Auto Racing: Getting into racing, indy racing league, sarasota florida

Question
I have a questions about race teams if you can help me out that I would really apprectiate it.  I was wondering how would I go about getting into racing as a race engineer I am currently in school for software engineering and will be finishing up in the next year and i was wondering what i can start to do now to help me to get onto a team even if its just carrying tires around just to get my name out there and one day possibly work on a team as a race engineer.  

Answer
Hi Rich:

Well if it's NASCAR you're interesterd in, I'd suggest you volunteer to sweep a few shops out , but you gotta be in the North Carolina area.  Most of the major teams are located there.

If it's Indy Racing League, Indianapolis is the place to be.

Also subscribe to several racing magazines, (NOT Car & Driver) like Autoweek, Racer, etc.  Look in the back for classified ads.  

You also might start by joining SCCA (www.scca.org) for an insight into road racing, SCCA is an amateur group. but there is also a pro level, and the magazine always has ads for employees.   Once you've become a member, try your luck at an autocross or two.  The experieince will benefit you later.

That's about all I can think of for the time being, hope it's a help.

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida