QuestionHI again. i just came back from playing a great racing game of Need For Speed. i thank you from the bottom of my heart for replying. i really appreciate it. oh! and you can congratulate your son for me, thats amazing at the young age of 14! i have been checking out some websites for racing and none are as good as AllExperts.com ! i even googled 'careers for racing' but it was not much help, it just gave a few websites to visit and thats about it. well, keeping in mind that i live in South Africa, there is alot of drag racing in my area. but the thing is, it occurs after midnight, 1 to 2am when im asleep and dreaming of my Lamborghini Gallardo that im saving up for. how can i get involved in it without having to sneak out at midnight? sneaking out would leave me grounded for weeks. (which is awfull) im really into Drag Racing, F1, Rally Championships and NASCA. but if i had to choose between them it would be Drag Racing. i have been reading the 'Car Magazine; for the past 3 years looking for help for my dream... nothing has come about. our school had a 'dress up career day' so i dressed up as a racer. and when i walked pass people their jaws droped open, i couldnt tell if it dropped in a good or bad way. but since them i am more than determined to become a racer. do you think there is a possibilty of me moving from SA to America when im grown up to start a racing career there? will it be too late or will it not work at all? i first want to start off here, because SA is my home and home is where the heart is. how much will it cost? i read that you wrote its expensive. how much is 'expensive'? and where do i check out interviews and clsses for racing so i can get into an organisation for starters? pardon me for all the questions, but its about time i began raising questions. there are so many questions it feels like a drowning person coming to shore and gasping for air. this is hard, but im willing to do what it takes to make my dream a reality. i feel hopeless knowing that its going to take alot of hard work to get where i want to be..
Answer Dear Raabiah;
You're very wise to not break rules to go out late at night, as much as you love the sport. You show good character respecting your family's rules, as you would want their support when you start your career, AND racing is a sport where abiding by the rules are crucial. No one of any self respect would take home a trophy knowing they broke the rules to get it, and if word gets out you're known for cheating you'll never gain fans trust.
Besides, racing in the middle of the night makes me suspicious if what they're doing is legal at all.
It's never too late to begin one's passion and start their career. I had a close friend that didn't start until he was 55, and became one of the area's most respected drivers.
When I mentioned it was expensive, I didn't mean that as purely about money, I meant costs also involve devotion of your time, your willingness to start at the bottom as ALL great drivers do, things like volunteering their time at race tracks, and/or maybe sweeping up floors at racecar driver's shops working for free as an apprentice. Both these places gets you right into the heart of the action, and if you're willing to work hard and do what's needed it won't be long at all before you find yourself in a paying position.
Go personally to legitimate race tracks that you hear people attend, ask to speak to the track manager or track promoter and explain your desire to get involved and willingness to begin as a volunteer, but stay away from the "midnight" racers which could be illegal (and dangerous) street racing. I'd bet when people's "jaws dropped open" seeing you dressed as a racer was because many folks don't know that it is an actual career choice, and lucrative as well.
Check out NASCAR, NHRA (national hotrod association), UDRA, SCRA and IMCA on the net, they are some popular american clubs, and google "international raing associations" to find some which may be in your area.
Unfortunately the United States of America is the place for racing, Americans are obsessed with the sport but who knows? Maybe YOU will be the one to Start an organization, or bring an american organization to your country for the first time!!!
Many of your questions will be answered the more deep you get into the sport, all in good time. DO NOT take the attitude of it being hopeless, just the fact that you've picked a new and exciting career to pursue shows you're a free spirited thinker and a person who knows what they want in life. Be proud of that, hopeless is not in a racer's vocabulary. Yes to become good in the sport may be a lot of work, but every single famous racer started from right where you are!!! The best advice EVER given to me to live life in general by is, "One day at a time".
Accomplish what you can in one day, don't ever think about previous day's failures, or worry about how tomorrow is going to go, just deal with today and today only, and do the very best you can and feel good about every single accomplishment for that day, even if it's just reading a new article about racing.
Take care and God bless you, I know in my heart in a few years I'll be hearing your name for becoming famous in something because you have drive and curiosity and the only stupid question is, the one you don't ask. "Blue"
P.S. I stared off as a track official, moved to flagman and promoter starting at 35 years old, went on to driving and was in my 40s before I was a common name among racers and race fans.
