Expert: Dan Liddy - 4/2/2008

Question
so i have been into racing almost my whole life and this year gotten into nascar and indyracing. i was wondering how to get into professional racing it need not be nascar or indy but ANYTHING. i have read a bunch of your answers and questions and i have seen that in most you have told them to stay in school. i plan on staying in school and going to college for a masters in mechanical engineering, general engineering, or computer engineering. i know that i need to get into some type of driving/racing school and start racing karts asap. but i come from a poor family. by the way i am 15, and a sophmore in highschool.  is there anyway to get into racing schools for free like getting sponsers or demonstrating a natural ability for racing. i have been driving since about the age of 8, not racing, just driving. and i would really appreciate an well thought out answer not a cheesy one. not trying to hate on you. just putting that out there. if in the future am not able to get into a professional racing career how can i become an engineer for a racing team in any series?

thank you a bunch for your time and i hope to hear from you soon.

[i hope i didnt leave anything out]

Answer
Hi Dylan:

I guess the first thing you should do is try to get some support from your family. It's iimportant to have your parents on your side.  Next would be a part time job, preferbly in the automotive field, helping out at a repair shop , changing oil, doing  grease jobs, and general check ups. Be sure they know you want to learn all you can about thier business.  

As for race driving experience, there are probably a couple of Kart tracks in your area, try a google for "World Karting Association" and look through that site. It may be that you'll have to get your primary experience in the kind of carts thay have at big entertainment centers.  They aren't real racing carts, but they have competitions for regular customers, and prices are fairly reasonable. (remember the part time job !)

For $16.00 you should subscribe to Circle Track magazine, try www.circletrack.com .  This is the best magazine for technical information you'll find anywere,  read it , and re read it until you start to understand what they're talking aobut.

Now once you've gotten some experience, and are working on your college degree, start contacting some of the race teams you've seen in the magazines. Here's where you start sweeping floors with an engineering degree.  Sweep enough floors and ring your own bell enough and it will eventually start to click for you.

I know you'll have to write again and again, I expect it, so go ahead. But start doing some of the things I've said first, get a job to help pay your way, and find a cart racing track.


Good luck !!

Dan Liddy
Sarasota Florida