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About Dan Liddy
Expertise
Anything concerning race cars, 20 years competition experience, Senior Competition Driver Instructor , car builder, mechanic, welding, fabrication, tuning , engine modifications, set up, suspension design. Specializing in Datsun/Nissan products. Please submit questions about RACE CARS ONLY. No street cars, no video game scenarios Thank you.

Experience
I have been racing for 20 years, I have been the Central Florida SCCA Regional Championship points for 5 years running, and won the championship in my class 2 times. During my first start in the 60's I won many solo awards and the State Championship Drags. I serve as a senior instructor for SCCA, and have taught in Mercedes AMG events at Daytona, and Dodge Viper Days at Sebring International. I have been in the thick of the competition for all of my career. At one time or another I have driven race cars at speeds nearing 195 MPH. It's quite a ride !

You are here: Experts > Sports > NASCAR Racing > Auto Racing > How to start racing

Auto Racing - How to start racing

Expert: Dan Liddy - 10/22/2009

Question
I'm Sam and I'm 13 and I'd like to know how to start a career in racing. I'd like to race ALMS in the future. How much will it cost to get started and how? I've always loved cars and this is my dream career.

Answer
Hi Sam:

Now that's a question !

How much does it cost ? Well racing is expensive, very expensive, so you will have to have a good job and probably some help from others, your parents, aunts, and uncles and anyone else you can recruit.

You MUST stay in school, and take a LOT of math, it will be very helpful if you can get an Engineering degree, preferably mechanical engineering.

Third, you need all the racing and driving experience you can manage. Start by going to the local Go Kart track, and stat renting carts to race. The amusement park rides are ok for starters, but you will want to get involved in REAL go Kart Racing through the World Karting Assotiation Try the website www.WKA.com or google "World Karting".

Getting started in racing takes a LOT of hard work, and a lot of sacrifice. Forget about girl friends, parties, ball games, there will be no time and you need to save that money. It isn't easy.

Now, since you're interested in ALMS road racing, you should contact the SCCA, Sports Car Club of America. Go to www.scca.org , and search for a region and district near you . Then join and you are on your way. You can volunteer to do some jobs around the amateur races they have, and when you're a little older, you can (with money) go to drivers school, and start road racing.

That's the best advice I have for you now. Let me know in a year , what you've accomplished.

Best Wishes,

Dan Liddy,
Sarasota, Florida

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