Karts to Cars, Brenna Schubert’s Racing Journey

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Crew Chief Brad: [00:00:00] Welcome to Screen to Speed, powered by Init eSports. In this podcast, we dive into the journeys of remarkable individuals making waves in sim racing and bridging the virtual with the real. From the thrill of digital circuits to the roar of real life racetracks, we explore the passion, dedication, and innovation that drives the world of motor sports.

We’ll hear from athletes, creators, and pioneers sharing their stories, insights, and the powerful ways sim racing is connecting communities and creating pathways into motor sports. So buckle up screen to speed starts now.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Welcome everyone, uh, happy CEO on any talks. Uh, today we got Brenna Schubert with us. Uh, she’s a racing driver for. For Prodigy Racing. Uh, [00:01:00] welcome Brandon. Happy to have you here. Thank you so much. I’m excited to be on. Yeah. So let’s start how you get actually into racing when bring you here and then go on to get to know you better today.

Brenna Schubert: Yeah, definitely. So, um, it was kind of funny. Me and my dad were at a miniature golf course when I was nine years old, and they had these little rinky-dink go-karts there that I just. Begged my dad to try ’em and as soon as my foot hit the gas, I just fell in love with the adrenaline rush. So, um, that was kind of the main start for me.

And then we kind of shopped around for some different go-kart places and eventually got into carting a little bit more serious. Kind of took it into my own hands to try and cart at more of a national level. And then, um, I got some [00:02:00] opportunities in a few different testing opportunities in cars, uh, through the PT Auto Sport, aspiring Driver Shootout.

And then, uh, found this racing prodigy opportunity in the Sims. So I downloaded Streetcar and started practicing on that mobile, uh, racing game. And earn my spot into the the Prodigy Racing League. Hmm. That’s awesome. Uh, so you actually started from indoor car carting, so, which is rent cart. Yeah. Right. Um, uh, do you have like, uh, big, uh, championships, uh, in United States with those?

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Uh, because I remember, uh. That I did some, you know, in, in, in Russia we had endurance championship with run cars, cart. Uh, it was, uh, really exciting, a lot of teams, uh, and, uh, like five people per cart. It was really awesome. So tell me more about this. I. [00:03:00] Yeah, definitely. We have a few, uh, really good championships actually in the United States.

Brenna Schubert: Um, we don’t quite have like the Sodi World Series that mm-hmm. A lot of other countries have. Um, I’m not sure why, ’cause we do have a lot of sodi rental carts here. Um, but we do have the touring cart championship. And, uh, endurance carting USA, which is kind of what you were talking about with a lot of the endurance racing.

Um, so when I first started out, I mainly just kind of started at. My home track, which would be the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix. Mm-hmm. And they’re one of the only gas indoor tracks left, you know, that aren’t electric. Um, so, and then me and my dad would travel around sometimes to find some of the, like Iron Man races or endurance races.

So we went to some tracks in Connecticut. Um, on track carting specifically. [00:04:00] And then, uh, you know, after I kind of did that for a while, then I started traveling more with the touring cart championship where they go to, um, a few different states across the East coast. And I also did some races with endurance carting, USA, where they go all over the country and they hold, you know, super long.

Upwards of 12 hour endurance races. I also did, um, a 24 hour endurance race with sim craft. Mm-hmm. That was really, really fun. That was in the, uh, a Briggs LO 2 2 0 6. Um, so that’s not quite a rental cart per se, but that was just an endurance race. But the rest of the endurance races that I’ve done have been in, in rental carts like that.

Yeah.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm. I think, you know, endurance racing, so exciting. Uh, I really like to do endurances in I racing. Uh. Because it’s different strategy. You know, you’re trying to save fuel, you’re trying to [00:05:00] save tires, and uh, like be careful on the track, uh, rather than pushing so hard like we’re doing in sprint races and short races.

Uh, so I think you like this format as well and Okay. And how you move actually from car to, uh, national car racing and. Can you tell me about difference? Uh, so like first time you jump into the car on the bigger racing track compared to what you had in the, in the cart?

Brenna Schubert: Yeah, so firstly, I definitely agree with, with you on endurance racing.

I love, I love those endurance carting races. They’re so much fun. But, um, yeah, when I first moved up to cars, my first ever experience in a car was the Lucas Oil Formula Car School. And uh, I believe my dad. Uh, got me that for my birthday. I was like begging him. He was pretty reluctant to do it, but there was the opportunity, um, at the time the Lucas Oil had a, a [00:06:00] shootout where if you just attended the school you were eligible for the shootout of the potential to win a full season with them.

So I think that kind of won him over a little bit. Mm-hmm. But my first time in that car. Was definitely eye-opening and a little humbling because you know, I was coming from winning all these carting championships and everything like that, and then I jumped into this car and I kind of expected to be good right off the bat, and that was not really the case.

So I still did pretty decent looking back, like I just expected to be the best in the school and I wasn’t. So, um. You know, it definitely was eye-opening, just kind of transitioning. I always thought that the transition from carts to cars went super smooth for everybody and that it prepared you for everything.

It definitely prepares you a lot, but I don’t think it’s. A super smooth translation for a lot of people. So I struggled there. [00:07:00] But, um, then my experiences after that were all in like sports cars and I felt really comfortable right away for the most part in the sports cars that I drove. So, um, I got the kind of the opportunity with a formula woman to drive some, some sports cars, and then eventually the.

Being selected for the PT Auto Sport Aspiring Driver Shootout, which is in the the Porsche Boxer. Mm-hmm.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s awesome. Uh, yeah, as you said, you know, uh, transition from cart, uh, not going as smooth as you expect. And, uh, because the same thing, uh, happened to me when I, uh, been, uh, joining the formal, the open wheelers after I’ve been like, uh, for many years in carting, uh, I was.

Wow, you, you actually don’t see anything like, uh, from cockpit and it’s, it’s, it’s, it’s horrible, you know? And, uh, you just realize the track is so wide, [00:08:00] the, the main street, you know, it’s real long and, uh, it took hours like to, to get till the end of it. Uh, so yeah, it took, you know, some time for me to get used to it also because view is, uh, completely different to cart.

Brenna Schubert: Definitely. And not only that, but I mean since we, we both kind of, it sounds like, kind of made that transition to formula. You have to, you know, the, the brakes you have to brake so, so hard and everything like that. And it’s just, it’s just com you know, not completely different, but it’s pretty different there and just a lot more intimidated.

’cause when you’re in a go-kart, you don’t really have to worry too much about crashing or anything like that. But when you’re in a car. If you crash, it’s either very painful or very painful to the wallet. So, or Yeah, that’s true. Like cars is so cheap compared to [00:09:00] racing on the big track. Um, exactly. Yeah.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah. You know, as you said, uh, you have to push brakes harder and, uh, you know, you, you can feel like, uh, G-Force is also more and, uh, yeah. So formal it’s, uh, completely different. Uh, I remember guys, uh, who’s been, uh, dating the track days and, uh, I’ve been doing formal these days and they like are coming to me and asking me, so they’ve been driving the Porsche G uh.

Gig free errors, uh, on the track. And they like, uh, tried to for a few laps formals and they like coming to me with a huge respect. Like, how are you doing this, this, this thing is so scary to drive on the track, you know? Yeah. So, yeah, it’s definitely, you know, formal. It’s a great experience. Really fun cars.

Brenna Schubert: Yeah.

Big props to you for [00:10:00] doing that. I would like to, at some point, try out a formula car again, now that I have some more basic car knowledge and basic mm-hmm. You know, skills that way. I think it definitely was super intimidating as a first experience in cars, but I’m sure it’ll still be intimidating as a.

You know, secondary experience, but hopefully I can at some point jump back in to see if I’ve, I’ve conquered that, that intimidation or not, but. Yeah, definitely was more experience. Uh, like it’ll be easier to do and, uh, you know, more fun to have, uh, for you for sure. Um, so let’s, uh, dive deep into, uh, like car racing and all this stuff.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: So what’s your favorite combo, uh, which you’ve been driven? Uh, like the, the car and, and the track also in real life, so. Probably my overall favorite combo would have to be, uh, [00:11:00] the Racing Product U Radical. Mm-hmm. Um, at Homestead Miami because I just kind of really jived with that track. I did really good mm-hmm.

Brenna Schubert: Um, on that weekend, and it was the first kind of time in that car where I was like, okay, you know, I have the pace to win and I feel really comfortable on this track. However, I do have to say my first, uh, well actually technically my second experience in a car, ’cause the first time was the Lucas Oil School.

