Expert: Dan Liddy - 1/1/2009

Question
Hi,

I'm a 17 year old male living in the Appalachian part of Virginia. NASCAR country, really. And while I do somewhat enjoy NASCAR, that was more for the technical aspect of it back before the made everything ugly slot cars.

Basically, I'd like to know how you'd recommend getting into sports car racing. And don't take this personally in any way, but I'd like to progress past weekend SCCA events. I'm talking about having a shot piloting big American pushrod V8s around Le Mans and Sebring. You get the idea.

I have no past racing experience (on a track, that is,) but I am confident in my go-fast abilities. I also have very limited financial resources, or else I'd go buy a Porsche and let that be it.

Answer
Hi Daniel:


You are certainly not alone.  First things first.  You have to finish high school and college if you expect to succeed at anything beyond menial  labor.  Yes, that includes a racing career.

Secondly, having limited financial resources is a universal problem for young racers, the answer is usually sponsorship, and the sponsorship comes from exposure to the right people. Believe me that exposure will NEVER happen in a night club or bar. Stay away !!  It also helps to be well spoken which from your writing , I see that you are. Keep working on your speaking skills.  Pay close attention in your Speech and Public Speaking courses in school.

Third, you have no experience- - -also common, but you can do something about it by seeking out the nearest go-cart tracks and try to do some driving 2 or 3 times a week.  It's expensive but nearly every modern race driver spent some time in a go cart. Jeff Gordon , Robby Gordon, Al Unser Jr., Paul Tracey all did go carting.

Fourth, you think you have talent. So does nearly every red blodded boy in the free world !!  Again, you're not alone. However you could be mistaken. See Go Carting above.

For the going beyond,  my best examnple is Randy Pobst who has driven LeMans, Daytona, and Sebring several times for Porsche. He started here in Florida actually doing the solo parking lot races and excelling. He worked very hard at it, married a gal that was supportive, moved into SCCA racing and won two or three National Championships and constantly kept marketing himself to anyone that would listen.  It took hiim 10 years but he finally landed a part time ride with Honda.  The rest is history as they say.

So you have some problems in front of you, they are:
No experience
No money
No education (yet)
No backing
and
No race car.

You will have to address all these things eventually, but to start I have these recommendations:
STAY IN SCHOOL
Join WKA (Google World Karting for info)
Join SCCA (www.scca.org  and search for the region nearest you) This is the largest road racing group in the world and has a pro racing arm.
Get a good paying job, preferably one that involves working with the public and sales of some sort.

There are hundreds of things to do and I really need to research books available on the subject before I can offer additional info. This however, should start you in the right direction.  Give me a week or two and write back.

I wish you the very best of luck and a happy new year !!

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida