Drivers the life

[Mclaren_Man]

Being an F1 driver is the ultimate in commitment to the sport that is motor racing. I would prefer to do it on the more casual side, like going drifting everynow and then at the local racetrack (only done that once ) and every now and then some circuit racing I think my next event id on 22nd of April .

 

[Pupik]

lol this aint ****ing texas nascar racing.

sorry man, couldnt resist.

what a thought......

Wow, what an incredibly ignorant comment. Especially since Germany didn't have a single World Champion until 1994, while America already had 2 different champions (1961 and 1978). We've just been in a little bit of a drought. Besides, even though NSACAR is the most popular form of motorsport in the USA, it somehow bothers you that 1 person in 100 is actually interested in what's occuring outside the world.

He's just asking an honest question, although I'll also mention that it seems that "networking" is likely the best way to get into a racing seat. It's not as if the motorsport world works by posting open race seats in the classified section of the newspaper. Lots of skill, training, money, and time are needed to make it to F1.

It's not going to be easy, especially if you haven't driven in karts before (not the type that have 5 horsepower in the back lot of a video arcade). Some of these guys (yes, even potential NASCAR drivers) start out when they're as young as 8 years old, although it depends on the type of car. Others start out with low-displacement motorcycles.

And then there's quirks: Graham Hill, the 1962 and 1968 World Champ, didn't even drive an automobile until he was 18 or 19 (I forget which). His son Damon ('96 WDC) didn't break into F1 until he was 30, and wasn't regarded as much of a future F1 driver back in his F3/F3000 days.

And then there's the backmarkers: Channoch Nissany got to drive Friday sessions for Minardi last year at the ripe old age of 42. Jean-Louis Schlesser didn't start his only F1 race until he was 39 (although he went down in permanent McLaren and Ferrari history back in 1988 for his one race, but that's another story).

If your serious, and have the desire, don't give up. Talk to other drivers, team owners, sponsors, banks, your rich parents...you basically have to beg for a drive, and sign checks when you're starting out. Formula BMW is the US stepping stone to a path to Europe, where the real training for an F1 ride (or at least, a test) begins.

If you really want to hedge your bets without getting injured, though, you might have a better chance of winning this week's lottery.

 

[liam2maps]

And then there's the backmarkers: Channoch Nissany got to drive Friday sessions for Minardi last year at the ripe old age of 42.

lol Channoch Nissany.

It does help to be younger though, and this goes for most top flight sports, not just motorsport. Not having a go at you though as your post is pretty darn valid.

 

[ferrari_chris]

... there is a series that just got started in New Zealand that is called the Formula Toyota series. www.toyotaracing.co.nz . I might do that after I get out of shifters, then move to Atlantics, then go to Europe. It costs about $100k to do a full season. you pay the money, they pay for your ticket there, they pay for your food, place to stay, pretty much everything except spending money. this is considered a bargain in the racing world, even the cheapest open-wheel racing season(aside from Formula Dodge) costs $150k at absolute minimum. but when you add damage costs(not knocking you, just being realistic because you still have to pay for it even if it's not your fault), travel costs, food, hotel, etc. it ends up being close to $200k. yes, you do have to pay for damage in the Formula Toyota series, but it shouldn't be that much more, maybe an extra $10k-$15k. ...

Cool news!

What's your name? (PM me if you'd like) I'll look for you on the results sheets. 👍

Better yet, when I'm at an event I'll head into the pits and say hello.

You lookin' at coming down for our 2006/2007 season at the end of this year?

I'll be keeping an eye out for any foreign drivers in the ranks, although they're getting more common so picking you from the line-up might be challenging.

 

[McLaren]

ya i think the engineering aproach would be a little more likely for me, maybe in aerodynamics or physics, that'd be pretty cool...

i don't belive there are many single seater series( if any) in the U.S.

and yes nascar sucks, i hate it, when i try and tell someone about F1 they asume its a version of nascar/hick racing.

anyway thanks for the help guys, the truth was sadening yet usefull to me

Actually, that is a very good way to get near F1 by doing engeering work.

Although I would think having the skills to maintain an F1 engine is harder than driving, those kind of skills can get you into a lot more places such as being an official in the company itself, rather than its racing.

 

[tigermoth737]

ya i think the engineering aproach would be a little more likely for me, maybe in aerodynamics or physics, that'd be pretty cool...

you do realise youve gotta be an a grade student and smart to understand all those figures, dimensions, programs, what not. im 14 and i am already smart enough that i wil not ever be a f1 driver. im pretty sure i dont have natural talent which is almost essential to reach the higher racials of the sport. you cant simply be fast and talented if you want to be. if you were ever god at racing or talented for that matter then you would probably be in british formula ford by now. and being a techie is'nt a easy either, your ass is always on the line to design something that will go fast, stay together and handle well. the day you become technical director of mclaren then i'll eat dog-s***.

 

[Pupik]

the day you become technical director of mclaren then i'll eat dog-s***.

Considering several Americans have worked under Bruce McLaren and Ron Dennis in the past (Jo Ramierez, Steve Nichols, Teddy Meyer), you might have to start getting a knife and fork...or at least some tabasco sauce.

 

[F1 - Txnhockey]

Man i've been trying to find info on karting and i can't figure out which one of these stupid orginizations is one i could get into, in the US there's like the WKA and some CHAMP car series that is karting. But both these orginizations seem like they are there to be buisness not to be into karting... any americans out there who know what's up with this

you do realise youve gotta be an a grade student and smart to understand all those figures, dimensions, programs, what not

... ya i know. Americans aint all durmasses son.
na i know man, i go to a college prep school, and although i'm no genius, well that is humble of myself, i am quite capable of achieving my goals, i mean seriously i have no real chance of becoming a driver for F1, not because i'm not good enough, but thats not what american drivers do, they become, nascar or dragsters or indy or champ car or some gt style thing, they don't do F1, why because it's international and were messed up, we don't like to do international things... which dosen't make any sense now but whatever...

 

[tigermoth737]

maybe mechanic, personal relations guy, lolly-pop man, advertising manager would be an alternative option. also ramirez is mexican.