Mm-hmm. But, um, the second time in the car was with the formula woman. Uh. Finals in, you know, north America, they’re held at Calabogie Motor Sports Park in Canada, and it’s not a super well-known track. Mm-hmm. But, oh my gosh, that is the prettiest and coolest track that I’ve been to since, I mean, it’s just, it’s super long.

It’s about, it’s over five [00:12:00] kilometers, so you know, over three miles and. It’s absolutely beautiful. It has the coolest turns that I’ve ever been on, like the coolest combinations. And I went during the fall and it’s like in the woods with all the pretty orange leaves. So it was just absolutely beautiful.

But, um, I was only driving like a scion, um, FRS there, I believe. So it wasn’t a super, super, you know, interesting car necessarily. Mm-hmm. The track was just amazing. Yeah. Yeah. Canada is so beautiful, uh, with nature and everything. Definitely. Um, what do you like the most in tracks? Uh, like for me, uh, I really like, you know, up hills downhill, uh, some blind corners.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Uh, that that’s really, you know, like, uh, get, get me excited, uh, real like road Atlanta. I, I would like to, would love to [00:13:00] draw. Drive this track in real life, uh, if I will have opportunity. Um, I also had, uh, some races with formulas. We had, uh, the cousin ring. This is, uh, the track which I drove with was formula.

It was with a blind corner. It was really scary, you know, just going uphill. Then you, you’ve got a moment where you’re breaking, you’re like breaking and, uh, you know. Uh, taking the breath and then jumping, uh, into ss, which going down, it was really exciting. So what about you? What, what’s your, like, what’s favorite, uh, like about the, the track for you?

Brenna Schubert: I’d say, so my, my favorite thing is just. Whether I feel like it flows or not. Mm-hmm. Like if I can, if it’s a flowy track and I can just get in the groove, it’s so much fun. Mm-hmm. And just feels great when you’re out there. I’m sure you’ve kind of had similar experiences, but, um, I’d say probably where.[00:14:00]

I’ve found that I do like the best at is kind of high speed tracks. Mm-hmm. For some reason. Um, which is kind of weird ’cause I feel like I’m like, you know, I, I feel like I take tight corners pretty good, but for some reason if it’s more of just kind of high speed corners or anything like that, I feel like I typically do the best at those types of tracks.

Mm-hmm. But, um. Just any track that flows and has a lot of, like you said, interesting corners and elevation changes into dips and corners. Those are, those are so much fun and really feel really good to drive.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, I absolutely agree with you. And, uh, you, you mentioned, uh, the radical championship, so how you actually get into this, uh, as I’m aware there was some kind of league, so we get into it and then, uh, get opportunity to drive into the championship.

Um, so tell us more about this. [00:15:00]

Brenna Schubert: Yeah, so, um, I. Didn’t have my own SIM at the time, and I actually technically still don’t have my own sim. I’m just lucky enough to have some race car driver roommates who have sims as well. So, um, I, I get to use their sim, uh, pretty much whenever I want. But, uh, since I didn’t have my own physical sim, I decided to try and enter the Racing Prodigy competition through Street Cart, which is a mobile game on your phone.

And that’s where some of the selections were being made for the, uh, racing Prodigy Shootout, which was in the real cars. So, um, I just had to post. A top 50 fastest time to then be eligible to send in a video on why I should be selected for the shootout. Mm-hmm. Um, so I got in the top 50 on the [00:16:00] game and then sent in.

My video was selected for. The kind of final judges pick. And then I actually wasn’t selected by the judges. Mm-hmm. Um, but they ended up, there was, it was me and one other driver, Camden Hibit, which they found that they saw a lot of potential in also, so they decided to, uh, give. Two extra Prodigy pass passes for the shootout, which were awarded to me and him.

So that was really, really awesome of them, and really nice of them, and nice of the sponsors to allow ’em to do that also and give us the shot that we were looking for.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: It’s really interesting. Uh, you got selection event with a mobile game. Yeah. Right? Yeah. That’s really funny. You know, I, I never heard, uh, that you can get, uh, like.

We, we know, uh, some examples where, uh, [00:17:00] actually, uh, people who’s in some racing, they jumping into the real world of racing and get into selections. Uh, like, you know, for example, the grantor ismo, um, academy or something like this, but never heard that, uh, you know, actually the mobile game can bring you to the real life racing.

