

Return On Racing Powered by Vaucher Analytics
David Vaucher
Return on Racing is the podcast where motorsport meets money. Hosted by motorsports business strategist David Vaucher, each episode breaks down how racing teams, sponsors, series, and sim racers can improve sponsorship ROI, manage rising costs, and build sustainable growth models in a rapidly changing industry.
Episodes
Mentioned books

5 snips
Nov 27, 2025 • 23min
Part 2 - The Next 100 Years Of Motorsport: What Will Racing Look Like In 2125?
Imagine racing in 2125! This intriguing discussion explores who will race, highlighting how ultra-realistic simracing could replace traditional talent pipelines. Sustainability takes center stage with the need for zero-emission motorsport. The future of sponsorship shifts to targeted activations, while the relevance pyramid for teams evolves. Safety innovations like anticipatory crash systems and adaptive cockpits promise to protect drivers. Ultimately, the human element of racing remains, ensuring the thrill and bravery endure amid technological advancements.

Nov 27, 2025 • 22min
Part 1 - The Next 100 Years Of Motorsport: What Will Racing Look Like In 2125?
What will motorsport look like in 2125? The discussion explores the rise of Chinese brands and the shift toward owned revenues in racing. Simracing could completely transform talent development, while virtual formats might overshadow real events. The future demands unique experiences at physical tracks to attract fans. Sustainability becomes crucial, with a push for zero-emissions racing. Technology plays a key role, balancing AI with driver decision-making and creating safer environments. It's a thrilling glimpse into the next century of racing!

Nov 21, 2025 • 22min
"A Racing Series Is a Business Model Disguised As a Rulebook" - The Vaucher Analytics State of Motorsport 2025: The WEC and IMSA
Endurance racing in 2025 shows impressive growth with full grids and record attendance. Key concerns include crowd safety and the financial sustainability of racing series, as costs rise alongside competition. The dominance of Ferrari contrasts with Porsche's struggles as they shift focus to IMSA. A call for better visibility akin to F1 has been made, while GT3 stands as the economic backbone of the sport. The conversation highlights the balance of performance and governance needed to ensure a thriving future in motorsport.

Nov 6, 2025 • 17min
Racing’s Second Revolution - Part 5: The Objections That Will Define (Or Crush) Motorsport’s Next Business Model
Relevant links for this episode:Racing's Second Revolution - Part 5: The Objections That Will Define (Or Crush) Motorsport's Next Business ModelRacing's Second Revolution - Part 4: Building a Business Around Racing Independent of SponsorshipRacing's Second Revolution - Part 3: The Roadmap to Move Away From Sponsorship and Towards Owned RevenuesRacing's Second Revolution - Part 2: The NFL Films Playbook For Turning Motorsport Races Into LegendsRacing's Second Revolution - Part 1: Why Motorsport Racing Teams Must Move Beyond SponsorshipSign up for the Return On Racing newsletterIn this final episode of the Racing’s Second Revolution series, we tackle the hardest part of any major shift, in motorsport or otherwise: resistance.After laying out the roadmap for how racing teams can move from sponsorship dependency to self-sustaining, owned revenue models, this episode looks at the pushback that will determine whether motorsport evolves, or stalls.From skepticism about sponsor reliance, to fears around complexity, legality, and culture, we dive into the objections that sound practical but, if left unchecked, can quietly kill innovation. The goal isn’t to dismiss them, but rather to show how each can be overcome through strategic, incremental action.Because the real risk isn’t trying something new, it’s staying still while others move first! #F1 #Motorsport #IndyCar #WEC #WRC #MotoGP #RacingBusiness #SportsBusiness #Sponsorship #Storytelling #BrandBuilding #IP #Merch #Licensing #SimRacing #GenZ #VaucherAnalytics #ReturnOnRacingContact the show: contact@vaucheranalytics.comBrought to you by the Motorsports Sponsorship Accelerator, the most cutting-edge resource to help you learn how to develop meaningful sponsorship relationships. To contact Return On Racing, please send an email to contact@vaucheranalytics.com

Nov 3, 2025 • 19min
Racing’s Second Revolution - Part 4: Building a Business Around Racing Independent of Sponsorship
Relevant links for this episode:Racing's Second Revolution - Part 4: Building a Business Around Racing Independent of SponsorshipRacing's Second Revolution - Part 3: The Roadmap to Move Away From Sponsorship and Towards Owned RevenuesRacing's Second Revolution - Part 2: The NFL Films Playbook For Turning Motorsport Races Into LegendsRacing's Second Revolution - Part 1: Why Motorsport Racing Teams Must Move Beyond SponsorshipSign up for the Return On Racing newsletterIn this episode, I take the framework from Parts 1–3 of the Racing's Second Revolution series (fragile sponsorship model → storytelling → the Vaucher Analytics Relevance Pyramid) and make it operational. This is the execution chapter: concrete, scalable (hypothetical) plays for teams at different tiers to create owned IP and recurring revenue.Bottom line Independence scales. The more teams own their story, products, and community, the less time they spend chasing sponsor logos, and the more resilient motorsport becomes. #F1 #Motorsport #IndyCar #WEC #WRC #MotoGP #RacingBusiness #SportsBusiness #Sponsorship #Storytelling #BrandBuilding #IP #Merch #Licensing #Fragrance #Animation #McLaren #Williams #Alpine #SimRacing #GenZ #VaucherAnalytics #ReturnOnRacingContact the show: contact@vaucheranalytics.comBrought to you by the Motorsports Sponsorship Accelerator, the most cutting-edge resource to help you learn how to develop meaningful sponsorship relationships. To contact Return On Racing, please send an email to contact@vaucheranalytics.com

11 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 16min
Inside the SimRacing Expo 2025: Passion, Progress, and a Market Searching for Maximum Grip
The SimRacing Expo 2025 was a vibrant showcase of virtual motorsport, unveiling exciting new titles like Assetto Corsa Rally. However, the rapid hardware expansion raises concerns over market fragmentation. The discussion highlights the potential of iRacing Arcade to connect casual gamers with hardcore sim racers. Analyzing the recent Fanatec-Corsair deal suggests a forthcoming wave of industry consolidation. Yet, a significant gender imbalance at the expo raises questions about the future talent pipeline in motorsport, calling for more inclusive outreach.

