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Listen "Jacob Williamson: Racing, Data and the Human Edge in the Age of AI"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode of the Restaurant AI Podcast, hosts Matt Wampler, Co-Founder and CEO of ClearCOGS, sits down with professional racing driver and entrepreneur Jacob “Jake” Williamson, Co-Founder of GP Lab Motorsport and owner of multiple businesses spanning motorsports, catering, and more. Together, they explore the fascinating overlap between data-driven decision-making and instinct — from how predictive analytics shape Formula racing to how gut feel still defines performance behind the wheel.
Jake shares how simulators, telemetry, and AI eye-tracking are transforming driver training and how lessons from the racetrack apply to running small businesses. The conversation dives into the evolution of motorsport accessibility, the power of content and storytelling in modern team building, and what AI-driven coaching could look like in the near future.
Throughout, Jake emphasizes that while technology can predict, measure, and refine performance, true excellence still comes from human intuition, preparation, and the relentless drive to push beyond what the data says is possible.
Episode Links:
Connect with Jacob Williamson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-williamson-a6012782
Visit GP Lab online: https://gplab.us/
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjwampler
Visit ClearCOGS online: https://www.clearcogs.com
00:00 Intro
01:41 Welcome, Jacob Williamson!
02:00 F1 as predictive analytics
04:38 Talent vs training
07:22 Risk taking, simulators and AI vision training
13:00 How data prepares drivers
16:52 Driver skill vs car quality
20:30 Analyzing data in real-time
22:33 Transition from race car driver to business owner
25:57 GP Lab Motorsports
30:34 Sponsorships, media and the Drive to Survive effect
34:05 From flying to racing
36:38 Social media strategy for racing teams
39:07 Making motorsports accessible
43:54 AI and the future of food service
48:00 Mental capacity training and proactive thinking
50:34 Analytics vs instinct on the track
53:28 AI's influence on workflows
56:13 AI's impact on the future of racing
57:55 Democratizing talent discovery
59:51 The draw of racing
1:08:03 What to know about sponsoring a race car
1:11:32 Outro
Jake shares how simulators, telemetry, and AI eye-tracking are transforming driver training and how lessons from the racetrack apply to running small businesses. The conversation dives into the evolution of motorsport accessibility, the power of content and storytelling in modern team building, and what AI-driven coaching could look like in the near future.
Throughout, Jake emphasizes that while technology can predict, measure, and refine performance, true excellence still comes from human intuition, preparation, and the relentless drive to push beyond what the data says is possible.
Episode Links:
Connect with Jacob Williamson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-williamson-a6012782
Visit GP Lab online: https://gplab.us/
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjwampler
Visit ClearCOGS online: https://www.clearcogs.com
00:00 Intro
01:41 Welcome, Jacob Williamson!
02:00 F1 as predictive analytics
04:38 Talent vs training
07:22 Risk taking, simulators and AI vision training
13:00 How data prepares drivers
16:52 Driver skill vs car quality
20:30 Analyzing data in real-time
22:33 Transition from race car driver to business owner
25:57 GP Lab Motorsports
30:34 Sponsorships, media and the Drive to Survive effect
34:05 From flying to racing
36:38 Social media strategy for racing teams
39:07 Making motorsports accessible
43:54 AI and the future of food service
48:00 Mental capacity training and proactive thinking
50:34 Analytics vs instinct on the track
53:28 AI's influence on workflows
56:13 AI's impact on the future of racing
57:55 Democratizing talent discovery
59:51 The draw of racing
1:08:03 What to know about sponsoring a race car
1:11:32 Outro
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