Brenna Schubert: Yeah. And I think, you know, the reason that they. Mainly, you know, had streetcar as a part of this opportunity is ’cause racing Prodigy is trying to find the best of the best from, you know, all around the world and just give opportunities to those who don’t have them. So, um, you know. People might not be able to even afford a simulator to mm-hmm.

Enter this competition through iRacing or, or R Factor or the other platforms that Racing Prodigy was selecting from. So I think it’s really cool that they kind of included [00:18:00] street cart, the mobile game in there to give that opportunity to anyone who can just download a game on their phone. Um. And honestly the, the selections or the drivers that came from Streetcar, a lot of them, them did really, really well in real life.

’cause I think mainly, even though it’s just a carting game, it still teaches you all the lines and mm-hmm. Car control and everything like that. So, um, yeah, it was really interesting to see how they progressed throughout and it’s really cool.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah. You know, it’s really nice. Uh, you also mentioned that, uh.

You know, it’s more open for more people because not everybody got opportunity to got a, a simulator, uh, at home, the r or not enough room, or not enough, uh, like budgets, uh, or something. So it’s really nice to see that, uh, they found a way to, uh, bring more people into [00:19:00] selection event. Uh, really Cool. Uh, tell me more about, uh, radio SR one.

Uh, the car, uh, this is a prototype and, uh. It should be somewhere between, yeah, the, like the road car, like GT car and formula. So what’s your feelings about this car? Uh, do you like it? And, uh, yeah. So gimme more your emotions about it. So I definitely love the car sometimes. It doesn’t love me back though, but No.

Brenna Schubert: But, um, I love the car, I love driving it. It definitely feels very similar to a go-kart. Um, you know, before I had an experience in this car, a lot of people say that it, it feels pretty much exactly like a go-kart and they’re right. But the problem is, I. Have been kind of out of carting for a while, so I have to kind retrain my brain to drive, like I’m in a go-kart [00:20:00] again.

So it’s actually, even though I came from carting, it’s like harder for me because I’m so, I’m so used to now driving heavy sports cars mm-hmm. And having to be super smooth with my steering and, you know, easing off of the brakes for, you know, trail breaking and everything like that. Mm-hmm. In the radical, you really don’t.

I have to trail break that much and, you know, in especially, ’cause right now I’m, I’m working as an instructor at the, uh, Ron Fellows performance Driving School and Spring Mountain, where we’re driving Corvettes and Cadillacs all day long. Mm-hmm. And my muscle memory is, you know, firm on the brakes initially and then pretty much almost immediately start.

Trailing off the brake. Mm-hmm. To turn into the corner and then just coasting for a while, then getting to gas, but like. In the radicals, you have to hold that firm pressure for way longer. Mm-hmm. And, [00:21:00] and then just kind of immediately come off and immediately get to the gas. So it’s kind of hard for my brain to switch off from Corvette mode into radical mode.

But when I am driving and I love it, and I’m like, this feels so good. Like, I feel like I can catch the car really easily too, for the most part. It’s just amazing and fun to drive. And it’s an, it’s a physical workout too, and it feels good ’cause I haven’t really been able to find a car that’s, you know, almost the same physical workout as Go-karting.

Mm-hmm. So, um, the radical is a, a pretty good workout and it just. It’s super, super fun to drive. You feel like you can really feel the arrow kicking in as well, even though the estro ones actually have less arrow than the other radicals. But, um, you can definitely feel the arrow and it’s, it’s a blast to drive.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, you know, it’s really sounds, uh, like the form of four [00:22:00] and, uh, form masters, which I draw. Uh, so yeah, you really have to like push brakes and then release as, uh, as soon as possible, uh, the brakes and, uh, jump into the corner, uh, because you don’t need that. Long trail break in, uh, because car got IRO, so IRO help also with it a little bit.

Yeah. So you need to just transfer the weight to the front and then car going to do everything for you and you just, uh, return back on gas as soon as possible. Uh, so it’s really cool. Yeah. Um. It’s, you know, uh, about the Corvette. I can’t imagine, you know, this is really heavy car and like with a big engine, uh, that, that would be, yeah.

Really hard to switch to radical because it’s really light and, uh, nice, uh, car to drive. Yeah.

Brenna Schubert: Yeah. It’s kind of funny because, I mean, I should be better at driving the radical, I feel like, because [00:23:00] my, I grew up in carting. Yeah. And that’s my main background. But because I’m driving these Corvettes every single day as my daily job, like now, it’s kind of screwed me, screwed me for my radical damage.

