team. What’s more though, you can also use it to provide behind-the-scenes content, race-day updates, and interactive Q&A sessions. A consistent online presence can turn casual followers into dedicated supporters.
On event days, it can help to take the time to make your paddock area an engaging space (wherever possible, of course!). If you’ve got the time and resources, you might want to consider things like branded merchandise, photo opportunities with drivers, and interactive exhibits can enhance the fan experience. Personal connections, such as greeting fans, signing autographs, and showing gratitude, can build long-term loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.
Focus on safety measures
Last but not least, you’ll need to look at safety. Of course, there are inherent risks with motorsport almost by definition, but these can still be minimised. (Indeed, there’s widespread recognition that the sport as a whole has become significantly safer in the last few decades – the introduction of HALO devices is one major leap for example).
There’s also the fact that regulations can sometimes evolve, and may be significantly different from country to country if you’re competing internationally. So then, you’ll need to double check that your cars and bikes meet or exceed regulatory standards, and it’s never a bad idea to look at advanced safety technologies such as crash data loggers and fire suppression systems.
By the same token, you can provide comprehensive training on emergency protocols and use of safety equipment. Keep first aid kits and fire extinguishers readily accessible in the paddock and pit areas, and regularly review and update your safety plans, factoring in lessons learned from previous seasons to create a safer environment for everyone involved.
These are just a couple of our suggestions – we’ll leave the final decisions up to you! As for us, we’ll maintain our focus on what we do best – providing truly exceptional bespoke commercial awnings that you can trust to go the distance.
Motorsports and equine and mobile tech are just a couple of our key sectors here at the Awning Company, and we have a long history of delivering flawless solutions for our customers across the North West, and can even offer a one-day fitting service. Feel free to take a look at our bespoke GH Awnings to see what we can do for you – and if you have any questions or need any advice, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 01204 544 900, and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can!