By Kevin Conway
While we have our sights set on a big weekend coming up in Indianapolis, we already have Italy on our minds and the final round of Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America
Picking up a race team and taking it to Italy is a massive logistical challenge. The World Finals are always that way for every U.S. team. We have to pack up everything we think we may need—or know we absolutely must have—to successfully operate the cars.
All of that gets crated up and shipped overseas, and we’re limited by the size of the crates and the space we’re allowed.
That means every decision matters. We can’t just take the entire shop. We have to be selective and smart. The tricky part is that there are so many small things you might overlook.
In Europe, fittings are different—everything from the electrical connectors we use to the nitrogen bottles that power the air jacks on the car. If you don’t think that through in advance, you’ll find yourself stuck at the worst possible time.
For me, the challenge is making sure every essential is accounted for, while also thinking ahead about the details. Overlooking something simple could have a major impact on our program during the weekend.
The World Finals are unlike any other race week on the calendar. The event begins with two days of testing on Monday and Tuesday. Those sessions are especially important for the U.S. and Asian teams, because the European teams have already raced at Misano earlier in the year.
They’ve got more laps, more data, and more experience on that circuit. The U.S. rounds run Wednesday and Thursday. That closes out the North American championship. The European and Asian championships also wrap up their seasons during the week.
Then the World Finals themselves begin on Friday and run through Sunday. That’s where it all comes together—the best teams and drivers from every region racing head-to-head.
All season long in North America, we go up against the best teams here. When you get to the World Finals, the competition steps up another level. Now you’re not just racing against the best in the U.S.—you’re facing the best from Europe and Asia as well.
That’s what makes winning at the World Finals so special. I’ve been fortunate to win it before as a driver. Corey Lewis, our competition director, has also won it as a driver. For me, it was back in 2013 and 2014.
In 2015, I actually finished second to Corey in his first win, and he went on to win again in 2016. Those experiences stay with you. To represent the U.S. and prove yourself against the very best in the world is always exciting.
For our drivers, Misano is mostly a new challenge. Fortunately, Corey and I both have raced there before—me in GT3, and Corey in both Super Trofeo and GT3. We can share our notes and experience, which helps.
Another advantage now is simulation. Misano is on iRacing, so the drivers can get a feel for the layout ahead of time. They can see the lines, learn the flow, and even experience the rain model, which shows where puddles form and where grip disappears.
That’s a tool we never had in the past. I always say a simulator can get you 90% of the way there. Natural talent brings another 5%. But that last 5%—the race craft, the wheel-to-wheel skills, the instincts—that only comes with real laps on track. That combination is what separates great drivers from good ones.
Racing in Europe has its own style. In the U.S., drivers tend to move each other at corner entry. In Europe, the moves are different. You’ll often find yourself being squeezed on corner exit, running out of racetrack.
Understanding those tendencies and who you’re racing against becomes critical. That’s why preparation matters. Watching video, studying how drivers race, and knowing what to expect pays off. The ones who prepare the best will see the results, and the ones who don’t will stand out right away.
Moving the cars and equipment is one challenge. Moving the people is another. Making sure every crew member has their passport, booking flights, arranging hotels, sorting ground transportation—it’s a long checklist.
Racing in a country where English isn’t the primary language adds another layer. Fortunately, we had a small taste of international racing earlier this year at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, so the team has some experience.
But flying across the Atlantic is still a big step. The important thing is making sure everyone is where they need to be, when they need to be there, and that they’re ready to work at the same level we expect in the U.S.
Misano is a unique track. It was designed for MotoGP, which makes it narrower than most circuits we race on in the States. It’s also highly technical. That presents a challenge, especially for drivers who have never raced in Europe before.
It’s not like the big, flowing circuits in North America. The rhythm is different, and the margin for error is much smaller. That, combined with the style of racing in Europe, is going to test our drivers in new ways.
The World Finals are the chance to measure yourself against the very best. It’s about more than just a race weekend—it’s about representing your region, your team, and in our case, the United States.
For RAFA Racing Team, it’s a huge opportunity. We’re still a young team, but we have the experience, the preparation, and the drive to compete at the highest level. If we can put everything together at Misano, we’ll not only close our North American season on a high note, but also show what we can do on the world stage.
Taking a team across the Atlantic is never easy. The logistics keep me awake at night—thinking through every crate, every adapter, every travel detail. But I also know what it feels like to stand on the podium at the World Finals.
That’s what drives me, and that’s what drives our team. The challenge is massive. But so is the opportunity. And for RAFA Racing Team, Misano is the chance to prove we belong with the best Super Trofeo teams in the world.
