The Academy of Motorsports Requirements: Foundational Motorsports Certificate: 1 or more required motorsport course each year of attendance; Advanced Motorsports Baccalaureate: completion of all Carlisle graduation requirements plus a minimum of three courses per year in motorsports related courses.
*Foundation and Advanced Certificates of Excellence from The Academy of Motorsports can be earned by completing course requirements in addition to the regular diploma in designated courses.
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
ASSUMPTIONS FOR YEAR ONE
Students will spend mornings in academic classes at Carlisle School followed by motorsports training in the afternoon 4 days per week.
A minimum of one day per week on track at Virginia International Raceway in Sprint TAG karts -- "touch and go" Rotax liquid-cooled 125cc engines
Students will be interviewed/tested to establish the appropriate individualized training program. - Driving simulators will be a major part of training.
For students who have reached a level of proficiency on the track, additional cars are available for rent with appropriate instructor oversight. Car options include: dirt karts, Legends oval track car, Legends road course car, a 2-seat road course, NASCAR Late Model Stock car, an oval track NASCAR Late Model Stock car, Rolex GT car, and NASCAR Grand National Division car. These cars can be tested at a variety of tracks within the area including (but not limited to) Virginia International Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, South Boston Speedway, Motor Mile Speedway, and Ace Speedway.
CORE CURRICULUM
Core Curriculum: The Academy of Motorsports (TAM) will implement the curriculum through a rich combination of classroom instruction, hands-on lab and field experience, field trips, and guest speakers and lecturers.
Concerning the student’s understanding of the car and its capabilities:
Weekly driver training on the track and the simulator
Race car design and engineering
Data acquisition and interpretation
Engine and drive train fundamentals
Chassis and handling fundamentals
Fabrication fundamentals, hydraulics
Understanding Shock, Chassis and Engine dynamometers
Electronics and engine ignition systems
Potential Off-Site Visits and Workshop Opportunities
Tracks: Martinsville Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, South Boston Speedway, Motor Mile Speedway, Ace Speedway, Road Atlanta, Virginia International Raceway
Sprint Cup Team Shops: Roush-Fenway Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, DEI, RCR, Penske Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Gillett Evernham Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Wood Brothers, Bill Davis Racing, Petty Enterprises, and others.
Truck Team Shops: HT Motorsports, Bobby Hamilton Racing
Manufacturing and Testing Facilities: Riley-Mathews Racing (factory Rolex Grand-Am team and chassis manufacturer), Arrington Engines, Virginia Tech College of Engineering, NASCAR Research and Development Center, Langley wind tunnel, VIPER lab at VIR with 8-post shaker rig, Old Dominion University chassis dyno lab.Motorsports away from the car, including developing a comprehensive person for the industry:
Schedule management and logistics
Physical and mental fitness/nutrition/safety equipment
Sponsorship development and public relations
Motorsports marketing and management
Leadership and team dynamics
History of Motorsports
Guest Speakers and Lecturers
Current and former drivers from various racing series including NASCAR and open-wheel racing
Racing team owners, crew chiefs, team managers, engineers, marketing and licensing experts, sponsorship development experts
Prominent authors and racing historians, motorsports television personalities, racing commentators, media experts and journalists, fitness and nutrition consultants.