Oct 20, 2025 • 13min
Racing’s Second Revolution - Part 3: The Roadmap To Move Away From Sponsorship And Towards Owned Revenues
Relevant links for this episode:Racing’s Second Revolution - Part 3: The Roadmap To Move Away From Sponsorship And Towards Owned RevenuesRacing's Second Revolution - Part 2: The NFL Films Playbook For Turning Motorsport Races Into LegendsRacing's Second Revolution - Part 1: Why Motorsport Racing Teams Must Move Beyond SponsorshipSign up for the Return On Racing newsletterWhat would it take for motorsport teams and drivers to finally break free from sponsorship dependency? In Part 3 of Racing’s Second Revolution, we explore how cultural ubiquity, not follower counts, creates independence. From Senna to Schumacher to Hamilton, racing’s biggest stars have inspired generations of fans, but few have achieved transcendence beyond the paddock. Why? Because motorsport has never built the same storytelling, fashion, or cultural pipelines that turned Michael Jordan and the NBA into global icons. In this episode, David Vaucher introduces the Vaucher Analytics Motorsport Relevance Pyramid, a roadmap showing how teams and drivers can evolve from chasing short-term sponsor visibility to owning long-term, monetizable IP. Learn how cultural crossovers, storytelling, and product ownership can transform motorsport into a self-sustaining ecosystem...And why now is the time to experiment.#F1 #Formula1 #IndyCar #WRC #WEC #IMSA #sponsorship #NBA #NFL #NFLFilms #Strategy #Business #Consulting #simracing #iracing Contact the show: contact@vaucheranalytics.comBrought to you by the Motorsports Sponsorship Accelerator, the most cutting-edge resource to help you learn how to develop meaningful sponsorship relationships. To contact Return On Racing, please send an email to contact@vaucheranalytics.com

Oct 9, 2025 • 20min
Racing’s Second Revolution - Part 2: The NFL Films Playbook For Turning Motorsport Races Into Legends
Relevant links for this episode:Racing's Second Revolution - Part 2: The NFL Films Playbook For Turning Motorsport Races Into LegendsRacing's Second Revolution - Part 1: Why Motorsport Teams Must Move Beyond SponsorshipWhat the NFL Understands That Other Leagues Don'tThe Vaucher Analytics Motorsport Content DirectorySign up for the Return On Racing newsletterMotorsport has speed, heroes, and drama, but it lacks one thing the National Football League (NFL) mastered decades ago: storytelling that turns moments into myths.In this episode, we break down how NFL Films became the most powerful storytelling machine in sports, and how motorsport can apply the same playbook to escape its fragile sponsorship model and build lasting cultural capital.Key themes discussed:🏈 What NFL Films is and how it made football cinematic, emotional, and timeless🎬 How storytelling drives revenue, relevance, and fan loyalty far beyond sponsorship logos🏎 Why motorsport already has the raw ingredients (epic rivalries, heroes, and stakes) but fails to use them systematically📺 The difference between Drive To Survive and NFL Films (and why one will endure)🧠 What an “FIA Films” or “IndyCar Films” initiative could look like💡 How small teams can start myth-making today to grow their audience and independence🎧 Listen now to learn how race teams can turn their stories into assets and transform every highlight into brand capital.#MotorsportBusiness #NFLFilms #F1 #IndyCar #WEC #WRC #MotorsportMarketing #MotorsportStorytelling #DriveToSurvive #SportsMarketing #MotorsportPodcast #VaucherAnalytics #RacingBusiness #MotorsportSponsorshipContact the show: contact@vaucheranalytics.comBrought to you by the Motorsports Sponsorship Accelerator, the most cutting-edge resource to help you learn how to develop meaningful sponsorship relationships. To contact Return On Racing, please send an email to contact@vaucheranalytics.com

12 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 16min
Racing’s Second Revolution - Part 1: Why Motorsport Racing Teams Must Move Beyond Sponsorship
The discussion reveals how traditional sponsorship models strain motorsport teams, risking stability and fan connection. It emphasizes the shift from mere logo placement to creating engaging content platforms. David highlights successful examples from other sports, urging teams to diversify their revenue streams through storytelling and merchandise. The podcast also explores the hidden costs of attempting to meet sponsor demands and how fostering cultural collaborations can enhance brand value. It's a call to revolutionize how teams think about revenue and connection with their audiences.

10 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 22min
Part 2 - Racing, Politics and Power: Why Porsche’s WEC Threat Isn’t Really About Money
Dive into the intricate world of motorsport politics and rules, where Balance of Performance (BoP) plays a crucial role despite its unpopularity. Discover the ongoing struggle between LMH and LMDh convergence, highlighting Porsche's strategic interests. Learn how lessons from IndyCar's split underscore the importance of technical unity. Finally, explore the idea that Porsche's public statements are less about exiting and more about next-level bargaining tactics. It's a thrilling look at the intersection of racing legacy and competitive strategy!


