I agree with what has been said. Don't give up! I don't know a whole lot about cars either, but being on the Formula SAE team here at college is certainly helping as well as tinkering with my car. If your high school offers it, take a small engines course, or go to a lawn mower repair shop and ask them if they need help around the shop. Even if you’re not working directly on the engines or other parts you can learn a lot by watching. You could also ask one of those kids that you mentioned if they could teach you a thing or two.