But I think I like. For the most part, you know, I think I got the hang of these radicals really well. I, you know, at, for example, the Homestead Miami race, I performed really, really well. Um. It’s just sometimes it, you know, after the first session, the, the coaches are always telling me, looking at the data, well, you need to, you’re entering with too much, you know, momentum.

Mm-hmm. You need to stay on the firm pressure longer. Um, and I’m like, Ugh, what the heck? Like, I’m just trying to take this for like, you know, but. Um, yeah. So, but once, once they tell me that, it usually registers okay, I’m in radical mode, Brenna not Corvette mode. Mm-hmm. So, yeah.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: All right. That’s really [00:24:00] cool that you, uh, adapt, uh, to the car and, uh, actually had fun with it.

Um, really nice engineers, like, uh, save them please. Uh, they helping a lot with telemetry and all this stuff for us.

Brenna Schubert: Definitely. Yeah. I mean. Big thank you to the engineers and the coaches and everything. It’s so, it’s so cool what they, you know, and how much we benefit from it too. It’s, it’s awesome.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah. So, uh, moving forward, uh, let’s talk a little bit about, uh, that you, uh, global Ambassador of the Fi Girls on Track and also, and also you are eSport Cup winner, uh, of it.

Uh, so yeah. I’m ready to hear a story from you.

Brenna Schubert: Yeah. So that, that opportunity was, was really cool. Um, I basically was just scrolling on [00:25:00] Instagram and I found the advertisement from the FIA about the eSport. And I was like, okay, you know, I need to practice on, on the simulator more anyway, so I’ll go for it.

Didn’t really expect to get a top time because I, like I said, I act, I don’t have my own simulator and I don’t really. Um, consider myself a super good simulator racer. I actually typically only use the sims that are available to me for just practicing tracks that I am going to soon. Mm-hmm. So I’ve actually, I don’t think I’ve ever actually done an official I race, race before.

I just go, I just go on the sim, like to do open lapping. So, um. You know, once I saw that it was a time attack and not a race, I was like, now we’re talking. So, so, [00:26:00] um, so, um, basically I just, I just got on the sim and I did like. 500 laps. The other girls that won their region only did like less than a hundred, but I had to do like 500 to get a good time.

Mm-hmm. And just was practicing, practicing. But I’m really glad that I did it because it really, um, I think is gonna help me in the future. I, I find myself already getting faster, much quicker on the simulator when I am do, am practicing other cars ahead of my races. So I think it’s really gonna be beneficial, especially since with the racing prodigy stuff, I saw how good some of these sim racers were as soon as they jumped in the real life car and they didn’t even have any real life car experience and they just jumped in and were quick right away.

So that’s something that I’m trying to work on because I find myself getting up to speed, but not as quickly as some other people. So I’m trying to work on that [00:27:00] using the simulator to do so. But anyway, um, I ended up posting the fastest lap time after 500 laughs for, uh, north America and Central America.

Mm-hmm. So, uh, yeah, they reached out to me, said that I, I won my region and then, uh, we got to be. Um, eSport ambassadors at the Girls On Track event at the London Formula Race. Mm-hmm. And that was really cool. It was the first time going to the formula race and we’re supposed to go, um, again, to one of the upcoming F1 races as well.

So I’m looking forward to it. And, and, uh, it was super great interacting with all of the, the girls on track. Mm-hmm. Girls, they’re, they’re so great and I, it was really cool ’cause um, one of the girls that I’m friends with on Instagram, uh, her name’s Andy and she messaged [00:28:00] me and was like, oh my gosh, I’m gonna be at the Girls On Track event.

I’ll come up to you. And we met and we were. Uh, talking about her go-karting. She’s an Irish Go Karter. And, uh, I was coaching her on the Sims. Mm-hmm. And she did amazing on that simulator. She’s gonna be a really good race car driver when she’s older for sure. But, uh, yeah, so it’s just so cool, you know.

Getting to kind of meet these young girls in carting or, or other aspects who you actually kind of know online and then meet them in person just from around the world. It was, it was really cool.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, it’s definitely, I think, nice experience. Uh, as we got here in the, in talks also, I, I made a lot of, uh, girls, uh, who’s like in motor sports industry.

