Successful eSports team manager Brenton O’Brien has been given an opportunity to apply his virtual reality racing team management experience, joining the Winton Raceway team as Sales/Marketing Events Manager.
Mr O’Brien is well-known in Australian sim racing circles, creating and overseeing the highly successful Evolution Racing Team, which has nurtured the careers of some of the country’s top simulator drivers.
Mr O’Brien also comes into the sales/marketing role with substantial real-life experience in the public service, and according to Winton manager Jeff Grech, O’Brien’s combination of enthusiasm, creativity and people skills made him an ideal candidate for the position.
“We wanted someone who was going to come to Winton with fresh concepts, and without their judgement being clouded by too many preconceived ideas,” Mr Grech said.
“The eSports scene is growing in popularity all the time, and it’s becoming more and more widely-recognised as a pathway for drivers to become involved in real-life motorsport. Brenton has demonstrated driving isn’t the only skill you can learn from eSports; it’s also becoming a platform for developing abilities in other areas such as team operations and commercial management.
“It’s a sphere that allows people to express their creativity and test different approaches, and we’re excited to give Brenton the opportunity to translate some of his best ideas into real life at Winton.”
Mr O’Brien is excited by the possibilities presented by the Winton venue.
“Winton is one of the very best sporting facilities in the north-east Victorian region, but I want to see it moving forward as a business, not just a facility,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I enjoy setting goals and breaking into new areas, and my involvement in sim racing with the Evolution Racing Team has given me an outlet to come up with different concepts, work with world-class drivers and enjoy the experience of managing a professional team.
“I’m very grateful to Jeff and the Winton team for giving me the opportunity to channel my passion into a real-life environment.
I want people to come to the track, especially the younger generations, and I want them to go “wow”. That’s the key to getting more people involved in Winton and in motorsport – making them fall in love with the experience, and never wanting to leave.”
Mr O’Brien’s role will include promotion of race meetings, creating new event concepts and liaison with motorsport categories and other circuit hirers.
