Expert: Dan Liddy - 5/24/2010

Question
Hi my Ryan i'm 14 years old i live in Shreveport, Louisiana. the only thing i really want to is race but we have don't a lot of money to spare and i don't know were to start can you help me please?

Answer
Hi Ryan.

Racing is certainly an exciting sport,and it attracts a lot of talented young men and women.
Go Karts is where people your age should start. Get in touch with World Karting Association by using google on your computer. Join WKA and start going to their events.  They will let you know what the costs are and you can decide if you can afford it.

Sadly that's one of the answers to racing , money, and it takes a LOT of it.  That means GOOD jobs which means staying in school no matter what happens.  Race drivers these days are all college graduates, and most have engineering degrees. But it takes a very strong desire.

Go to the book store and look for books about high performance driving, and buy one by Bob Bondurant.  There are others that are also good.

If there is a local stock car track in the Shreveport area, go to the races, but buy a pit pass and go look at what the drivers and mechanics are doing and ask questions. It may be that they even have a racing series for younger people. Like those under 16 -  -I know we have that program here.

Good luck, I hope to see your name in the news someeday

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida