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GT World Challenge America

Racers in Isolation: Kyle Marcelli

Kyle Marcelli on his ‘teacup’ pet dog, daily driver and what he would do as President of SRO America for a day…

Photo: Amy Marcelli

Next up in Sportscar365’s Racers in Isolation series is defending GT World Challenge America powered by AWS Pro-Am champion Kyle Marcelli (Twitter/Instagram).

The Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 Evo driver tells us about his ‘teacup’ pet dog, daily driver and what he would do as President of SRO America for a day…

Where are you sitting out the COVID-19 crisis? 

I am home in Midland, Ontario, Canada with my wife Amy and our dog. This has to be the most consecutive days/nights I’ve ever spent at home!

What have been some of the challenges of staying at home for you?

At first, I treated the time at home simply how I would normally between races, which meant staying active with the gym and yoga, working on the technical and business side of motorsport, and working around the house (we are just finishing a two-year build on a new home).

But now, much of that has come to a stop. Of course, gyms are closed, businesses are watching their spending (which means race sponsorships are not top of the priority list), and building material stores have had to revise the order/pick-up process etc.

That said, I’m still remaining active with home workouts, spending more time on my race simulator and still able to do small jobs around the property.

What’s on your current playlist?

The Arkells followed by The Tragically Hip.

Do you have any pets?

Yes, one small dog. A teacup Yorkie.

What is your daily driver?

The daily driver is an F-150.

My wife and I are always traveling back and forth between home and the cottage, and four-wheel drive is a must when it comes to the northern roads in the winter months.

Also, we are pretty involved when it comes to construction and renovations on our home, investment properties, etc. I am always putting tools and materials in the truck.

It’s handy that way. And of course, it’s just large enough to fit my go-kart!

If you could be the President of SRO America for a day, what would you change?

Well, that’s a steep question. It’s likely easier said than done, but… Prize money.

If there was a way to generate more corporate series sponsorship that could result in significantly more prize money, this would be a game-changer. Right now, it costs the teams and manufacturers 10x what they can make back in prize money.

But, significant payouts for performance on track would bring more teams/cars to the grid, thus would generate more fan interest, more media interest, and likely more sponsor interest, etc.

Like I said, probably easier said than done. But, big payouts would be a game-changer for the sport.

What was your first job?

Once a driver, always a driver. My first job was a tractor driver at a strawberry farm.

The passengers would load up on my trailer and I would drive them out to pick their strawberries. Then, I would drive them back and wait for the next load of people.

What’s the one thing you are most looking forward to the first day you return to a race track?

I’m looking forward to a cool, early morning hot lap!

Photo: Amy Marcelli

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