We've been here with drivers, co-drivers, mechanics and organizers, and we're starting to get a sense of what this competition is all about. What we haven't had, however, are people promoting the sport online and offline by attending competitions and recognizing the sport in the media and social media.
Although motorsport is in a constant search for budget, cars and drivers, the end result would not be possible without these individuals who deserve credit for the effort to participate, care and continue to stand by those they support.
Vlad Baicu is a motorsport enthusiast, the kind of person who has a desire to participate as a spectator and then use modern tools such as social media to promote the competition, the athletes and the atmosphere. Autodriven encourages motorsport participants, whatever their nature, to take this passion further.
1. What was your first interaction with the sport and why did you choose to promote it?
"My first contact with the sport was during an FIA GT championship at City Challenge in 2007. I wanted to see it live, I used to watch Formula 1, NASCAR, everything that was televised. I also went to the Logan Cup, which was the same weekend as the City Challenge, also as a spectator, and then in 2009 I went to the Renault Road Show. I knew about Coastal and Rally, which I watched as a spectator. Then followed a break when I was active on the sport side of video games. In 2019, after retiring from the world of virtual sports competitions, at the urging of a friend, I found out about a drifting event taking place on the National Arena. The impetus for me to interact with the participating drivers was also at the urging of this friend. The initiative came to fruition in the online environment, where I was "following" the drivers, and that's how I got to know people in the field. I was a spectator at many competitions, I got used to this environment. When I started on this path, I wanted to inspire and encourage children and young people of other generations, through my Youtube channel and my Instagram, to show that passion has benefits and you can reach the top. I believe that through motorsport, people can have an alternative weekend. It's not just modified cars going fast, it's about hard work, preparation and strategy."
2. What are your most notable achievements?
"I have participated more as a spectator than a participant, but last year I gained some experience behind the wheel to the right of Luca Savu, and this year I sat to the right of Viorel Prisacar in a drift car. In another event I participated to the right of Alex Mitroi. I consider that one of my notable achievements is that I help to grow motorsport locally and internationally. I try to promote the drivers from the Balkan area, I know what events they participate in, that would be my performance. I have a Youtube channel, Romania Culture Cars, a channel dedicated to car lovers and car racing, through which I want to show that I can help to develop this industry and that this phenomenon is growing in Romania."
photo: Vlad Baicu with Andrei Mangalia, at the Super Slalom in Râmnicu Vâlcea
3. Between motoring and motorcycling, which do you like more?
"First of all, motorsport means both car and motorcycle. In motorcycling, I'm part of a team, being in charge of the social media side since 2021. In moto I focused on riders and stages. People have seen growth in me on the moto side as well as the car side. Some followers on Instagram were surprised that I got into moto as well, I also befriended different riders, but otherwise, I tried to mix the useful with the enjoyable. I want to show young people that through passion and dedication you can reach standards you never thought of. I want to create a community around me that inspires a passion for motorsport in others."
4. Have you ever thought about doing something else and leaving motorsport behind?
"Indeed, I had a few moments when I couldn't work anymore, but I thought "why quit now?", I never said stop, I was aware that such a moment would mean to stop working altogether. Besides, I would miss it. I was spurred on by the fact that people spoke nicely and openly to everyone, both passionate and initiated. I felt compelled to keep going, I wouldn't give up, in fact I would gladly continue. I can go to the same stage year after year with the same excitement as the first time."
photo: Vlad Baicu andAndrei Mangalia at the first stage of the Romanian Endurance Series
5. What are the differences between competitions in Romania and abroad?
"Unfortunately I have not competed abroad, but it is a plan for the future. I would like to see how it presents itself in terms of promotion, in terms of public relations, because I want to bring into the country what exists abroad. We can reach the level of developed countries if we have the ambition."
6. In your opinion, what would be the starting point for a motorsport enthusiast?
"In my case, my friend, who knew various people in the field, ambitized me. For an enthusiast, there should be the questions "what do I want?" or "what's my plan?" I seek to combine the useful with the enjoyable, to help who I can with my project or, I communicate with people to feel the pulse of the action, to understand what I can do to help them. Studying marketing, I think that motorsport projects can be combined with the projects of the company I work for, and I am sure that projects can be developed. Fans need to be nurtured, educated. A person who is passionate about motorsport should know all disciplines and must respect the fans who come to the stage. It is up to us to carry on what the veterans have created and the development of motorsport is up to each one of us."
7. What matters more? Your passion and talent or your budget, whatever its nature?
"Passion, talent and budget. We live in the age of the budget, in motorsport as in other sports. Passion and talent come together, but you also need the budget. There has to be a perfect symbiosis. From my point of view, without passion and talent, you can't stay at a high level. You also need budget, you can't evolve without it, but relying only on budget, I think it's difficult."
8. Besides motorsport, what else do you like to do in your spare time?
"I really enjoy playing tennis, swimming, I used to play soccer in the past, I like to travel, listen to podcasts, listen to analysis, because I like to weigh the opinions of people out there."
9. What's on your agenda for next year?
"First of all, national championships and moto RC stages are the main things I am focusing on. Next year I will also attend as a spectator the European championships close to the country, in the Balkans or something like that, to see how motorsport is seen in other countries and how developed it is."
Those who want to find out more about Vlad's work are encouraged to follow Romania Culture Cars on his Youtube channel, as well as his work on Instagram.