Words by Dwayne Alexander

Dominic Storey is one of New Zealand's brightest young motor racing prospects and is on track to become the next big name in international motor sport.

The youngest ever Formula BMW Asia scholarship winner, Dominic Storey has been karting - and winning - since 2000. His Formula BMW Asia debut saw him take podiums in China and Thailand. In January of this year he was earmarked as one of the most promising young competitors in Taupo's A1 Grand Prix.

Having just competed in his first full season in the Toyota Racing Series with the benefit of a UK Formula 3 testing programme with Raikkonen Robertson Racing, the now eighteen-year old is in pre-season testing for the upcoming European Series, and is working on securing the funding of NZ$1 million dollars that is needed to compete at this next level.

Profile

Full Name: Dominic James Keith Storey

D.O.B: 15 /10/89

Lives: Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand

Hobbies: Keeping race fit and playing golf

Goal: To be the next kiwi F1 driver

My Favourite Time of the day is...(and why)

My favourite time of the day would have to be when I am training as I can reflect on the past and also focus on what I have infront of me in the future.

I first knew I was a racing driver when...

I won the 2006 Formula BMW Asia Scholarship as the commitment of BMW Motorsport confirmed I had the potential to be successful.

I really enjoy...

Success, racing and following friends in motorsport.

List a few of your recent accomplishments that you are proud of:

• Qualifying on Pole at the A1GP event in Taupo 2008
• Setting the Lap Record for Toyota Racing Series at Taupo 2008

Did you celebrate them? How?

Not like I should have as the race results did not reflect my pace due to mechanical failures. But yes I enjoyed the moment with my Engineer and family.

I am busy at the moment doing:

Preparing for a season in Europe by keeping mentally and physically fit and also working on a scheme to fund my path to my ultimate dream of Formula One.

My big hairy audacious goal this year is to:

Succesfully compete in selected events in Europe and secure a full season drive for 2009.

I knew I was onto something when:

I raced my tricycle around the house from the age of 2.

My secret for getting things done is to:

Give everything 100% and finish everything you start.

My darkest hour was when:

Finding out a fellow racer and good friend was killed in a racing accident at age 15.

I came through it by:

The support of family and friends.

If I wasn't a racing driver I would...

Be involved in Motorsport and probably be a chef!

How old were you when you first started getting noticed?

I always had the support from my family and when I won the 2006 Formula BMW Asia Scholarship I began to get noticed by the wider Motorsport community.

What will you do after Motor Racing?

I will help the younger generation drivers achieve their goals and retire to a wife and children.

What do you do to cope with stress?

I like to try and spend some quite time on my own.

How many hours do you work each week?

I spend at least 10-12 hours per week physically training and the other time is spent driving racing simulators to keep my eye in and working on a funding scheme to fund my path to my ultimate dream.

What do you do when things aren't going your way?

I don't stress too much as Motorsport is full of highs and lows and with every low there is a high!

What is the most important piece of advice you'd give to people who are struggling to create a positive change in their lives?

Nothing is impossible and everything in life is achievable.

What is the hardest lesson you've had to learn in life/ sport?

The hardest lesson is to learn to take the disappointments in life and in sport.

What separates successful people from unsuccessful people?

Successful people will always show commitment in everything they do whereas unsuccessful people tend to take the easy options in life.

Do you have any daily rituals that help you keep focused and in the right mental state to succeed?

I try to stick to a weekly plan with my training and I wake at 7.30 every morning and have breakfast before doing some sort of cardiovascular exersise as this kick starts by metabolism and allows me to focus on things infront of me.

What was your background before you started what you are doing now?

I have always been involved in Motorsport, right from when I was born, whether it was supporting my Dad and Uncle race or racing myself. Before I began racing cars I raced karts from the age of 8.

Do you have any school/study qualifications?

I always tried my hardest at school and even though I was not an academic student I showed commitment to my studies and did my best in amongst my Motorsport commitments. I completed up to the end of 6th Form at Saint Kentigerns College.

Do you have any other interests at the moment?

Yes!!

What are the three most important personal qualities you've had to develop to become a successful person?

Commitment/Dedication/Self Responsibility

What are the three most important skills that you would advise up and coming youngsters to develop?

Commitment, dedication and definitely self responsibility as not only in Motorsport but in all aspects of life to achieve your goals you have to apply all of these skills.

Do you have any role models?

My parents and my Motorsport heroes, including Michael Schumacher and more recently Lewis Hamilton.

Do you have a formal goal setting process?

I personally list my goals when necessary but at one time I only have one goal I am focused on and until that is achieved I don't set another.

Have you ever been scared sitting on the startline? What did you do about it?

No I never fear anything in racing as when I am in the car I am in control.

What comes first...success or confidence?

Confidence as to be successful in anything you have to believe in yourself and have confidence in your ability before you can reach success.

How do you build confidence if you're not a confident person?

Whether you have confidence or not you should always have self belief. Without this you cannot be successful.

The Parting Shot: When I feel frustrated that things are not coming together as I wish, I proceed to:

Try to correct the problem and look to see what I can do to improve it.

 

Article by Dwayne Alexander. 
Dwayne is the founder of http://www.livemygoals.com/