Where to Begin...

[srfgirlie5]

So I want to be a racecar driver...Or at least build kick ass engines for kick ass cars. But anyway...How would I begin to become a driver? Build a car and then enter small races? Or is there someway to buypass that and get on a team?

[-Jayson-]

most people here will have no idea, like 99%. Find a different forum or go talk to a school counselor.

[-The Stig-]

Your best bet is to get your butt out there racing. 99% of inspiring drivers, even those with talent never make it farther than local venues.

Mainly due to the sheer expense of it all.

You'll notice, the people who make it are the ones who can afford the toys (race cars), the truck to haul it and tools to maintain it all... without having to actually race for money.

Not often will somebody make it big on just skill, it's usually backed by somebody paying the bills, or those lucky cases of knowing the right people.

What kind of racing by the way? We might be able to help you figure it out with knowing that much.

[drdisque]

yes, what kind of racing and how old are you are the big questions. Sad to say, that if you're over 16 and haven't gotten into anything competetive yet, you're never going to make a living racing.

If you want to build high end race engines, then go to a good school for mechanical engineering and then take side classes at a local community college learning to be an auto technician. That way you'll know how an engine works and have the mental tools to know ways to improve how it works.

[Ace$nyper]

Originally Posted by drdisque

if you're over 16 and haven't gotten into anything competetive yet, you're never going to make a living racing.

thats sums it up.

[TheStang00]

well there have been cases of people getting noticed who dont have a ton of money, my uncle had to race for money... but he won a lot so he could do it, he had a thunderbird with a 351c... beat the piss out of all the chevy 350 guys out there. he was talking to a BGN owner when he got in a accident in the garage and damaged his eyes... so he had to quit racing.

[ac427cpe]

reguardless of what type of racing: start young (age 5)

If you don't have that option, assumption: you aren't 5 yrs old, start autocrossing, do SCCA schools, Evolution schools, go to places like Bondurant or Skip Barber for driving school... the problem with the later is money... they are not cheap.

It is possible to get into professional auto racing even if you are starting later in life (teens/20s), it'll just be a lot more expensive. The one thing that affects the total outcome more than anything else is if you have the skill there. Anyone can take the schools, rack up the license points to get a pro racing license, it just takes time and money. If you aren't indipendantly wealthy, you will probably need sponsors to fund your racing, and thus, enters the catch 22 that stops so many people. You can't get the sponsorships you need without proving you can race, but to get to that point you already need to have talent and a good racing background.

If there was a way to bypass any of the work and just get on a team... there would be a lot of companies out of business from funding failed racing teams.

The only way to become a better driver is with seat time, and that means entering as many local level races as you can untill you are competative there (depending on region) and moving to regional and national once you can handle it.


As far as engine building/design... get a degree in mechanical engineering and work on building a good resume while you are in college.

[Gohan Ryu]

Lots of pro racers start here:


http://www.jhrkartracing.com/school/school.html

[Andydg]

My neighbor races. It's a few steps under NASCAR, they race all over the midwest. He's got about $40,000 into the engine alone so it's gonna cost a lot of money. You've also got to get all the tools, the trailer, the truck to pull the trailer, people to help you out, pay for them to stay where ever you're racing, etc. He shells out probably close to $90,000 every year for all of his racing stuff. He doesn't make a single dime with all of the expenses he just does it for fun.

[Kamilpl3]

Originally Posted by Andydg

My neighbor races. It's a few steps under NASCAR, they race all over the midwest. He's got about $40,000 into the engine alone so it's gonna cost a lot of money. You've also got to get all the tools, the trailer, the truck to pull the trailer, people to help you out, pay for them to stay where ever you're racing, etc. He shells out probably close to $90,000 every year for all of his racing stuff. He doesn't make a single dime with all of the expenses he just does it for fun.

... I fu*kin' hate rich people...

Tell your neighbor I said,

[srfgirlie5]

Well I'm 19...I know it's kind of old to get in to it but I've been riding fourwheelers since before I could walk and I've been in some demolition derbys so I do have some experience with speed. I also have the tools...the shop...the trailer...and something to pull it with. So I'm set with the whole money thing. That really isn't the issue. I guess I'll just get working on my car and then enter all the races I can?

[SiGNAL748]

Join the SCCA.

[-Josh-]

Originally Posted by srfgirlie5

Well I'm 19...I know it's kind of old to get in to it but I've been riding fourwheelers since before I could walk and I've been in some demolition derbys so I do have some experience with speed. I also have the tools...the shop...the trailer...and something to pull it with. So I'm set with the whole money thing. That really isn't the issue. I guess I'll just get working on my car and then enter all the races I can?

Go to big time NHRA events and get to know some big names, ask around different tents, you might get some help somewhere. Good luck.