Get to Know: Dylan Murcott Part II

To some of us, he may just be Dylan Murcott the iRacer. To others, he is Dylan Murcott, driver for Mitchum Motorsports in the IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. Although his first start for the Mitchum Motorsports team came in 2013, Murcott’s real world racing career started in 2007 with motocross racing. He began racing SCCA cars in 2011, where he found great success, scoring 12 victories and 45 top five finishes in 57 starts spanning the course of two years.

Nevertheless, Dylan has had an uphill climb to get into one of the top sports car racing series in America, and in part two of my Q&A with the 21 year old driver, we talk more about his real world racing career, his ups and downs so far, and his plans down the road… (Follow Dylan Murcott on Instagram: @dylanmurcott, Subscribe to YouTube channel to watch highlights from his racing season this year: http://www.youtube.com/user/fastkid000:

Q:    You are currently racing in the IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. How do you think your team has done so far this season?
A:    We’ve shown great speed every race weekend. We just have had some really bad luck with losing a transmission at Daytona in the first 20 minutes . . . then losing motors at Sebring, Kansas, and Laguna, and getting wrecked out of fourth place, lap one at Watkins Glen. It’s been frustrating to say the least, but the second half of the year looks promising though!

Q:    How, in any way, have you used iRacing to help you this season for the IMSA CTSCC races?
A:    I’ve used iRacing a ton this year to help me prepare for tracks I’ve never been too. Before this season, I’ve never seen six of the 12 tracks, and doing hundreds of laps before each race weekend helps me a ton, since there isn’t a lot of practice time on race weekends.

Q:    What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge before the season ends?
A:    I would love to pick up a few wins this season since we’ve shown great speed all season long, just don’t have the results to show for it.

Q:    As of right now do you have any plans for racing next season?
A:    As of now, nothing planned. I’d love to be back with Mitchum Motorsports for another full year in CTSCC if the sponsor money is there.

Q:     How did you get started in real world racing?
A:    I first started off in motocross when I was 15, and after four years, and many shoulder dislocations and a broken neck I decided to hang up my motocross helmet. After that I went to the Skip Barber school, got my SCCA amateur racing license and went from there racing Spec Miata until June 2013.

“I’ve used iRacing a ton this year to help me prepare for tracks I’ve never been too.”

Q:    Where, when in what car was your first professional (real world) racing victory?
A:    I have yet to get a professional win in the 10 races I’ve done in CTSCC since June 2013. But I’ve picked up 15 SCCA Spec Miata wins, in 57 regional and national races, first at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway road course in August of 2011. I raced Spec Miata from 2011 to June 2013, which was when I got my pro license.

Q:    How has your real world racing experience helped you in sim racing on iRacing?
A:    It has given me a ton of confidence, and certainly has made me faster, and much more competitive than I ever imagined on here.

Q:    On the day of your first professional race in your career, how were you feeling? What do you remember from that day?
A:    I made my professional debut on June 29, 2013 at Watkins Glen. I had some nerves, but they faded fast. I remember my family and friends being there, which meant a lot to me. Also, I remember the race being absolutely crazy, with rain on and off, and a ton of crashes. Think there were five or six full course cautions in the 150 minute race.

“Racing is a very dangerous sport, so appreciate every second you’re on track. Even if it’s just a track day . . .”

Q:    What has been your most memorable race in your professional career?
A:    Hard to say since I’ve only done 10 pro races so far in my career, but it would probably traveling the country and racing on the some of the world’s most famous tracks. I’m living the dream!

Q:    What is your favorite track that you have raced on in your professional career?
A:    VIR is truly amazing. I tested there back in October ’13, and fell in love. We race there later in August, and I can’t wait for it!

Q:    Throughout your racing career, what has been the most important lesson you have learned about racing or about life in general?
A:    Racing is a very dangerous sport, so appreciate every second you’re on track. Even if it’s just a track day, or a race… Cherish every second of it, because life is short.

Q:    What are your favorite things to do in the summer?
A:    Hanging with my friends while they’re off from college and just having a good time, and making the most of the time that’s available.

Q:    What is your most memorable summer memory?
A:    This summer has probably been the craziest so far with all the traveling I’ve done. Racing one weekend in California, then the next weekend in Connecticut for example.

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