While most 16-year-olds are simply originally levels of envisioning what they wish to do in maturity, Josh Pierson has already begun making historical past in motorsports. Last 12 months, he gained the 1,000 Miles of Sebring, which was his debut race—making him the youngest-ever FIA World Endurance Championship race winner.
In June, he grew to become the youngest driver ever to compete within the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans motor race. Signed to United Autosports and with the PR 1/ Mathiasen group, Pierson has 5 wins and 15 podiums below his belt. The Wilsonville, Ore. native may very well be the rationale endurance racing begins to pique American curiosity once more, or he may take a look at his abilities in different racing disciplines. The solely certainty appears to be that you can be listening to his identify for years to come back.
Pierson not too long ago unpacked a few of his race day necessities for Muscle and Fitness as he prepares for this weekend’s 8 hours of Bahrain. Right from his Ogio Rig 9800, we dove into every part from his peanut butter M&M’s to what he’s taking part in on his journey guitar throughout his downtime.
- Ogio gear bag: This is a race journey should for me. This one has over 200k air miles on it!
- Hans gadget: This is a neck brace aka my guardian angel for my security. The Hans gadget attaches to my helmet and the belts go over the Hans. Your head can nonetheless transfer a bit of bit, nevertheless it stops sooner or later. The Hans, the belts and the seat that you just’re in are taking lots of the drive versus your neck. It has saved lots of drivers and it’s now required to race.
- Knne pads: My knee pads are newer and are additionally fireproof. I used to be struggling bodily within the automotive and knee pads are an effective way to search out help within the automotive. Formula automobiles usually have a minimize out within the heart to carry your legs in place, so your legs don’t transfer round. With the prototypes throughout endurance races, we have now to do driver modifications. With the minimize out within the seat, your legs transfer round lots and are nearly floating within the automotive and get banged round. The knee pads assist help the legs and maintain them in place extra which is helpful. It helps bodily and my knees aren’t getting bruised anymore. I take advantage of them a majority of the time now and it’s all the time good to have them with me.
- HRX fireproof undershirt and pants: Fortunately, I’ve by no means had any fireplace points and it is extremely uncommon to occur, nevertheless it feels good to have it on and I’m completely happy to put on it.
- HRX fireproof head sock: Fireproof head sock that’s in case of a fireplace and goes below my helmet. It additionally retains my helmet nicer for an extended time frame since I sweat extra within the head sock
- Sparco gloves: These are my fireproof gloves. As you may inform by now, we’re at excessive danger for fires in my line of labor! These are one in all my many pairs of gloves.
- Radio ear buds: These earbuds plug instantly into my helmet which plugs into my automotive so I can talk with my group all through the race. It’s an essential line of communication that not many followers learn about.
- Travel guitar: I’ve all the time beloved music and I all the time journey with my guitar to be used throughout downtime. I actually loved taking part in within the band whereas I used to be in school in-person and since I’m now in on-line college, it was one thing I couldn’t proceed to do, so I used to be searching for an instrument to be taught and play solo. I picked up guitar and began instructing myself tips on how to play. I journey with it so I can proceed working towards and studying. There’s lots of time we spend in our trailers as we look forward to our periods, so it’s an effective way to move the time and be taught a brand new ability! I’ve began to place collectively some chords and patterns that I’ve realized, so it’s been actually thrilling to play with these strategies. I attempt to emulate Marcin Patrzalek, who performs fingerstyle guitar and some different guitarists like Edward Ong and Eddie Van Der Meer. I believe that sound is actually distinctive and funky.
- Extra fits, gloves and footwear: I’ve about seven pairs of gloves and three pairs of footwear for each race simply in case.
- OMP racing footwear: I really like my OMP racing boots. They’re fireproof and really skinny in order that I can really feel the pedals. A really feel in your toes is extraordinarily essential when racing.
- Checkered bucket hat: This has grow to be my trademark over time. I’m all the time carrying a hat across the pits to guard myself from the solar. The checkered hat could be very on the market, and it will get a number of appears, nevertheless it’s all the time include me. I’ve this hat and a large brim fishing hat that I all the time put on.
- Peanut Butter M&M’s: These are my favourite sugar vice and I all the time have a bag with me – all the time.
- JP Racing stickers: I all the time pack stickers and playing cards to signal autographs and move out to the youthful followers because it all the time makes them smile. It’s wonderful to see the following technology of followers. The youthful ones don’t even notice how a lot youthful I’m than a lot of the different racers.
- EOS lip balm: I carry lip balm as a result of I attempt to hold hydrated when sitting within the automotive for hours at a time. You’d be shocked how dehydrated your physique can get simply sitting within the automotive.
- Sparco and HRX racing fits
- Stilo helmet with my trademark globe on high
You can observe Josh on Instagaram at @josh_pierson_racing