They. Either like designers or racing drivers, uh, or coaches. So, yeah, it’s really cool to meet [00:29:00] people from your industry, share your experience with them, uh, especially if they only on the beginning, only starting their way, uh, into the, the racing. It’s really nice. Um, do you feel, uh, do you have any like stereotype because you’re a girl and they’re in racing or not?

Because, uh, personally I had some, um, it was really funny, uh, when I get into the formula, I was like 17 years old and, uh, here in Kazakhstan, they used to have articles, uh, you know, topics about me that, uh, girl without a driving license. Uh, because you know, people don’t understand that you got racing license.

Yeah. So it was really funny. And you know, when I wasn’t a formula, I also was like alone. So boys, they’ve been together with each other, like having fun, uh, talking and uh, doing all the stuff. I was alone, [00:30:00] like, uh, and uh, do you have something like this in your ex experience or not? So I totally get you. I mean, when I was younger and I first started out in carting, I was like, what are these people talking about that girls are treated differently in motor sport?

Brenna Schubert: ’cause I didn’t get that at all when I was first growing up, uh, in carting. I felt like I was treated perfectly, fairly and everything. And, um, it wasn’t until I kind of got on. Social media and people are able to hide behind the screen. Mm-hmm. And then say kind of bad things about me on their phones or something, because they’re not seeing me in person.

But I think in person also too, because I’m, I’m five feet, 11 inches tall. Mm-hmm. And I, I think sometimes I’m a little intimidating to people, so I think, I think in person it wasn’t as bad because I don’t think anybody was [00:31:00] going to. Say hateful things to my face or anything like that. But there, there are definitely, you know, some, some joking stereotypes or.

Even at my job, uh, since I’m an an instructor, you know, sometimes the students, they’ll, they’ll, you know, lightheartedly make some jokes about, um, being a girl driver and, and, but then I, I take them for their. Demonstration lap where they’re in the passenger seat and I’m, I’m driving the car for them, driving their car to kind of show them a, a good lap.

And then after that they don’t, they don’t say anything anymore. So, yeah. But, um, I mean, for the most part, I don’t, I don’t think anything has been super, super bad for a while. Some of my carding competitors, when I first got started in the national. Series, they were [00:32:00] giving me a lot of hate online. Mm-hmm.

Because, like I said, I was making, I was making a lot of TikTok videos at the time, so I guess maybe they thought that they were, I was making like racing related tiktoks and I think they maybe thought that they were a little cringey or something like that. So, making fun of me a lot there. Um, and sometimes it would translate on track.

They would try and put me off. The track and stuff like that. But other than that, everybody, for the most part has been pretty great. Um, but I do see for sure stereotypes coming into play at times throughout my life.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, definitely. You know, we’ve been, uh, talking about, uh, like different communities, different, uh, countries and how, uh, like, uh.

Girls got experience, uh, there. And the only thing which I noticed that, you know, formula can be a little bit more competitive, so people like, uh, more, more aggressive. Uh, and uh, overall, [00:33:00] uh, racing community is really friendly for everybody. Uh, for example, for example, that are racing. And racing is really cool.

And, you know, met some people, uh, with this. Comments. I, I really like, like women and, uh, and a cup of coffee, you know? Yes. Oh yeah. It’s so funny. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And, you know, couple of times really and, uh, most of the time, uh, community are really friendly. They super supportive and so nice. And it’s cool to see that, uh, more girls seem to like jumping into the sim racing and, uh, racing as well.

It’s nice to see.

Brenna Schubert: Yeah, definitely. I mean, there’s, there’s so many more girls involved just over the past few years. Yeah, I mean, when I was growing up there was, there was nobody like, you know, I was always the only girl in my events. Um, in the US I think there’s still. Not many girls in carting. [00:34:00] ’cause a lot of times when I do a carting event, I’m still usually the only girl in my class.

Mm-hmm. But sometimes there are a few others, but I think in other aspects like of, of car racing in general, I think there’s. A bigger population of girls now, and on sim racing as well. It’s definitely growing in all areas, but I think especially in those for sure.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, I think the reason of it, uh, just because, you know, ing uh, this is a place where people jumping when they young, when they like nine years old, six years old, or something like this, like maybe that.

A little bit harder to do for some people because their family not aware of racing at all. And then they like, uh, jumping into their twenties 25 and they’re like, oh, I can raise the car on track. So yeah, I think that that’s why, uh, we can see a lot of, uh, girls, uh, like I think in the United States also, we’ve been talking about that in drag racing.

