QuestionQUESTION: Im 16, and for as far back as i can remember i always wanted to be a race car driver, even when all i had was hot wheels. The last year or so ive decided that i want to end up in something i love to wake up and do in the morning as my career, not what is easyest or makes the most money. I already have a good understanding of basic engine mechanics. i usualy fix mine and my parents car problems myself. So i want to know where i go from there. of course learn as much as i can and read and get educated. But the actual driving. should i save up for performance driving classes? get started in dirt track? And advice on how to get into the racing scene would be helpful. ive hit a wall here.
ANSWER: Hi Daniel! Congratulations on a GREAT first name !
I tell every aspiring racer to stay in school. You mentioned it, but it's also important that you study the right subjects. Heavy on mathematics and physics, also the other sciences. If your school offers it, take a pre engineering course.
When it's time for college, search out the good engineering schools near you and go from there. You want Automotive or Mechanical Engineering, Materials Sciences, and so forth. Prepare yourself for five years of very hard school work. I have a son in engineering right now and he doesn't have tome for a part time job, so you also need to save your money for school.
As for racing experience, Go Karts are the best place to start (www.worldkartingassociationl.com) , then move to a dirt track car after a couple of years in Karts. You need to concentrate on perfecting your technique before you start trying to win. Make sure you're comfortable in the Kart, and are comfortable passing others before you start trying fancy stuff.
Then after you have 3 or 4 years of racing behind you , check out the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance dRiving in the Phoenix Az area. The full course is about $4000.00 and takes a week to complete. Several NASCAAR drivers have taken it, some of them 2 or 3 times.
That's about all I can offer at the time, but feel free to write again if you have further questions.
Sincerely
Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Fl.
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QUESTION: Ha ha thank you on the compliment and the response. you helped a lot. I already plan on staying in school and going hopefully to GA Tech for automotive engineering and a minor in physics. So when it comes to education i completely agree with you and understand what you mean. One set back is the go carts. I live in a rural town and are ive researched an there are no tracks in my area. Is there anything else i can do to practice? because there are no go cart track anywhere near me.
AnswerHi again !
If there simply aren't go karts in your area, I guess you'll have to start at your local stock car track in the 'bomber' or hobby stock group. However, go to www.scca.org, and look for the region in your area. That's Sports Car Club of America and you will be able to start participation in races as a worker almost immediately. In SCCA you eventually go to a racing school or two and get licensed, and then can compete in their races. Whether you do that or not, you[ll be able to spend many weekends around serious racing, and perhaps meet someone that will take you on as a crew.
However SCCA is strictly amateur. Some exceptional drivers do get recognized and turn pro, Randy Pobst is one. There are several others whose names you might recognize.
Those arre two more options for you . I'd suggest you try contacting SCCA right away and getting involved. All our people have fun around racing, some by driving, some by crewing, and others by waving the flags.
Good luck !!
Dan Liddy
Sarasota,
Fl
