Racing all over the world, busy with back-to-backs, winning trophies, adding more pride to the BMW community and raising the next generation of drivers: Max Hesse and Dan Harper are able to do it all. Besides being racing drivers, they hope to guide talent to new motorsport highlights.
Almost a year ago, the two BMW Works Drivers started their own karting academy – MAD Performance. With this project, they return to their own roots and inspire a young group of drivers. MAD Performance is active in ADAC Kart Masters, the German Kart Championship, and several international races.
It’s clear that Hesse and Harper aim as high as in their own careers, and want the best for the talented boys and girls in their academy. How did this all start? Hesse laughs as GT REPORT suggests it might’ve happened over dinner and a beer. “No, not with a beer,” he says. “It was a bit earlier in the morning,” he adds.
“It was very random. We were sitting in an airport going to an IMSA race last year. We had nothing to do because we were waiting for boarding. We just came up with the idea and sometimes you make some jokes, and then we actually thought: okay, this might not be a bad idea. We tried to make it work, and it did!”
‘We know how difficult it is’
The aim for their business is clear: to help young, talented drivers break through like they managed themselves. “We want to help the younger guys to come up. We know how difficult it is. We were very fortunate and got to make a career out of motorsport. We know how difficult it is and how many talented drivers just don’t get an opportunity,” Harper says.
“We have good connections with the car manufacturers and a lot of teams. In the future, if we have some very good karters, we can bring them into the cars as well,” the Brit expresses his wish. “I think having me and Max there is very important for the kids. You can see their motivation completely change whenever we are there, which is cool.
“They look up to us in a way, and that’s also nice. I still look up to so many people,” Harper smiles. “So it’s nice to have people looking up to you.” MAD Performance helps on track and off track, which means the kids get advice on getting sponsors and how to balance a karting career with school.
“Obviously, their parents are in charge of a lot of it, but we can advise them also on how important it is to do your fitness training, take care of social media work and to be able to do a good interview,” Harper adds. “It’s all nearly more important than just your driving nowadays. That’s what the manufacturers are also looking for: someone who’s an ambassador and can drive very fast at the same time.”
Personalized coaching from Hesse and Harper to make a better motorsport transition
Both of the BMW drivers are aware that they are still ‘on the younger side’ as well, but they are dedicated to MAD Performance and put a lot of time and effort into it. “We’re trying to build it up slowly, as it requires a lot of work from us,” Hesse says honestly. “Luckily, my calendar is very, very full. So, it’s not always easy,” he adds.
“We’re trying to build it up slowly and step by step. For the coaching: we’re trying to do this individually. So, whatever he or she needs, that’s what we give and advise. But in the end, we’re not pushing anyone into any direction. We’re just trying to give advice, even on the fitness side, physical side, mental side,” he sums up, referring to Harper’s words.
“I think the combination is getting easier for us, because there was, I would say, a bigger offset between what karting was like and what we call ‘the big motorsport’ ten years ago. As it’s coming together more, it’s also easier for us to transition.”
Hesse adds: “If at one point somebody would like to move to a GT4 or something, I think we’re in a good spot to have some contacts with the customer racing teams.”
‘That would nearly make me more proud’
While Hesse and Harper slowly built the future of their karting academy, it would obviously be a dream to see one of their talents win a big race, for example the Nürburgring 24 Hours. “It would nearly make me more proud for one of my young drivers to go and do it than it would for me!” Harper concludes.
