Sharper focus from Samantha Summerbell

SHE many not have moved on to the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) 2013 Young Driver Excellence Academy final round, but her three days at the contest’s regionals in Puebla, Mexico, on October 14 to 17 has had a clear impact on Jamaica’s Samantha Summerbell.

“I learnt a lot. It was a great experience,” said Summerbell, the daughter of racing legend David Summerbell Jr.

Her selection to the contest was a massive boost to the image of Jamaican motorsports as not only was she the first Jamaican to make it but she was also the only woman among the 12 regional finalists.

From the get-go Summerbell was dropped into the figurative deep end of the pool to be constantly evaluated for space in the final eight who would have a shot at the ultimate prize, a fully funded season of motorsport.

“It was a jam-packed day, and all of it was informative.” she said.

She added that during the process there was actually no feedback from the instructors as contestants were expected to be up and racing even at this level. Using small bike-powered, rear-wheel driven Legend cars Summerbell said it took a bit of getting used to, but she was eventually just as fast on track as the other contestants. Meanwhile, in the classrooms the other elements of motorsports excellence were taught, like fitness, nutrition, sports psychology and car dynamics.

“For you to be successful on the track, you have to first be successful off the track,” was the major lesson she said she took away from the competition.

Overall, Summerbell felt the Young Driver Excellence Academy was a real eye-opener and has changed how she now looks at the motorsports future. The key areas of personal change she’s taken away from the experience are an understanding of the vehicular dynamics and a higher level of confidence in her driving.

Even her illustrious father has noticed the new and improved Samantha.

“To have done what she has at this age only means her driving will be amazing as time goes on,” he said.

While her father wants to get her more seat time, by potentially expanding into rallying, Samantha says the Academy has given her the blueprint to where she wants to eventually go in her racing career.

“In the near future I’m looking at the Pro Mazda series,” she explained.

This was the same series that eventual winner 19-year-old Venezuelan Diego Ferreira competed in.