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Polestar 2

Polestar portraits with race car champion J.R. Hildebrand

With countless races on his resume, twelve of which were in the renowned Indianapolis 500, along with racing 24 Hours of Daytona and the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, J.R. Hildebrand knows all there is to know about performance.

J.R. Hildebrand is an American race car driver that turned his childhood dream of becoming a professional race car driver into reality. Throughout his career, he’s raced in some of America’s most respected motorsport championships including the Indianapolis 500 (Indy 500), Indy Lights, and in IMSA. J.R. has also won the Indy Lights Championship and finished second in 2011 Indy 500 race.

One might assume that these moments –– racing at the top level of American motorsport –– are the ones he holds dearest. But for J.R., he remembers the peak moments of racing in the Indy 500 just as vividly as driving a go-kart for the first time. What makes them forever stand out in his mind is the way they made him feel at the time. “I remember the first time I drove a go-kart just as clearly as my peak moments racing IndyCar. Over time, they all kind of even out and there's just this feeling that you're left with... The feeling that you had when you first experienced it,” explains J.R. 

Ever since that moment, J.R. has chased that sensation in various motorsports, ranging from go-karting to stock car racing.

Polestar 3 in Colorado.
J.R. Hildebrand on bike.
There’s this primal emotional sensation of getting out and going fast that really just puts you in the moment in a way that very little else that I’ve experienced in my life can.
J.R. Hildebrand, race car driver
From go-karting to NASCAR-ing and everything in between

J.R.’s fascination for racing started long before he had even sat in a go-kart. Always wanting to learn, get better, and advance, he would race bikes and get involved in all types of competitive sports growing up. “Competition has just been a part of what's driven me since I was a little kid. That drive that competition creates to get better and to learn more. Which I've realised now is just an eternal and ongoing process,” he explains.

We meet J.R. in his house in Boulder, his home of almost a decade, where he lives with his wife and young daughter. There’s a child’s masterpiece hanging on the refrigerator, and easy access to all kinds of colourful toys. The house is quiet, bright, and welcoming. It’s the opposite of the thunderous commotion of the tire-screeching, engine-roaring, fan-filled race car tracks.

Growing up in Northern California, his father’s love for motorsport rubbed off on him. Together they’d spend weekends at vintage races, NASCAR events, IndyCar, motorcycle competitions, and drag racing events. Any motorsport related event that was close enough to drive to. After that, J.R. became fully hooked on motorsport. Shortly thereafter, he got his first go-kart. “I was intrigued, not only by speed but that mashup of sensations that come along with that, which were all kind of new to me at the time,” J.R. reminisces.

To J.R., there is nothing quite like the feeling you get from racing. “There's the competition that you experience when you get to the racetrack and then there’s this primal emotional sensation of getting out and going fast that really just puts you in the moment in a way that very little else that I’ve experienced in my life can.”  

J.R. Hildebrand driving Polestar 3.
I think what's really stood out about the Polestar 3 is just simply how good a car it is.
J.R. Hildebrand, race car driver
The joy of driving

When it comes to everyday driving, J.R. appreciates vehicles with a high level of refinement. “I’m certainly an assertive driver on the streets, so I appreciate having power on demand. But when it comes down to it, it’s about the degree of refinement of a vehicle, which is something that not every EV has,” comments J.R. “And so, I think what's really stood out about the Polestar 3 is just simply how good a car it is. You feel the change that every different suspension setting has, you feel the change in the steering weight, and its responsiveness. Those are the things that I'm looking for in a car.”

Beginner’s mindset, trying new things and doing what you love

Mindset is often attributed as a key ingredient in the recipe for success. But what does a success mindset look like? J.R., who has seen successes in a range of different kinds of motorsport, lets us in on his secret: leaving hubris at the door, and adapting a beginner’s mindset for every new challenge. “You have to be a learner in this sport and be willing to show up with a beginner’s mindset, whether it's driving stock cars, Pikes Peak, or racing on dirt. I think it just makes everything new more exciting” he comments. In addition to his skill and resilience, J.R. is also known for his versatility and adaptability in motorsport.

Being open-minded, trying new things, and pursuing the things you love is a mindset he wishes to pass on to his daughter when she’s older. While he couldn’t have predicted it, he says, that when he became a father, he realised instantly that parenthood is all about setting an example for your children. “The example that I want to set for my daughter is to chase after the things you want to do in life and to put the work into doing those things well, and I can only do that by continuing to work on that for myself,” he comments.   

J.R. in front of his house.
There’s a certain degree of excitement and joy that you get from finding that last half a percent because it's really hard to do. And it matters a lot.
J.R. Hildebrand, race car driver
Optimisation and attention to detail

Anyone who’s seen the celebrated Netflix documentary about a particular high-speed motorsport knows that margins are almost non-existent in motorsport. To get better and faster, race car drivers need to optimise, optimise, optimise. In fact, “it’s really all about optimisation,” comments J.R. “You're looking for these tiny, tiny differences, the things you can improve upon are extremely small. Imagine, you're in this field of drivers and teams that are totally stacked, and so, it's about finding that last half a percent.”

With small margins come great rewards. “There’s a certain degree of excitement and joy that you get from finding that last half a percent because it's really hard to do. And it matters a lot,” J.R. concludes.

Ultimately, racing comes down to innovation, flexibility, and grit. Three things that J.R. has undoubtably mastered. 

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