How do i become an American Le Mans driver?

Question

Ok, like many other young people i suspect, this has been my dream for a very long time. I just have no idea where to start. I live in Southern California and I am 18 years old. I would just like a basic knowledge of how this generally happens, and the age specifics on this kind of thing. Also, where do i go, is this sort of thing only, or more possible in other countries?

Ok, like many other young people i suspect, this has been my dream for a very long time. I just have no idea where to start. I live in Southern California and I am 18 years old. I would just like a basic knowledge of how this generally happens, and the age specifics on this kind of thing (am i already too old to start?). Also, where do i go, is this sort of thing only, or more possible in other countries?

maybe just a step by step sorta thing with goals that you would have to reach to get the this series.

Answer 1

well you have to start out with go-karts. If you get better you move on to smaller F1s and then finally F1

Answer 2

Well, first I'll go with the bad news. At 18, you are probably already on the old side to get into, and manage to rise to the upper realms of motorsport. So when you ask about a ride in ALMS, this would be a question of expectation... running in a competitive car in P1 or P2 is likely as unachievable as would reaching a driving job in Formula 1. Though, in a GT car or with a prototype back marker?

The general starting ground is go karts (and many of your front line drivers will probably have started doing this between ages 6-12). This will give you a chance to learn the basics of driving the racing line, car control, and some race craft. Go karting is still viable as a starting point for you - it's fun and a great learning experience. Autocrossing would be another entry point into motorsports (this is solo racing through a course defined by cones, where you go for the quickest time). A combination of the two can build a nice set of core skills. For either one, the more actual seat time you have, the better you will get. And in both, be willing to ask questions of, and (more importantly) listen to the answers of the faster drivers!

From there, the next step would be going to Open Track/Driver Ed events, and then into Amatuer Racing with either the SCCA and/or NASA. Classes like Formula Vee or Spec Miata are inexpensive (at least as inexpensive as Motorsport can be, in reality they can both wind up costing quite a bit). If you can be successful here with wins and showing consistent speed, there is a chance you could get a ride in ALMS. Though you would most likely need to step up into something like the Speed Challenge series or something similar where you could campaign a GT car similar to those in ALMS (ie - if you are hoping to get an offer from a team using Porsche GT3RSRs, then stepping into the Porsche GT3 Cup series could give you good visibility).

At any level, being fast will give you a chance at having sponsorship, which will help to keep costs down. But as you rise up, it becomes a requirement, both due to the high costs, and because if your hope is to land a seat in ALMS, you will need a good amount of sponsorship as a driver to make you more attractive to the team that would sign you on.

Racing is alot of fun, but is also hard work, and the skill involved is not at all the same as just driving on the street. If you want to get into this, expect that you are going too need some time to develop this skill.

Answer 3

Honestly, the best way to get started is to get involved w/ the SCCA, and your local Chapter of the SCCA. The SCCA SOLO II program is a great place to get started, as you can get a feel of the racing line, learn from other drivers, and you will also work as a corner worker. With the SOLO II Events, you can have another driver ride along with you on the mapped out course, and they can show you the proper ins/outs of corners, and give you advice on shift points. Even if you do not have a car to race with, you can find cars that can be rented to you for a fee. If the talent is there, then naturally you can move from SOLO to Club racing, and on up to the ALMS.

Also, there are schools like Bondurant's, and Skip Barber that offer Instructor lead classes that go from 1 day intros, to multi day full road race classes.

Good luck.

Answer 4

You are right that many people want to do this.

What that means is that you have to start racing somewhere with your own money. Go-karts are popular in large part because they're relatively cheap.

To get to ALMS, SCCA racing may be a place to start. Go to an SCCA race and see what's required to be competitive. It's a lot, you basically have to devote all your spare time and money to have a chance. And have a fair amount of money to start.

There are plenty of experienced drivers with a record of success looking for a professional ride. So teams and sponsors are just not all that interested in someone with no experience.

Answer 5

Join the S.C.C.A.,buy or rent a racecar,enroll in a DRIVER SCHOOL,get a COMPETITION LICENCE and start racing.All of this takes time and money-LOTS of MONEY.You then start moving up to faster cars.Eventially you will get noticed (if your GOOD).Then you move into PRO SERIES cars.It is a process that takes years,but to be a PROFESSIONAL ROAD RACER its the only way.(ASK BORIS SAID) A wise old car owner once asked me "You want to know how to make a small fortune in road racing? Start out with a large fortune! "

Answer 6

You need to get to a school and learn every single detail on these cars, as complicated as they are (take 2+ years to develop one) and maybe start working on them. I have the same dream, and the SCCA, karting, what ever it is, get into it, the working and practicing with them will let teams let you test their cars, GT1, GT2, LMP1, and LMP2. Anyways, hope to see you on the track someday!