how do i become a pro race car driver?

Question

I am 24 years old and have always been a great driver, my friends don't trust anyone driving drunk but me. I have never had an accident or been caught by the police on a chase. I am in the 98 percentile in hand I coordination, which is what makes a good driver. So, my question is how do I start?

I know i came off a bit arragont, however it has always been a dream of mine to race cars. At my age the clock is ticking and I just want to know where to start. If anybody has any info on where to start in connecticut please let me know.

Answer 1

I suppose there is a very slight chance that you are mentally challenged and asking this seriously, though more likely you are trolling... nonetheless. If you want to be a pro driver, the first thing you are going to have to do is accept you are not a good driver. The fact is that you have no experience with racing and that there are very little commonalities about driving on the street with driving on a race track.

And to that end, while reactions and coordination can be helpful, if you are relying on reacting to the situation, you will never be any good. Driving fast is about seeing events unfolding well ahead of time, and anticipating what is happening. If you have to react, it won't matter if you are in the 99.99 percentile, you won't be quick enough!

Now, if you still want to become a pro driver, and you are actually willing to learn and put in the time, you should seek out driving in Autocross events and go-karting. Both offer the chance to develop some key skills and are very inexpensive. The key skills you are looking for here is to learn how to find, and to drive, the correct line. How the car (or kart) reacts under different situations. How to make your inputs smooth and maintain momentum. And karting will also offer some chances for wheel to wheel racing and a chance to start your work on race craft.

The next step would be to at try an open track/driver ed event, and actually see a race track at speed. You could try this first, but you will get more out of it if you actually have some of the basics in hand before getting here. Everything mentioned here could be compressed into a month or less if you want, though if you wish to master any of these before moving on it could easily take many many years. However, if your goal is to become a pro and you are starting at the late age of 24, you will have to push yourself forward before you feel (or really are) ready.

With a few basics in hand, you should enroll in an acredited race school. You will need a properly outfitted racecar for this, either one you own or one you'll rent. At this point you'll find the cost aspect of motorsports becomes very clear (figure a few thousand for the school, and a car rental will probably be $500/day+ and you will be responsible for any damages and may need to replace the tires as well). Once you complete the course, you can receive a provisional race license. You can then enter a race (though again, you may need to rent a car to do so, and race rentals will likely run $1k+/day), and as long as you can drive a good clean race without problems, the stewarts will most likely sign off for you to get a regular license.

At this point you need to focus on being successful, and being successful in a competitive class where you may be able to attract sponsorship money. The sponsorship money will not come close to paying your costs, but it will at least help cut them (as the old saying goes, the best way to make a small fortune in autoracing is to start with a large one).

Success in one series should open a door to move to a higher level, and so on... until at some point you may attract an offer to become a paid driver. Though starting as late as you are there is no chance of reaching the top series, though there could still be many options.

Answer 2

Most drivers start before they are 18, so as you get older your chances decrease. It's not so much that you've never had an accident or that you have good hand eye coordination but you must be in athletic shape and have nerves of steel. Driving a car 160mph+ just inches from other cars requires your nerves to be like steel and driving for many hours continuously can take a toll on your body. Think about it again before you get into it because its going to cost you A LOT of money before your able to make money but the best chance you have is to build a car and find a local racetrack to test you skill. Maybe there you'll catch a break and get the sponsorship your looking for.

Answer 3

I don't want to sound mean but if you have to ask that question that means you probably don't know a whole lot about auto racing. Its never to late to get into but since you mentioned you were 24 and wanted to become a "pro" it is pretty difficult. Most professional drivers are in their late 20's. Don't let this stop you from getting interested in the sport maybe start by carting or quarter midget or whatever you can get your hands on. It doesn't matter if you become a pro but i guarantee you will have the time of your life just racing. Good Luck

Answer 4

go 2 a nascar race and jump in 1 of the drivers cars when not looking and show what u can do i always wanted 2 r c sum 1

Answer 5

number one......driving drunk does not make you a good driver....it makes you a stupid drive number 2 you gotta start at the bottom.....a great thing to start in is a legends car...it teaches you car and throttle control but statistics are not good for many people to become pros....you have to have money backing your equipment..not necissarially in a legends car but when you get to late models and such you cant be underfunded......i know this first hand.......in 2004 i won 13 out of 26 races in a legends car....and since 2005 i have only had 2 top 4 finishes and led ONLY 2 laps in a late model that was grossly under funded.....but the key is focus patitence and determination......if you have that you can get the money....you can be a great driver....and you can become a pro

Answer 6

Well, for starters, stop driving drunk before you A. die or B. kill someone else (and end up in jail). I have lost a family member to a drunk driver. It impairs you, no matter how good a driver you are.

As for where to start, local tracks. Then, a travelling series. Every driver out there has had to work up the ranks.

Answer 7

So- you're a good drunk driver? Never been caught in a chase? Sounds like NASCAR material to me.MARK MARTIN IS AN ALCOHOLIC TOO,maybe you should call him.

Answer 8

I hate to say it, but Sean's right. Playing video games won't teach you how to race a car.

Answer 9

At my dragstrip you have to have a current driver's license to race. I'm not sure about a circle track. Since it sounds like your going to lose that soon, good luck.

But to answer your question.....quit drinking......hang out at the track....buy a car to race....once your good enough get some sponsors and travel to other tracks.