Professional Racing 101....

onlyGTI · #1 (**permalink**) 12-28-2003, 05:24 PM

Can someone(preferably w/ experience) list for me all the steps into getting into some sort of race career(any kind except NASCAR hehe). I'm 17 so I know i'm a little late in the game, but its worth my time and effort for my dream to come true. I know I have to go to a good driving/race school, but what the hell comes next!!?? Money is not an issue for me(I know this is a very expensive career path). Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Nate.

robfrmny21 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-28-2003, 05:29 PM

get into some kart racing and hone your skills there and if your good enough you will get notice

MorningCruiser · #3 (**permalink**) 12-28-2003, 05:34 PM

Autocross might get you noticed. I went to a local track day, and there were some scouts that just happened to be there, got my information, gave me a call a month later, said they were interested in seeing me drive as a backup driver... I said no, cause my gf at the time did not approve. I regret it now

robfrmny21 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-28-2003, 05:39 PM

dude you just missed out on a chance of a life time

MorningCruiser · #5 (**permalink**) 12-28-2003, 06:51 PM

Yes, I know

Hold me...

Seriously, I kick my own ass for not taking the opportunity. It wasn't oval track either, it was road course

TomM · #6 (**permalink**) 12-28-2003, 07:37 PM

Start racing karts, NOW. Get a year or two of Rotax or the like, then move up to 125cc shifters. From there you can go into formula cars of some sort. If you are good, like top in the US good, and you win the STARS of Tommorow series, then you can get a full season of Formula Dodge or something, otherwise it'll cost you big bucks to even get started. Which is where sponsors come in, if you can't front the bill all by yourself. AutoX, Track Days, etc. are not the way to get noticed or get started in racing, karting and up through formula cars is the only way to go.

onlyGTI · #7 (**permalink**) 12-28-2003, 07:45 PM

You actaully have to have a fast car for track days and autox lol...

But do you have to buy your own karts, or you get some classes with kart racing and then go to some semi semi semi pro karting or what?. I mean I know the pros you see on TV started karting at like 14.

J Clark · #8 (**permalink**) 12-28-2003, 08:07 PM

www.endurancekarting.com

i've done it, its a blast. scouts are usually all over the big events

deimos · #9 (**permalink**) 12-28-2003, 08:36 PM

I'd have to agree with karting being the best practice for a future racing career. I started off karting when I was 10 and then gave up at 13 when it wasn't cool, and I wasn't getting anywhere fast. Got back into racing via motorcycles, had some serious accidents, and now I'm doing track days/time trials in my street car. I'm working on putting together an endurance karting team for LRP in 2004.

I really, really wish I never stopped karting, even though the speeds aren't as high; it's far better practice for real racing (whether it be Formula 1000/2000/3000/1 or World Challenge GT) than anything else. Track days and Time Trials are fun, but not really competition oriented.

There is nothing like karting to teach smoothness, the correct line, learning to draft and pass, and take advantage of someone else's mistakes. You don't have the power to compensate for mistakes, you have to be smooth, you have to be smart about when to give up a place now only to regain it later (because you kept your line, and the other guy took an apex too early to get by you), etc.

....I could go on and on....

onlyGTI · #10 (**permalink**) 12-29-2003, 07:51 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I'll check out that endurance karting. Any more suggestions, dont be shy- I need all the tips I can get right now...

Vitolo · #11 (**permalink**) 12-29-2003, 10:13 PM

karting. karting. karting.
http://www.trackmagic.com/get_into/index.html

It's how I started at age 9. From there, get into formula cars. Don't count on "scouts." You'll have to spend some bucks to gain experience before you are recognized. Autox's/CCA track days are a waste of time if you want to go BIG. 17 is a little late to get started, but you can still get somewhere if you have enough talent. My father started in his mid twenties and made it to CART before he was 30, but he's an exception. I have a head start on him

deimos, what kinda team for LRP? I'll be back in Boston for school but might be interested in doing that for some fun. LMK

wannaBMthree · #12 (**permalink**) 12-30-2003, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by onlyGTI
Thanks for the help guys. I'll check out that endurance karting. Any more suggestions, dont be shy- I need all the tips I can get right now...

Money, money, money. To get started in this career, plain and simple you have to be loaded.

jderry · #13 (**permalink**) 12-30-2003, 01:19 PM

Quote:

You actaully have to have a fast car for track days and autox lol...

This is the reason why you will not succeed, even if you try. Having a fast car is only ONE aspect ... and albeit, it's a very SMALL aspect. Since money is not an issue, the more seat time you can have, the better off you will be. If you want, feel free to come along and sign up for local FATT's, HPDE's, etc. Summit Point is the local track for us. VIR is another relatively local one.

onlyGTI · #14 (**permalink**) 12-30-2003, 01:21 PM

I am loaded.

Hey Vitolo- your dad was in Cart!!?? Damn. So what do you do? I know it usually runs in the familly...

TomM · #15 (**permalink**) 12-30-2003, 03:10 PM

Vitolo

How old are you? I don't know what you are doing in terms of racing but Formula BMW may be something to look into. I don't know what kind of racing you have done, but I think BMW is aiming for people anywhere from 16-low 20's with mainly karting and some car experience. The cars on paper don't look to be super exciting compared to some of the other cars out there, but they will be racing at Indy with F1 and at Canada with F1, as well as CART(whatever its called now) and possibly Grand-Am.

Just something to look at.

Tom