Expert: Adam - 6/28/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Adam,

I am 19 years old and have the funds available to send myself to race school. The school I am considering is Bertil Roos F2000 school. It is 5 days and at the end are eligible for an SCCA license. What are the next steps after a school, to start competing? I know they have a competition series but it cost $16K, is there any other way to start doing minor races? I was planning on maybe going to other race schools. . .any tips would help.

Thanks for your time.

ANSWER: Hello AJ, thanks for teh question.
I am British and so am not familiar with the various feeder options in the States. In the UK and Europe, some schools have academies and championships, each option is helpful in many cases. Other than that, and assuming it's too late for you to use karting to help get recognition and experience, your best better is to enter the appropriate junior formulae for you, appropriate in terms of budget, geography and vehicle type. If $16k is a problem, this suggests you don't have a huge budget, so you may need to find a sponsor ar an academy option I suggest, either that or maybe take a big gamble on your talent, sell/get a loan and go for it!

Adam

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, are there any European academies you would recommend? I emailed Silverstone and they no longer offer the 5 day course. I just want to find the best academy.  

Answer
Dear AJ, thanks for teh question.   
     
As you seem to know, there are a number of racing schools in Europe, maybe 20-30, but very few "academies". Racing Schools aren't necessarily 1 week (or 1 day) affairs over here, they can offer a series of training courses and even races too.

Regarding academies, the only ones I know of are as follows, the most famous one (the Winfield one at Magny-Cours) seems not to exist anymore.

Le Mans, France
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/21122006/13/ffsa-unveil-auto-sport-academy.html

Nurburgring, Germany
http://www.nuerburgring.de/Racing-driver-training.367.0.html

Vallelunga, Italy
http://f1chronicles.com/2007/06/06/giancarlo-fisichella-opens-motor-racing-acade.

If you need details of racing schools, please let me know.
Best wishes,
Adam