The Days of Nola, Day One with Kevin Waterman

Long time friend, Kevin Waterman first invited me down to Nola Motorsports Park in New Orleans this past April for the Inaugural running of the Grand Prix of Louisiana. This was the first time that IndyCar had been to this new track. For me, it was my first time to an IndyCar race and also my first time at the track.

Needless to say, I had a great time but not enough time to truly appreciate the great road course that is Nola Motorsports Park. Now Kevin, being the gracious host and good friend, invited me back down later in the year to check out the track as well as partake in some of the events held at the track and show off some of his stunt driving to boot.

Kevin had decided he wanted to become a stunt driver while living in Florida. He initially got his start in stunt driving at Disney’s Lights, Motor, Action. He has since moved to New Orleans where he does various work as a stunt man or stunt driving for movies and commericals. See the video below for a quick interview where we ask Kevin about how he got started and what lies ahead for him in the future.

His main vehicle is a purpose built E30 BMW. His bread and butter is driving it up on two wheels along with various drifting and technical maneuvers. He has had it for 7 years now and it is still going strong. He’s not easy on the car to say the least and it just keeps going. It has a full roll cage, welded rear differential, upgraded clutch, fire suppression system, fuel cell, upgraded bushings, race seats and 5 point harnesses. The engine though is virtually stock.

Kevin was kind enough to let me take the wheel and taught me a few maneuvers. The box park is fun!

Here’s a stunt reel of Kevin and his E30 from my visit to Nola.

Kevin has aspirations to take his childhood dream car, the General Lee, and make it into the stunt car he has always wanted. He has since purchased the General Lee and will be working towards this goal in the very near future.

While not on set or performing stunt work, Kevin can generally (General Lee?!) be found at Nola Motorsports Park, where he and Scott Foremaster are the park’s only employed professional drivers. They do various driving events, from Pace Car driving for sanctioned racing to instruction in Nola’s Mustang Experience, which we will get into in a later article.

Kevin is a stand up guy, who I am privileged to call a friend. We have known each other for many years and even though we don’t get to see each other often, when we do, we just pick up where we left off.  And if there is anything he can do to help you out, he does it without question. That’s the kind of person he is.

Stay tuned for more articles on my trip down to Nola Motorsports Park.