Expert: Dan Liddy - 3/19/2008

Question
I'm 17 and I want to persue a driving career and I want to find out how I could get a ride with a nascar team after I go through a Nascar University do you have any advice?

Answer
Start racing Go Karts right away.  You can get all the info you need at << http://www.worldkarting.com/ >>  Don't ever pass up an opportunity to drive or race a kart, and stay in school.  While you're in the NASCAR schools, make sure every team in the area knows of your ambition.

Caution, not all of us are destined to be race drivers, there are some like myself who love racing and love to race, but simply do not have the highly tuned reflexes and reaction times necessary for a successful pro career.

I am also held back by the fact that I am a relatively large man. 6' tall and well over 200 Lbs.  Christiano DaMatta (Champ Car and Formula One)  on the other hand, weighs about 130 and is about 5'4". Also, when you see video of Jeff Gordon he always looks tall, but when he's in a shot with someone else, he's always a head shorter - -and he's quite slender.

Finally, no matter what you do , you must STAY IN SCHOOL !! There is virtually no market anymore for a basic high school graduate. It takes a degree in something just to get an interview. Since your interest is in racing , you'd be best served by engineering studies. Mechanical Engineering would be a good choice. For that you'll need all the math you can get.

I'm eager to help young racers, if you have other questions, feel free to write again, and good luck !!

Sincerely,


Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida