Auto Racing: NASCAR schools, quarter midget racing, sprint cup

Question
Hi Dan,

I read your comment about NASCAR schools. Can you share what schools you are referring to? Are they like Indiana Unitversity, Duke, etc?

My son is six years old and has shown a passion for racing and competing. I keep hearing that this is an expensive sport to fund. We have entered him in Quarter Midget racing and he is a Jr. Novice. What would be the next level after Quarter Midgets that we can take a look at (maybe in 3-5 years time) to see if he has potential?

I also read in your article that reaction time and reflexes are key. Is there a way to test his skills periodically? The reason I ask is that it may be hard to guage that on a race track and I was wondering if there are some tests he could take to develop a benck mark.

Thanks,

Anjan

Answer
Hello:

There are several kinds of schools related to NASCAR and racing in general .  There are drivers schools which attempt to train drivers in the art of racing stock cars. Your son is seveal years away from that stage.

There are also trade schools , many of them around Mooresville, South Carolina which is home to many of the Sprint Cup teams.  These teach chassis design and set up, body building, the mechanical aspects of racing cars and things of that nature.  They should be explored as sources of learning after your son has completed at leaast high school (with good grades being VERY important),  

I think at this time you are doing the right thing for your boy. Giving him hands on training in a real racing car is about the best you can do for him.  However, there is also BMX bicycle racing which is very competitive, inexpensive by comparison, and great hands on training as well.  It will teach him a lot about complex racing lines, complex traffic strategies, and keep him in top physical condition.  There are tracks all over the US, in most medium towns and major cities.

The other thing I would suggest for him is to get involved in go karts, go to www.wka.com for further information about that sport.  It will introduce him to road racing which will serve to round out his understanding of racing, and teach him that there's more to racing than turning left.

All of these versions of speed sport will teach him respect for other competitors, the importance of the safety aspects, and build within him, a desire to excell.

If you do all this with him, his reflexes and reactions will be trained automatically and at his age any experience will be tremendous benefit. The other thing I know of that will help is video games that require fast responses. If they feature auto racing, so much the better.  For physical training in this areaa, seek out your local YMCA, they know a lot more about it than I do.

Later on, when funds come available there are professional trainers that work with many professional drivers to good effect. They are not inexpensive.

That's all I can think of at this time.  If you have further questions, feel free to write, I'm happy to help

Sincerely,

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida