Trying to get into a racing career - Where should I start?

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The Bman

The Bman

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The_Bman24
I've been planning to become a race driver for a while and I need some advice. I know that very few people on this forum drives cars, but there has to be a few people who know about racing.

I am currently in my early teens, almost 14 (yeah, I know what you are thinking :rolleyes:), so I'm a little old to start a racing career. NASCAR is my main interest, so it will definitely take a while. I live around the Pittsburgh, PA area and I know of a few tracks around here, notably Beaverun and the NASCAR affiliated Motordrome Speedway.

So what is holding me back? Budget. There is little to no chance that I will ever race for a living as money is tight. If I was to, however, there would be very little chance I would get into the major leagues, let alone the minors, so I would probably be forced to stick to something like the Whelen All-American Series in NASCAR or some other small series. And that's only if I am lucky.

So is there any way that I could get into motorsport? And most importantly, how much would it cost?
 
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Whelen is NOT a small series.
Not to sound like a bad guy or anything but there is an extremely small chance of somebody going pro.
But if you just want to race for fun then look around and see what ovals are around your area, Mini-Stocks (4-cylinders, CRX, Mustang etc) or Thunder Cars (8-cylinders) are a good place to start.
(If you want to start in Minis and move up then don't get a FWD because you won't learn anything about driving a RWD when you move up to Thunder Cars)
And some places have different names for the classes.
Edit: Minis are cheap, like 2000-3000 for a good car, and you might get a trailer with it to.
 
Bopop4
Whelen is NOT a small series.
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It's small and cheaper when you compare it to other stock car series. Not saying it was as small as I sounded like I said but the cars you are likely to run there are stripped down compacts going up to late models. Obviously the late models are the most expensive.
Bopop4
Not to sound like a bad guy or anything but there is an extremely small chance of somebody going pro.
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I am well aware of that factor. I would be crazy to think that would be easy.
Bopop4
But if you just want to race for fun then look around and see what ovals are around your area, Mini-Stocks (4-cylinders, CRX, Mustang etc) or Thunder Cars (8-cylinders) are a good place to start.
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There aren't any tracks that I know of that happen to host those cars, though I could just get a trailer and have that haul everything to a distant track.
Bopop4
(If you want to start in Minis and move up then don't get a FWD because you won't learn anything about driving a RWD when you move up to Thunder Cars)
And some places have different names for the classes.
Edit: Minis are cheap, like 2000-3000 for a good car, and you might get a trailer with it to.
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Any tracks in the Northeast that host MINI races? Just asking.
 
I have no idea, I live in Canada but Mini is one of our main classes.
Like I said, they might not be called Mini Stocks.
You're going to have to do a bit of searching online and calling around to see what track/class is best for you.
I would say a 4 banger Mustang would be your best bet though, you should be able to find a track that runs those types of cars.
What is your budget?
 
I can't really describe my budget, but I would have to start out in entry-level racing. I'm wondering what the average costs of entry-level leagues are first before I even think about starting out. What use would it be to buy a race car and not have money for a pit crew, hauler, etc.?
 
Pit crew? You and your Dad are the mechanics, and Mom makes the food. :lol: (Seriously)
$2000-3000 could get you a car with trailer and spare parts.
Your biggest expense will be equipement.
Make a little list of the gear you will need according to the regulations and then see how much you have left over for a car. Try to buy one that is a proven top 10 car.
And don't build one, let somebody else go throw the steps of ironing out the cars problems.
 
From what i see, Pit crew = Your mates and family, working for some Pizza in return. That puts your cost for them at around $30 a night.
 
First off, here is the website. Click the link, go to the rules section, and select Super-Compacts - http://motordrome.com/index.asp

These rules are, well, the rules of the cheapest division at the track. Seems a bit expensive, but not too high budget. Not advertising this track, just showing you guys if this seems right to start out with.

EDIT: Not trying to sound dumb but what the hell does FPP stand for?
 
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The link doesn't work.
I don't know about the FPP thing, might be a shortened class name?
Edit: Eight Fity
 
I edited the link to be the homepage. Just go to the rules and select super-compacts. That's the series I am planning on starting out with.
 
That seems like it would be good for a start, but Fwds only? Eww...


Just kidding, for your first race car that seems perfect, and you should able to get one cheap too.

Keep us updated and good luck.

Feel free to PM me about anything.
 
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Alright. I'll be saving up my cash to buy a car for the series. It may take a while but I'm pretty sure I can buy a car, get a NASCAR License, prepare the car for racing and get my feet wet at the track.

Like I said, It will take a while. I'll update this thread the next time something major happens regarding racing. Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it! :)
 
Research. That's what you need to do. Go to some races and check it out, and talk to people. Also remember, if you ask someone how much it costs and they give you a figure, know that it will probably be conservative to what it actually costs.
I dont know what size these cars you are talking about are, but you need to remember the tow vehicle, not just any car with a towball will do, you need something a decent size.
This is coming from somebody who actually races cars too by the way
 
Stormtrooper217
Alright. I'll be saving up my cash to buy a car for the series. It may take a while but I'm pretty sure I can buy a car, get a NASCAR License, prepare the car for racing and get my feet wet at the track.

Like I said, It will take a while. I'll update this thread the next time something major happens regarding racing. Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it! :)
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I wouldn't jump in and buy a car until you've worked out the yearly costs. Over here it'll cost around £6k in your first year and £2-3k every year after that to race in a club series. And, no offence, but I don't imagine a 14 year old has that money lying around. No pay for races either.
 
Karting. If you want to make it big in motorsports, you'll start in karting. Even the NASCAR guys nowadays all started in karting. Do some research. There are probably one or two karting tracks in your area. A good place to start for someone on a budget would be Chonda class maybe. But of course, nothing is cheap, not even karting. So invest if you know for sure you want to do this for the long run. Luckily for you, 14 is a prime age to start.
 
astrosdude91
Karting. If you want to make it big in motorsports, you'll start in karting. Even the NASCAR guys nowadays all started in karting. Do some research. There are probably one or two karting tracks in your area. A good place to start for someone on a budget would be Chonda class maybe. But of course, nothing is cheap, not even karting. So invest if you know for sure you want to do this for the long run. Luckily for you, 14 is a prime age to start.
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There are a few karting tracks out here. The only problem is that the one that I would prefer has a crappy website, hence I cannot look up the rules online. (Though I could just go to the track itself :P)

Another problem that I would have is getting the money to support my career. I would earn money from finishing races and from sponsorship at Motordrome, though I don't know if you get a cash prize from karting at Beaverun or not (Dumb question, but still.)
 
I'm sorry but I have to ask, do you think being a race driver is like a job? You can't really just decide to do it for a job, you would have to be racing at a national level. To get there pretty much all you need is $$$$
 
I would also tell to start from karting. Sponsorship will only come with some level of success so before that be prepared to lose money. Also remember to study (both driving and in school). Professional drivers have to do a lot of things beside just driving. There are some books about race driving and some members might be able to point some out. Of course reading is meaningless if you don't have the wheels to try out the things you have studied... :)

Speed Secrets by Ross Bentley is one interesting book about race driving that also talks a little about money and background work involved.

PS. Go to that track. You have to be proactive if you are going to make a career out of driving. Good luck. :)
 
Make lots of worthwhile friends, work for lots of different people to earn money, be nice to them, and maybe, if you're lucky, you might be able to tap them up for sponsorship later a bit later on in life. Jobs related to cars will probably help, anything that could help with free wrench time, tools or equipment. Buy some books on marketing, come up with a pitch, and never stop trying to get sponsors. Get a good fitness regime going, learn everything you can about motor-racing, the cars, the tracks, the people.

The company I work for is NOTHING to do with cars, racing or motorsport, but we've spent a few grand on sponsoring 3 cars in various low level/occasionally televised events -- not because we would gain anything directly from it, but because out customers asked us too! Same with local sports teams!
 
@magic_town - I think of it as a career rather than a job. I'm just saying how could I keep racing if I don't have $$$$? If I wanted an actual job involving racing, I would become a technician or an engineer.

@Sohvakettu - So I should start off with a barebones kart and as I get better in karting look for sponsorship or have sponsors looking for me? Definitely something I know, but thanks for going in-depth.

@MatskiMonk - Would engineering be a good path for me? My knowledge of math is lacking, but I could get better at it pretty easily.
 
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Stormtrooper217
I think of it as a career rather than a job. I'm just saying how could I keep racing if I don't have $$$$? If I wanted an actual job involving racing, I would become a technician or an engineer.
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I was just referring to the part where you said you get money from finishing races. I'm not familiar with those kart races but I'm willing to bet you don't receive any prize money. The only prize money I know of in Australia in karting is the national series. Even then it probably doesn't even cover entry fees.
I'm not saying its impossible for you to do this for a career, it just needs lots of hard work!
And 14 is definatley not too old to start!
Edit: from all I've heard, you will need to ask for sponsorship, it's not often it comes to you.
 
One of my friends did Karting, he's now racing snowmobil. But yeah, it's quite pricy, you have to add the price of the Kart/car it doesnt really matter, then you put a mobilhome of some kinds, your parent dedication (at least one of them) and their money. You'll also need to find a job on the side most likely to fund a bit your racing, unless your parent gonna give you all the money.

Honestly it's hard to find sponsorship, unless you're really talented, you'll have to fund most of your racing career. With your money. Dont be a fool and think you'll be one of those that succeed in racing, many tries, a few only succeed. Your main sponsor will be your family and friends.

Also if you dont know anything about car, you might want to take a part time job in a garage or something, because you'll probably fix your kart/car yourself.

Racing is not cheap btw, even those kart/car need fuel, new set of tyre every week-end etc..

Then if you're good and lucky (you need both really) you might catch the eyes of a big sponsor like Red Bull and be good but that's maybe a 0.001 chance.
 
Stormtrooper217
@MatskiMonk - Would engineering be a good path for me? My knowledge of math is lacking, but I could get better at it pretty easily.
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It can't hurt to have a good command of maths, especially mental arithmatic, but physics is probably as/more useful, understanding forces and energy etc.

Really though, anything above club racing is about money and It's probably true that most of your efforts would need to spent playing the sponsorship game, than focusing on the racing itself - anything that can help you with that is going to be useful, and that's basically just about marketing.

It's easier to make money from motorsport, than it is to make it in motorsport. You'd want to find somebody that was making money from it, and convince them to put it back in via sponsorship.

Just my two cents, like I say we've only sponsored people, I'm no expert.
 
Karting is expensive. Stock cars are MUCH cheaper to own and run.
And most tracks give a payout so if you do well you will pay off your expenses.
 
Live at the track, get the teams to recognize your face as the kid that hangs out at the railing. Then pick everyones brain that will give you a moment. make sure everyone knows that you are there to get info. you never know, some mechanic might give you a tip about an opportunity you might not have heard about.
 
I'm currently competing in karting like Bopop. I just started asphalt karting last year when I was 14. Now I'm 15. It's relatively affordable, and a lot of current NASCAR drivers did race road course karts before they did oval. raced offroad when I was 12-14 and made my move to karting. You can get my story here: http://kolbaileykarting.webs.com/
If you have anymore questions just ask. :) I've been involved in oval racing since I was a month old.
 
I have been in professional motorsport racing since 2001, infact I am right now at the Nurburgring for this weekends first VLN race, racing the #99 Porsche GT3 Cup.

If you would like to talk about it, send a pm and ill give you a few tips, plus do's and don't in motorsport that are quit essential.

Regards

Chris
 

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