Career

[lazyjoe247]

How do people get into formula one,other motorsports? im 17 and im intrest in someway where i can start racing comepvely no autocrosss please dont flame if the question seems to dumb to u.

 

[lazyjoe247]

actually found the answer it seems im way to old now and poor . life sucks with out money, guess drifting is the only thing left

 

[McLaren]

Are you kidding?

Autocross is a great way to get noticed by officials.
And of course, racing itself, is extremely expensive. It makes the Racing Schools look like chump change.

Not to mention, many race car drivers got started in go-karts around 12-14 or younger.

It's a tough career and solely relys on money and skill to stay in it.

 

[The Internet]

There's a friend of mine who in 2004 (at 16) started Autocross. Now, he's a local SCCA champion.

It does help to have some good money for a car, though.

 

[YSSMAN]

A lot of people start in go-kart racing and move up from there. It takes a while to get your skills just right, so the younger you start, chances are the better you would be. Other than that, a good way to start would be to join the SCCA and participate in local races. If youve got money to play with and a lot of time on your hands, the SCCA Showroom Stock C class, Touring, Touring 3, and Miata Cup classes are all good places to start.

...If youre an owner of a BMW or Porsche, they often orgainize track days at local tracks across the country, and I believe they even have their own race series at the events. A few other marques sponsor their own racing days, so check your local track to see if they are comming around...

Another cheap way to get racing is the Car and Driver Racing Series. Its $99 to enter, and I believe it is mostly autocross events. They have classes for almost any car, and from what I hear, people arent afraid to bring literally ANY car...

As far as getting into Formula 1, NASCAR, GT Racing, CHAMP Car, IRL, etc. that is a long and elaborate process that can take decades of driving and racing to get into. Thats why youve only seen one American compete in F1 in the last 10 years (Andretti), and thats why there isnt much of a driver shift every season in most classes. Although it does help to have a famous racing name attached to you (Andretti, Foyt, Petty, Labonte, Burton, Busch, Schumacher, etc.) but it will not guarantee success in any form of racing.

 

[somebody]

Look up your local car clubs or racing organisation. Get involved in club racing. Many of the guys in these clubs have been at various levels of racing. Talk with them - learn.

 

[Blake]

Another cheap way to get racing is the Car and Driver Racing Series. Its $99 to enter, and I believe it is mostly autocross events. They have classes for almost any car, and from what I hear, people arent afraid to bring literally ANY car...

Tyres and brake pads are expensive, though.

 

[Inter 61]

Forst of all, if you have any plans of reaching F1 or of becoming a professional racing driver then forget about them NOW!

Done that, good now I strongly recommend you take up Karting. It's the cheapest form of tarmac circuit motorsport out there and it caters for all age groups whether you're 8 or whether you're 40+ there will always be someone about the same age as you racing.

It's much better value for money aswell as a average race day consists of a practice session, 3 heats and a final (in total 60 laps) while a car event would normally consist of a practice session and a race and that's your lot.

Now if you're saying "I don't want to drive a slow go-kart, my race car will go quicker" then let me introduce you to the Class 4 karts (Gearbox). The 250cc models can reach speeds of 160mph and can accerelate from 0-60 in under 3 seconds.

If you're interested, post on here where excatly you're based and I'll try and give you links to karting websites that will help you find out more.

 

[Sbatts6]

yes as others have mentioned, start in karting, then if you live in the U.S. go into the SCCA. I started off in Showroom Stock B and am currently in American Sedan and working towards GT1. You have plenty of time to get into racing. I know people in the SCCA who started racing at age 35

 

[kart racer]

AS YSSMAN said, karting is one of the best places to start.It dosn't cost alot and the speed to weight ratio is unreal.You learn alot when your butt is just 1in of the ground. 👍

 

[YSSMAN]

yes as others have mentioned, start in karting, then if you live in the U.S. go into the SCCA. I started off in Showroom Stock B and am currently in American Sedan and working towards GT1. You have plenty of time to get into racing. I know people in the SCCA who started racing at age 35

I've always wanted to run Showroom Stock C myself, but the cost is still a bit too high for this 19yo. Maybe in a few years I could get myself a GTI and run a few races here in the Great Lakes area...