how do i start racing?

Question

hi
i have always wanted to race formula one.
i am 14 years old, and from Michigan and i LOVE the thrill of speed.
i was woundering how i could get into any kind of racing.
so if there is an awnser, please help me.

Answer 1

The easiest way to get started is to have a last name like "ANDRETTI , UNSER , PENSKE , GURNEY or FOYT ".If not it helps to be from a VERY VERY WEALTHY FAMILY.You need more money than you need talent when first starting out.Talent comes with seat time.Look at a guy like EDDIE CHEEVER.Born into a wealthy international banking family,he BOUGHT his way into racing.Didn't have talent 25 years ago, and STILL can't drive(ask MARCO ANDRETTI) but if your family BUYS you a ride ,you can race ANYWHERE (ask the no talent mega rich MENARD kid in NASCAR) MONEY MONEY MONEY is what it takes.

Answer 2

First thing is to get started. A lot of people start a lot younger then you in quarter midgets and karts.
You need to start racing. For F1 I suggest karting. Look for karting facilities in your area, attend a race. Talk to the people racing and running the race. Talk to vendors, etc.. Then comes the hard part. You need to buy your ride. Most people in most levels of racing own their own equipment. They foot their own bills, they do everything themselves out of their own pockets. It's a very very small privilaged few that actually get to drive for someone else and NOT have to worry about spending their own money.
Now that you have a ride you need to practice and race ALL THE TIME. You need to be at the track every chance you get. You need to not only learn to be a great driver, you need to learn how to set up your ride, how to repair it, how to take it apart and put it back together in your sleep with one hand. You need to do all of this WHILE becoming the fastest and best driver in your class.
So after you have done that, you need to move up classes, and repeat the process. You will eventually have to become the fastest driver in just not your current class, but at your track and region.
Then after all that time and money spent you will probably not have a ride for someone else, but you may? But I guarantee you it will NOT be in F1.
Just keep progressing in the different classes and winning everytime in everything all the time.
Now is a key thing to remember! While doing all this and spending all this money and time, you have to remember that this is FUN! That may be the hardest thing to do once you are so wrapped up in everything.
Good luck

Answer 3

Actually, for just starting out, you may already be too old if your aim is Formula One. Many if not most drivers that aspire to that level have backgrounds in racing that reach back to a very young age. Though, it would still be possible, though difficult - considering there are at present only 22 race seats available in Formula 1, there is intense compeition to reach one of these seats!

The easiest entry point to motorsports would be go karts. It's also going to be the easiest way to get driving experience at your age. It also has the major advantage of being very inexpensive... or at least very inexpensive in terms of motorsports (people inside motorsports tend to look at go-karting with a "I can't beleive how cheap that is" response, while people outside may find it expensive). When you get on track in go karts, pay ALOT of attention to the faster drivers. Talk to them when you can off track to find out why they are doing certain things (most are more than happy to share), and when on track, try to follow them and learn the lines they take. Get out and kart as often as possible, for as long as you can at one time. Seat time is the most important part of improving your skill. As an aid to that though, check the local bookstore for Skip Barber's "Going Faster."

Now, if you can develop a good skill set in karting, there are a couple possible steps... generally I think Autocross and Open Track are great next steps, but while these are great at building and developing car control skills, if your goal is to reach F1, you will need to be aggressive, and by 16 you will need to be making progress into a lower level open wheeled series. While go-karts are inexpensive, the next step is not! If you can attract enough attention with outright speed in go karts it is possible you could attract a sponsor, but that is not easy at such a low level.

Leaving aside the financial issue which could be a major stopping point, you will need to enroll in a race school such as Skip Barber or Jim Russell and pursue getting a competition license. Once you have this you need to go racing. Something like Formula Mazda would be an ideal choice, though a year in something lower (and less costly) like Formula Ford or even Formula Vee could be an option. The goal in any case would be to move to the front of the pack and attract both sponsorship and opportunity. As you attract sponsorship you may be able to afford moving to more expensive classes... and if you can continue to have success in higher classes, you will begin to have opportunities present themself for professional racing.

Again, if F1 is the ultimate goal, you will need to keep in mind that moving into a pro series in the United States will probably not help you. When you make the transition from amatuer to pro, you will want to aim for a European Series, and then hope for a chance in GP2 or Formula 3. Quick and dominating success in either of these would almost guarantee at least an offer to test in F1, which is the proverbial "foot in the door."

Racing in general follows much the same guidelines. Though probably a little less "rush rush" as far as how soon you will need to be competitive at a high level in order to have even a remote chance at getting in! In any event, try some go-karting. Even if it doesn't lead to F1, it is alot of fun and will build some driving skills that will be useful if you try some other racing... and who knows, maybe it will lead there afterall!

Answer 4

Dude, first of all, dont pay attention to 99% of these idiots on here. None of them have any idea what it takes. Read my answer to your other question. Start in karts, and practice. You do not need to be super wealthy, like these people say. Lots of guys out there made it on talent alone. You just need a lot of practice, some luck, and a lot of heart. Best of luck!

Answer 5

i guess u r 2 young 4 racing

Answer 6

Mikey, don't listen to that jerk SHOOTER post.

Go get a go-cart and start racing it right now. Once your a little older switch to full size cars.
Until you can get a go-cart, go to the track very often and watch as much as you can. Any track.

Answer 7

youre 14 you don't you have to be at least 18