Race car drivers participating in this year’s Grand Prix of Long Beach kicked off their busy weekend by visiting Long Beach schools this week.
As part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s educational series, professional drivers visit eight campuses ahead of the three-day event – which this year, will take place from Friday to Sunday, April 17-19 – and discuss careers, driver safety and more with students.
This year, Formula Drift and Super Drift Challenge driver Rome Charpentier visited schools on Wednesday, April 15, showing off his No. 171 Garagistic Racing BMW. On Thursday, IMSA drivers Renger Van der Zande and Nick Yelloly will also visit schools with an Acura ARX-06 IMSA GT Prototype race car, similar to the one they co-drive in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Students at Newcomb Academy screamed in excitement on Wednesday as they heard the engine of Charpentier’s racecar revving as it made its way into the school’s outdoor area. The third to fifth grade students listened attentively as Charpentier shared a bit about himself.
“It’s an honor to be here in front of schools and in front of the future of what is to come of this,” Charpentier said in an interview ahead of speaking with the students at Newcomb. “The Grand Prix is what started me in drifting, which is what started my career. I saw something called Super Drift, which they have Friday night and Saturday night at the Long Beach Grand Prix. That’s what got me started in racing. I saw it in 2016 and decided this is what I want to do.”
Formula DRIFT and Super Drift Challenge driver Rome Charpentier driving in his Garagistic Racing BMW into Newcomb Academy on Wednesday, April 16, as part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s educational series ahead of race weekend. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Formula DRIFT and Super Drift Challenge driver Rome Charpentier speaking to students at Newcomb Academy on Wednesday, April 16, as part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s educational series ahead of race weekend. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Students at Newcomb Academy in Long Beach ask questions to Formula DRIFT and Super Drift Challenge driver Rome Charpentier on Wednesday, April 16, as part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s educational series ahead of race weekend. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Formula DRIFT and Super Drift Challenge driver Rome Charpentier speaking about racecar driver safety to students at Newcomb Academy on Wednesday, April 16, as part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s educational series ahead of race weekend. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Formula DRIFT and Super Drift Challenge driver Rome Charpentier brought his #171 Garagistic Racing BMW into Newcomb Academy on Wednesday, April 16, as part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s educational series ahead of race weekend. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Formula DRIFT and Super Drift Challenge driver Rome Charpentier speaking to students at Newcomb Academy on Wednesday, April 16, as part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s educational series ahead of race weekend. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Formula DRIFT and Super Drift Challenge driver Rome Charpentier speaking to students at Newcomb Academy on Wednesday, April 16, as part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s educational series ahead of race weekend. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Formula DRIFT and Super Drift Challenge driver Rome Charpentier driving his Garagistic Racing BMW out of Newcomb Academy on Wednesday, April 16, as part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s educational series ahead of race weekend. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Formula DRIFT and Super Drift Challenge driver Rome Charpentier waves goodbye to students of Newcomb Academy on Wednesday, April 16, part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s educational series ahead of race weekend. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Formula DRIFT and Super Drift Challenge driver Rome Charpentier driving in his Garagistic Racing BMW into Newcomb Academy on Wednesday, April 16, as part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s educational series ahead of race weekend. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
During the discussion, Charpentier discussed growing up in La Costa, near San Diego, and how he was part of the special education program during his schooling — but he was still able to work hard and reach his goals. He also talked about his career in drifting and how he became a driver 10 years ago at 30 years old.
“Going from that and struggling in school,” Charpentier said during an interview, “to now being able to give back and watch other students and other kids be part of it is a really big deal for me.”
Tracy Murchison, the CEO of Murchison Consulting, helped facilitate the discussion between the students and Charpentier. Murchison has been working with the Grand Prix of Long Beach for several years to bring cars and racers to elementary schools and inspire the next generation of racers about the career and driver safety.
Charpentier told students about his suit, shoes and gloves that protect him from fires, and showed them his custom helmet that had Long Beach iconography. He also shared other safety features in the race car and the six different parts of the seatbelt that keep him strapped in.
Students raised their hands as they waited patiently to ask their questions, such as like: What is the hardest part about being a race car driver? What advice would you give to students who want to be involved in racing? How did you decide on the name and color for your car? What is your favorite part about driving fast cars?
While Charpentier talked about the adrenaline rush and excitement of driving fast cars, he also emphasized the importance of education in the many career paths in the racing world. Students wished him luck during the race weekend by chanting, “Go, Rome, Go.”
Charpentier said he hopes his visit inspires students to follow their dreams.
“It doesn’t have to be racing, it’s anything,” Charpentier said, “whatever their dream is.”