AboutDan 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 !
Question Mr. Liddy, I am 15 years old and live in the Bay Area in Northern California. I am very interested in auto career and know of some areas in which I may race Karts competitively each Sunday. I aspire to start an auto racing career in NASCAR or similar. Do you have any suggestions on what I should do? Thank you for your time.
Answer Hello !
Racing Karts is certainly a good place to start. I believe if you look around you'll find that many many pros started their careers in Karts of Quarter Midgets. Jeff Gordon started in those ranks and look where he is now.
There are many other things that make up todays pro racer though. All of them have formal educations, that's college degrees, many are graduate engineers. Another very important part is developing exceptional people skills, public relations, human relations , and how to act in front of a camera. Learn to walk up to strangers and introduce yourself without shyness, and to speak with them as an adult.
Plan on attending one of two pro level racing schools sometime in the next couple of years. Bob Bondurant has a very good operation in Phoenix AZ. and you should be able to fine many more in the California area. Also , Bondurant has a book out on competition driving, ask for it at any bookstore, they can order it if it's not in stock. it's about $15.00
Finally, seek out and join your local region of Sprots Car Club of America, SCCA. Go to www.scca.org and look for the region in your area, and then your local district. Go to meetings , meet people, and volunteer to help out at their races. Amazing what you will leearn.