Uh, a lot of girls and in car [00:35:00] racing and. Like everywhere. But you know, ing I think it’s, uh, a little bit, uh, you know, niche, uh, of racing. Uh, where are you getting because of your family, first of all? Yeah, definitely. All right. I would have to think. Yeah. And moving forward, what’s your plans for this year and upcoming years?

Uh, what do you plan to do and what’s your dream?

Brenna Schubert: Yeah, so first and foremost, fingers crossed that I’ll get redrafted for the Racing Prodigy series next year. ’cause I definitely want to continue racing radicals and just being a part of that program is, and their mission is absolutely amazing. Um, but then I’m also at the end of this month gonna make my NASCAR Euro series debut in the Rookie Challenge.

So I’m super excited about that. Uh, one of my [00:36:00] roommates made their, uh, NASCAR Euro Open series debut, um, a few months ago at Brand’s Hatch and. I was just kind of talking to them about it and I was like, you know what? I want to try one of these cars. So, um, I’m just starting out on the rookie challenge though, ’cause I’ve never been in any type of stock car before.

So the rookie challenge is pretty much just. Almost like a time attack. Mm-hmm. Uh, but, but there is a competition to it. Um, so I just starting out in that for now, getting my bearings in the car and then hopefully I can go for a full season in NASCAR Euro next year. Maybe try and do an actual race before the end of this season.

We’ll see. Um, but yeah, I’m super excited about that. It’s gonna be in, uh, chea, uh, at Auto drum [00:37:00] moss or most, I’m not sure. I’m not sure on the pronunciation. Do you know, do you know the pronunciation by any chance?

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Um, I think, I think you’re right with pronunciation. Yeah. I dunno. Yeah. But it’s. You know, I’m aware of this track.

Uh, it’s in, uh, it’s in a race room, uh, simulator. Okay. So you can find it here.

Brenna Schubert: Yeah. It’s a super fun track and it’s definitely flowy. It seems like, like I, I think it’s gonna be my type of track, but, uh, we’ll see. I’m kind of hoping that like if I end up doing. Good. And I feel really good in the car after like the rookie challenge.

Maybe I can just like jump in a car for the race, but We’ll, but probably, probably not. But um, you know, I just. I’ve been driving it on, on one of my roommates simulators, and the track just feels amazing. I’m, I’m so excited for it. [00:38:00] So I’m hoping that that kinda all works out. And then, um, you know, for next season in NASCAR Euro, and then hopefully at some point I can transition over to American nascar.

It’s just, hmm. A lot more of this than over in Europe at the moment. So, um, but you know, I’ll be looking for some sponsors for NASCAR Euro series and hopefully I can transition back to my home country here for mm-hmm. NASCAR at, at some point later on in the journey.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah. I’m actually, you know, really jealous and, uh, so happy for you, uh, because.

I jump into racing and I’ve been like, racing and foremost, and I discover ovals and I’m like, oh my God. I, I would like to try the car at least for once on track. So yeah, it, it, it’s going to be great for you. So wish you good luck, uh, in NASCAR and hopefully we go on to see you in like Xfinity [00:39:00] and uh, CAP series in the future.

Brenna Schubert: Hopefully. We’ll see. Yeah, I mean, you know, I think like a lot of us. Um, you know, it’s just, obviously it’s, it’s a lot about money these days. Um, not necessarily talent, but that’s why I’m so thankful for the opportunities that I have had. Over the years. Mm-hmm. Um, with the, with all the, the shootouts that I’ve been involved in, you know, the, the pt, auto Sports Shootout, the, um, even the Formula Woman Shootout, the Mazda Shootout, and then the Racing Prodigy Shootout, which ultimately gave me my, you know, my most shot in a professional racing series.

And it’s just incredible what these companies are doing, um, to try and fix. The issue at hand because no other sport has this issue really, it’s, it’s pretty much just racing. So it’s just so cool that all these [00:40:00] companies are. Or trying to help out and have these shootouts just honestly from the kindness of their heart, but for their passion for the sport and passion for helping us out.

So, yeah.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, it’s, uh, nice to see. I noticed in some raising the same stuff like, uh, companies getting vault into it and, uh, like bringing more money, bringing more prize money for people also to give them opportunities in their life. And, uh, definitely it’s, uh, cool to see that, uh. In racing, we got, uh, the same stuff.

