Auto Racing: Late Racing Career, skip barber school, skip barber racing

Question
Hi,

I have been reading through all the questions here and it seems there are a lot about getting into F1 and higher tiers of racing. I am a bit disappointed, as I am 20 and well past the age of getting into a career in racing at that high a level. Although I know it's too late for those types of racing, is there still time to get into a racing career and actually make a living doing it? I started racing karts a few years ago at a local track, I have set a few lap time records but nothing on a league or championship level.

I know I have some sort of talent, and it just kills me to let my chances of doing something with my gift slip past. Every time I see racing on TV I just dream about being in one of the cars, being one with the car and competing for the top.

I am looking into Skip Barber racing school next month, and I am wondering if it is even worth going for it. We all know it isn't cheap, but if there is a chance it could go somewhere I am not going to hesitate giving it a try.

I guess I am just asking if there is still a chance for a 20yo to develop his natural skills quick enough to be a race driver.

Thanks,
Anthony

Answer
Well Anthony, there are a lot of lower level series out there, in sports cars, in stock cars, and so on.  Having an education though is a premier requirement. and an engineering degree will help you in many ways.  

Yes, I'd say go for the Skip Barber School. and then find some others.  The Bob Bondurnat school in Phoenix , Az is another very good ont.  Then there are some NASCAR schools like the Dale Jarett in Virginia.  All these can be found through Google and they are all good.   The Dale Jarett is surprisingly inepensive, about $700 to start I hear.  Of course, it's a circle track school. but i'ts racing.

I started racing again in my early 50's and it was of course, too late for me, but Randy Pobst started in his 20's in my region of SCCA racing,  and is a successful professional race driver, with Porsche factory rides and also MAzda and Honda behind him. It's possible, but Randy will tell you it's HARD work and a lot of it.  You will not have time for video games, drinking, chasing women or any of that.

I would suggest that you join the Sports Car Club of America right away, go to www.scca.org  for more info, you should be able to find a region near you where you can actually participate as a worker of course marshall almost right away.

That's about all I have for now. I do wish you the very best of luck.

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida