Auto Racing: Career, carnegie institute, racing circuits

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I am 23 years old with zero experience. I have been to college quite a few times but never found a real drive. I love driving, in fact I love driving ridiculously fast or insane to most. I do not enjoy street racing as it is absolutely dangerous to all lives on the road. I am a father of one and currently engaged. I would like to know is it too late for me to even attempt trying to become a professional driver. I am not sure what course of action to take. I have read over the NASA CCR and learned more than I thought I would to keep me actually reading it. My passion for driving is something that keeps me awake, hence why I go through gasoline like it is free lol. I just want to know where to begin if it is not too late. Thank you in advance for you assistance and God bless.

ANSWER: Here are some things I tell all aspiring drivers and their families.

This was written specifically for parents of younger aspiring racers. It all applies to "older" people too.  If you have a family and a child, you had better get BACK to college and FIND something that interests you enough to pursue as a career. ASbelow I suggest Mecnahical Engineering. There's a lot more to it that just fixing cars, but there's a lot more to fixin  cars than you might realize too!

1)  The more early experienece the better. Go Karts are good,     
   especially those that include road racing circuits.
2)  There's no such thing as too much education. Mechanical   
   Engineering is a good place to start.  Lots of math, lots of  
   mechanical work background.
3)  A well rounded personality, which will include extensive Human
   Relations training, an example of 'why' appears below* A little
   later in his life, the Dale Carnegie Institute has several
   courses that will help you open up. Typical childlhood shyness is
   something best conquered at a young age. And you will need  
   considerable people skills and no camera shyness.
4)  Racing careers cost buckets of money. NOW would be a good time to
   start finding personal sponsorship. There are books about
   obtaining financial help, try www.summitracing.com and try
   keyword 'books'.
5)  The whole family should consider joining Sports Car Club of
   America. It's the largest sanctioning body of amateur racing in
   the country. There are opportunities for the whole family to
   become involved in one facet of racing or another.

There are many other considerations but these are key points.

* Here is why I mention Human Relations training.  I know of a local young man whose familly has been racing around here since the 1940's  Their son has won several Hooters Cup championships, and has amazing talent. He has NO chance in the Nationwide or Sprint cup series for one reason only - - Frankly, he's a total JERK.  He's surly and rude, uses coarse language in public, and has made the sports news media despise and avoid him. No sponsor is attracted to that type of individual no matter how good he is. It's killed his career.

So consider these things and if you have further questions , feel free to ask , but be specific.  You must understand that NASCAR attracts the best race drivers in the world, and they only have room for about 50 of them at the top (out of 150 million men in the country !) . You may love driving and still suck at it, it happens.

Also, until you get into more expensive race cars , those that cost over $!00,000.00, there is no real money available. You're going to need a REAL good job and that's not going to happen without an education.

Good luck !

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Fl   


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do you recommend SCCA over NASA in terms of santioned racing goes in the quest to going pro?

Answer
I've been a mamber of SCCA for over 20 years.  I believe the event organization is better, the car counts are higher, (more competition) the quality if instruction is good. I also believe the costs in SCCA are more reasonable.

I Hope you understand that a career as a pro driver is an extrememly difficult thing to manage, first there's the expense and you will spend close to a million dollars before you are even considered. Then there is the talent as I mentioned before.  Of the several hundred drivers I know in SCCA, only one managed to make it to the pros, that's Randy Pobst who drove factory Porsches for a time, and now drives for Mazda. He and his wife were both totally comitted to his success and it took them over 10 years before he started getting his first small pro races./


Again , good luck

Dan Liddy