The former racer brings his Las Vegas-based Exotics Racing and dedication to safety to SPEEDVEGAS, taking on the role of CEO
of the recently combined venture.

Not everything that happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Romain Thievin, a former racer and stunt driver, wants enthusiasts who visit SPEEDVEGAS to leave this motorsports experience with memories they’ll long treasure. Thievin joined SPEEDVEGAS as CEO in December 2021, combining his own Exotics Racing business with SPEEDVEGAS Motorsports Park, which had recently been revived out of bankruptcy under new ownership. The new enterprise is touted as the largest “arrive-and-drive” motorsports destination in the US, with a fleet of the latest supercars, plus off-roaders and go-karts.

Born in France in 1979, Thievin became a racer and won championships in Peugeot Cup and French Super Production series. He also became a stunt driver, racing instructor, and host/driver of a French racing TV show. He has also raced in numerous segments in Europe and the US.

Thievin’s initial projects at SPEEDVEGAS included major renovations and safety upgrades, improving the Vegas Off-Road Experience dirt track, and launching the Vegas Superkarts go-kart track. He discussed his plans and goals with PRI.

PRI: What was the purpose behind combining Exotics Racing with SPEEDVEGAS?

Thievin: The goal was to create a unique motorsports park open seven days a week. Visitors can drive supercars, off-road vehicles, and go-karts, each providing a different type of adrenalin rush. Exotics Racing had the best operations, and SPEEDVEGAS had the best location, so it made sense to combine both companies to build a strong leader in this market.

PRI: You once spoke out about safety concerns at SPEEDVEGAS. Describe the safety improvements you and your team are making.

Thievin: Safety is our number-one priority. To make sure everything was up to our standards, we changed a large portion of the supercar and off-road tracks. We shortened the straight and added new asphalt run-off areas, gravel traps, and F1 Tecpro safety barriers. We also reviewed and improved safety processes and training.

PRI: What are you most looking forward to in your role as SPEEDVEGAS CEO?

Thievin: To continue to share my passion with as many people as possible. We will invest $10 million in the facility by adding new buildings, race tracks, and vehicles. We always want to make our driving experiences better.

PRI: Why the addition of the Vegas Off-Road Experience and Vegas Superkarts?

Thievin: When a group of friends comes to SPEEDVEGAS, some just want to race one another for an affordable price, and the kart track is perfect for that. We are unique in offering all those activities at the same location.

PRI: How can SPEEDVEGAS Motorsports Park attract new racers and ultimately better serve the motorsports market?

Thievin: We offer affordable arrive-and-drive experiences, from $35 for the go-karts, $199 for the supercars and $299 for the off-road. It’s a perfect first step for beginners.

When a driver wants to learn more techniques, we offer the High-Performance Driving Experience that includes skid pad exercises, multiple driving sessions, and private coaching with video analysis and a ride-along.

Our EXR Time Trial World Challenge is the world’s largest motorsports competition, with more than 72,000 drivers ranked. Drivers shoot for the fastest lap times against friends, colleagues, and other racers, and our live rankings allow them to compare their times against other drivers.

PRI: Safety is obviously of utmost importance in motorsports. What caused you to become such an advocate?

Thievin: I am a former race car driver, but also a stunt driver. I know that when a vehicle is moving, there is a danger, but it doesn’t mean that you cannot have fun, drive fast, and drift a vehicle on a race track safely.

PRI: What’s your most gratifying professional accomplishment?

Thievin: I think my most gratifying professional accomplishment is to be able to live from my passion and to share it with my amazing team of more than 100 employees, and our customers, too.

PRI: Who has been the biggest influence in either your professional or personal life, and why?

Thievin: Ayrton Senna and my dad. I became a race car driver because of them. Senna was a pure racer, same as Max Verstappen now. They always drive to the limit. My dad was an amateur race car driver in France in the 1990s. I learned how to race by watching his races.

PRI: What is one trait that you admire in others, and why?

Thievin: Patience, because I don’t have any!

PRI: What is a recent mistake you’ve learned from?

Thievin: A few years ago, we created the EXR Racing Series. The goal was to create an affordable arrive-and-drive racing series in the US. It was a very good experience for the drivers, but not as a business owner. We lost over $1.5 million in three years and had to end it.

PRI: Excluding your cellphone/tablet/computer, what’s one thing you can’t live without?

Thievin: My family, of course. But I cannot stay away from SPEEDVEGAS for more than a few days. I love to work there and drive the cars, go-karts, and trucks regularly. It’s also awesome to see the smiles on our customers’ faces every day. 

Romain Thievin

Title:
Chief Executive Officer

Organization:
SPEEDVEGAS

Hometown:
Henderson, Nevada

Fast Fact:​​​​​​​
Romain Thievin won a Taurus World Stunt Award for his driving work in “The Bourne Identity” starring Matt Damon.