I also, uh, so happy about my experience, which I had because I’m not from Rich family, like we started ING and then we get sponsors, uh, here in Kazakhstan. And then I get into the team and, uh, actually so grateful for this experience. And yeah, it’s, it’s really cool that, uh, you know, companies. Uh, jumping in and, uh, realize that racing also can be fun and they can support drivers and, uh, [00:41:00] they can be their ambassadors.

And I think it’s really important and what you did for your career already. You did, uh, cool networking. Yeah. And, uh, I think it’s going to help you in the future anyway. Well, thank you. Yeah. That means a lot and I mean, yeah, props to you as well for, I mean, I would absolutely love to drive a formula car too, so I’m jealous of you.

Brenna Schubert: You’re jealous of me. Maybe one of these days we can trade places or something.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Alright. Yeah. And the last one will be, uh, what advice can you give to girls and boys, uh, who. Want to, uh, jump into the racing, uh, doesn’t matter if they like six years old or 2025 or maybe 45. So what your advice will be for them.

Brenna Schubert: So, I mean, it’s gonna sound like a cliche, but. I always tell myself, ’cause [00:42:00] sometimes I hear these cliches and I’m like, oh, it’s just a cliche.

And then I really think about it and I’m like, wait, that actually has some meaning to it. But really, I mean, truly follow your dreams because, and just don’t give up on them. Because really if you don’t give up on them and you’re working towards them every day, you’re gonna make it. I mean, I, people tell you this all the time, but I feel like you don’t really believe it.

But, um, you should because just, you know, for instance, when I was in middle school. I told my guidance counselor, uh, that I wanted to be a race car driver when I grew up. When he, when he asked, uh, you know, what type of careers I’m looking into, and I said, well, I’m gonna be a race car driver. And he starts laughing.

Mm-hmm. You know, in my face and was like, well, maybe we should come up with another plan. But it’s, you know, if he saw me now. Look who’s laughing, but, so, [00:43:00] so yeah, like, you know, really just follow your dreams and don’t believe anything that anybody says. If you know that you can make it yourself, then go make it.

Because I mean, even my parents, they were. They, we were going through a struggle period because they did not like that I was spending all my money on racing. Mm-hmm. And they really thought that I should just give up the dream. And then like six months later I got the racing Prodigy opportunity, I got the PT auto sport opportunity, I got this job in the, um, you know, instructing industry.

And that all happened, you know, right after. That period where I was really going to head to head with my parents. It was a really rough time for all three of us because I just was not giving up on this dream and I wasn’t going to, but mm-hmm. It worked out and now they’re ultra supportive of me because I made it.

So don’t listen to anybody but yourself. [00:44:00] Really keep pushing for that dream if it’s truly what you want.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, absolutely agree with you. And also want to add a little bit that, uh, community is really friendly and, uh, if someone would like to jump into racing, same racing, uh, like ing uh, they should go here.

Uh, people going to welcome you and support you in your way, uh, give you advices and uh, um. Maybe you’ll get the opportunity to jump into like bigger racing team and, uh, on big tracks as well.

Brenna Schubert: Yeah, definitely. And, and if anybody listening or watching, ever wants, you know, any feedback or advice or anything, feel free to reach out on Instagram or anything like that.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: So. Yeah. Uh, so guys, don’t forget to follow Brenna on her Instagram and just share the link into the chat. Uh, Brenda, thank you so much. It was, uh, absolutely amazing to talk [00:45:00] with you. You’re gorgeous. Uh, so yeah, wish you good luck.

Brenna Schubert: Well, thank you. But you should have heard me talking to my roommates earlier because I was like, I was like, oh, because I just got home from work like a half hour before the podcast started and I was like, oh, like I can’t straighten my hair.

My hair’s a mess. And I was like, I was like freaking out. And they’re like, they’re like, Bruna, you look fine. And then you say that, and I’m like, oh my goodness. No.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Hey, I just, I just had like a one hour sleep before the podcast, so all good. Well, you look beautiful and your red lipstick looks gorgeous too. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. So yeah, wish you good luck. Uh, once again, thank you so much for your time. It was really fun. Uh, guys, thank you so much for watching. We’ll see you for next, uh, need talks.

Thank you. And thank you Brena.

Brenna Schubert: Yeah, thank you guys.[00:46:00]

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