As the topic says, but I don't know if this is exactly the right place for this so please understand my somewhat "Cry" for help. I will also state I am new to this so please forgive me If I sound dumb at times.

I am 18, I have basic know how of cars, terms, and actual wrench time. I have read over a lot of car and racing "related" forums and I find there are a lot of youths who post things such as ""OGM MY FRIAND HAS FAST HONDA I WANT FAST CAR TO BECOME SUPER STREET RACIAER WATDO I GET?"" and such N' such, Im sure you all know what I mean.
I find it a bit fustrating being young myself and wanting to actually further my abilities and knownledge, instead of just thinking I will get a fast car and just become THE GREATEST!! :/

So Im posting here for somewhat "Guidance" or where I might be able to find it. Most of my friends aren't car people, and my family struggles to check their oil. I on the other hand get turned on by almost any car and want to drive it weather it be old, new, stock, modded, beat up, back fires, etc just to see what I can actually do with it.

I took the auto classes in Highschool, learned a bit of the basics, tire change, oil/filter change, fluid checks, replacing pumps, plugs, fwd rwd awd 4wd pros cons, etc.. etc and how basic engines run. It was my favorite class. Now that Highschool is done and I have free time open, for stuff I actually would want to persue. I turn to cars but I am a bit lost on how to go about learning more. I feel Im at a stage where I can't just pick up a book anymore and just "learn" it. I watch the "motor weekly" and car oriented type shows on tv, but I find it hard to get hands on approach.

I do find Street racing highly appealing, but Im not shooting to be some kid who thinks he will be a "Fast n furious" type where Im going to race you for slips in my 10 sec car or some full time mechanic. I find drifting much more attractive then drag...altough I find drag exciting and have done it before, its not my main reason for wanting to learn more. I would honestly be happy If I could just drive all day and night by myself in the car I modded to my perfection.

Anyway enough of my blabbering introduction and thoughts, Ill get to my Q's.

* Where would be good places to further my car know how?
Im talking any kind of jobs I could get being young and not too experienced, any possible schooling? courses?

* I herd ethusiast groups are good "quick pick me ups"
but I dont even know how I would go about approaching them??

* Is there any good books, or basic "street manual" sort of say, maybe specific magazines I could pick up that would be good?

I have probaly hundreds of questions and Im sure some of them would sound stupid if I don't already sound that way. But I don't consider myself the typical kid who sees a cool car flick and thinks his life is going to become some street racing movie.

Im not asking for what should I go do with my life, just looking for a way into "this world" and would appreciate any kind of help, tips, or really any kind of input anyone might have. Thanks :)

Try and get a job through a friend or something at a garage, but not like pep boys or jiffy lube I mean an actual customizing place, go for an apprenticeship or something. As for reading mags, I read as many as I can but a lot of them are really ricey, but occasionally have good info as long as you wade through the rice. The best thing is just read around here, you'll learn insane amounts.

I want to buy this book, maybe it's attractive for you too:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0947216901/qid=1089040244/sr=8-3/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i3_xgl14/002-1838732-9391250?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

cu

p.s. I'm pretty much in the same situation like you - 19/drifting/no exp/no rice :D

start autocrossing (solo2)

there are SCCA chapters almost everywhere, and this will help you the most with car control/ learning driving skills
they are almost always very friendly people, and love to answer questions

if you want a good magazine to read: grassroots motorsports

and as far as car "know-how" goes, i'd say immerse yourself in a project. nothing too crazy to start out with, maybe just a simple restoration. (take apart, clean/replace stuff, put back together... not a "make perfect again" job)

and you can always hang around here... we do talk cars every now and then


btw, welcome to AF

and you can always hang around here... we do talk cars every now and then


A car forum... talking about cars? Odd, Never heard of that before. :lol:


But, I agree with Danny boy. A simple project is a good idea. Listen to the man, he's got plenty of projects.

As far as getting to know cars inside and out, the best way is hands on u can read books after books but like i learnt in school u forget most everything you learn like that. I found out from personal experiance that just doing things like simple fixes at first is the best method. I personally am in a family where my dad is a former mechanic turned to office job. But im 17 now and I have done everything from full engine swaps to full on brake jobs to building engines from the heads up. Im gonna be doing a v6 to v8 swap in my camaro in a few weeks (wrecked my original v8 350 street racer...... very depressing, but engines still good :smile: )and ill learn even more cuz everyhting is better when you turn a wrench in ur hand wrather than flip a page in a book.

on the topic of meeting car guys and getting into car clubs just be nice dude i dont know about the import crowd sometimes they are very nice and take loners in, other times they can be real assholes with really slow cars i know my car club would take you in,at least, were an american car club only. just go to ur local hang out in northeast CT its a dairy bar, and talk to ppl be friendly be willing to contribute to the club in some way via racing to contribute to the club money pool or just being able to put in wrench time with the other guys, usually if ur cars not stock ull get offers no problem we go up to ppl anywhere and get them to run with us.
g/l guy

books and car shows...i "borrowed" one of my school's auto shop books before i graduated and that thing is great (learned how to change a crankshaft from it last night).

and just going to car shows and talking to people is great too...i try to go to different ones around where i live and i've learned a lot from them too