Auto Racing: next steph in racing, car control clinic, open wheels

Question
Hi Dan, I need your perspective for my son,who is 16yrs. Completed 3 days, 2 day advance and car control clinic at Skip Barber very recently. Did his very first race recently (open wheels). Placed 5 out of 12 against some very experienced drivers.All good feed back from instructors and fellow drivers, best time was 2.32 full course.They all say he's a very promising and talented driver. My question is what his best next step. 1) more seat time/ lapping classes, or 2) lead and follow or 3) I think he needs more car control experience,eg. a rally course. My observation was the faster drivers had better car control which came from experience. Now, wouldn't confidence in controlling and saving the car in an spin make you comfortable in going faster and getting into your driving zone? He has a few years of karting and great kart control, which made him a good karter, so wouldn't the same principle apply. He has no sponsors, other that me his dad who loves him dearly, but my pockets are not deep and has many holes in it. How should I proceed? Would getting him an agent be better. A private coach is out of the question. I think the Skip barber instructors are all doing an exceptional job with my son. They are all a GREAT bunch of guys!! Thanks in advance for your suggestions.


Andy

Answer
Hi Andy:

Somehow I missed your question, and apoologize for the delay.

There is NO substitute for seat time. The more he has the better he will be. And it should be in the type of car in which he hopes to start his serious career .  If he's headed for NASCAR, at least get hiim in some sort of sedan. If it's to be the Formula/Indy Car type, head in that direction.

A rally course would be a nice addition as it teaches reaction to ever-changning circiumstances. In a rally, you never know what's next, so you must maintain a small margin of safety to keep the car right side up and on the (right) road.

With his background in karting, he probably has all the spin experience he needs. It's different in a real race car, but it's also slower. He should have no trouble handling it.

My son had a background in BMX Bike racing. The first or second time we were out in a racecar together, he lost it big time in a fast corner. As we slid sideways in the dirt and jungle, he calmly looked at me with a big grin and a laugh and after a pause, downshifted, and went back to saving the car and continuing. I would have been a flurry of hands and arms, wide eyed and steering in three directions at onc!  

Even the Greek philosophers said it: " Experieince is the best teacher".

Go for it !

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida