Hindman's Transition From Champion Starter To Winning Finisher

On paper, it might appear that Trent Hindman took a step backward in 2015 IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge competition. He went from being the Grand Sport (GS) champion in 2014, winning two races among six podium finishes, to placing eighth in the 2015 standings, winning one race and taking three podiums.

In reality, the 20-year-old New Jersey resident’s career took a giant leap forward. After being the starting driver for Fall-Line Motorsports last year – and then watching John Edwards finish the race – Hindman took on the role of finishing driver this year, watching Ashley Freiberg qualifying and start the No. 46 Trim-Tex/IHG Rewards Club BMW M3, and then finish the race, battling against the established stars of the series.Hindman ended the year with a solid week. After winning the Continental Tire Challenge finale in the rain at Road Atlanta, Hindman traveled to the Czech Republic, where he won a 12-hour race at the Brno Circuit with fellow BMW Junior drivers Victor Bouveng and Nick Cassidy, and instructor Dirk Adorf.Hindman took time from watching his Baltimore Ravens to talk about his season on the eve of the 2015 finale.Trent, what are your thoughts on your second full season in the Continental Tire Challenge?“To be honest, it’s difficult to measure up how fortunate we were last year. But overall for me, this year has been unbelievable in the learning department. Ever since John (Edwards) did not come back to co-drive with me, I’ve had to take his role within the team. It’s taught me a lot about the leadership aspect, not only being able to be the aggressive driver for the finish of the races – and ultimately try to win them – but really trying to be a leader and help those around me and those who support me towards our ultimate goal, which is winning races and the championship. “Unfortunately, we had a little bit of bad luck throughout the year. But that’s the way it goes in motorsports. But the way the whole Fall-Line team has been able to rebound from that bad luck is unbelievable. I’m very grateful for that, along with the support of Trim-Tex, IHG Rewards Club, Top 1 Oil and especially BMW and BMW Motorsports.”What’s the biggest difference in being the finishing driver, from the competition standpoint?“It’s a much different dynamic. As a starting driver, your job is to set that one (qualifying) lap. It’s unbelievable how hectic that lap can be sometimes! Fortunately, we were on the pole a few times last year, and that helped us, especially at [Mazda Raceway] Laguna Seca, where we went on to win. But when it comes to starting races, it’s all about management and being clean, making sure you bring the car to your co-driver in one piece, without a scratch on it. At least that’s the goal, it doesn’t always happen that way!“Now, being the finishing guy, I’m in the position when I am in the position where I am racing against guys like Robin Liddell, Lawson Aschenbach, Billy Johnson. They’re very quick and very aggressive, not afraid to put a bumper on you or lean on you a little bit. That’s something that’s taken me a little while to get used to, to build up that aggression. That’s how it is, especially in GS, as competitive as it is. That’s something I’ve been in a position to learn this year, and it’s certainly helping me in my endeavors, both here and overseas as well.”As a qualifying/starting driver, you had a teammate to go to with any questions. Now, you’re the one who’s expected to have all the answers. From that point, how was the transition to being a finishing driver?“It’s taken every race to get better and better with that aspect, being able to help Ashley [Freiberg] improve her driving, but also to help improve her ‘racecraft’ as well. It’s something I will be working on improving for the rest of my career. I try to share as much knowledge I have at this point with her, and try to improve on it. At the end of the day, I also have to make sure I’m constantly improving myself and my own driving. John [Edwards] was very similar last year, he was a great mentor, and I hope I’ve been a great mentor to Ashley as well. It’s a difficult balance, to do the best you can while sharing as much as you can. That ultimately what builds the team up.”What doors has racing in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge opened for you?“Racing here is what ultimately got me involved with the BMW Motorsports Junior Program. My very fortunate and very successful season last year is what turned at least some heads at BMW Motorsports. I was really very lucky to be able to build on some of those connections to ultimately end up on the Junior Team. Here in the states, being in the same paddock as the TUDOR Championship – and next year in the WeatherTech Championship – and being able to meet the characters in the different classes also is opening doors to the future. My ultimate goal is to continue the progress upwards. I love racing in GS and I hope I can continue, but I also want to be in a GT car at some point as well. Having the opportunity to share the paddock and to be able to be with the ‘big show’ every weekend has given me the opportunity to continue networking and trying put together a program for next year.”