How to start a career in racing: help.

[RedWolfRacer]

I already searched for this so don't flame me. ...Much.

This is fairly self-explanitory, but to elaborate, I want some help on starting a professional racing career. I'm young, just got a job, no license or car yet, but I'm going to race! lol I originally wanted to be a fighter pilot in the Air Force but an unexpected (and later fixed) heart problem at the age of sixteen kinda saw to it that a career in the air was not going to happen.

I'm looking to ultimately get into the JGTC, ALMS or European Le Mans. Any help getting there would be much appreciated.

 

[Blake]

By young, how young are you?

Ideally if you were to become a professional racer you should have started karting before 16, but I suggest you buy a kart, you get a licence, you race alot, when you get good and start winning alot you may get sponsership and a drive in something better, if you are good (and it helps if you have money) you will get noticed.

You really need to set little goals first though, your first should be to Get kart + licence.

Blake

 

[RedWolfRacer]

I'm 17. I'm looking to begin in amateur racing with an RX-7 but of course that's a bit high of a goal at this point in time.

Do you know the rough price of said kart or at least a good website?

 

[Solid Lifters]

You should know there is no more JGTC.

 

[VIPFREAK]

You should know there is no more JGTC.

Damn it... why!? Did nascrap buy it?

 

[Blake]

It's called Super GT (why do I know that?)

Blake

 

[RedWolfRacer]

But it's basically the same thing still, right? Either way, I'd like to race. lol

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Start by going to track days at your closest race course, and join car clubs. Also, Motokanas would be a good way to start

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

I'm sort of in the same place, trying to get into the racing world. However, I don't expect to be driving in DTM or Super GT or anything. I'd like to work on a top-end team, pit crew, support, whatever, and use some of the connections and experience from that to do my own driving in a lower pro or amateur level.

 

[TheCracker]

I wouldn't bother with track-days - I would, presuming you have a 'budget', spend half your money on a good, cheap, circuit racer and the other half on entering yourself in a season of motor racing. You'll soon run out of money though, so perhaps have a look around for a sponsor to pay for some of the costs - Try a local business, doesn't matter what their trade is, its just another form of advertising. One thing is for sure, Motor racing is going to cause your wallet some serious damage.

 

[RedWolfRacer]

I wouldn't bother with track-days - I would, presuming you have a 'budget', spend half your money on a good, cheap, circuit racer and the other half on entering yourself in a season of motor racing. You'll soon run out of money though, so perhaps have a look around for a sponsor to pay for some of the costs - Try a local business, doesn't matter what their trade is, its just another form of advertising. One thing is for sure, Motor racing is going to cause your wallet some serious damage.

I was hoping for motorsports to be part of my income. I can print the decals for my car professionally (or at least design them) so that ought to save me some money as far as advertising.

 

[MagpieRacer]

ive planned my route into racing

www.msauk.org

all the info u need, you can buy race ready cars, Ex-F1 cars, rally cars, prototypes and lmps, touring cars, you can apply for licenses and everything.

prices arent bad on the cars, rally cars between 8'000 for front wheel drive ones and 180'000 for a 4WD focus WRC, 12'000 for a touring car, 30'000 to 99'000 for F1 cars.

awesome

 

[TheCracker]

I was hoping for motorsports to be part of my income.

Income from motorsport is very hard to come by, i would guess that less than 1% of people who compete in licenced motorsport gain any income from it. As i mentioned before your best bet would be to get sponsorship, unfortunatly you usually need to prove you can perform on the track before anyone would take you seriously - but of course you need money to get started in the first place! - a vicious circle. Most guys in top flight motorsport have had wealthy parents buying 'seats' for their kids in entry level race series like Formula Ford. About 30% of the F1 grid have to pay for their rides, they have an income but this will come from their sponsors who have brought money into the teams budget rather than from the team its self.

 

[RedWolfRacer]

ive planned my route into racing

www.msauk.org

all the info u need, you can buy race ready cars, Ex-F1 cars, rally cars, prototypes and lmps, touring cars, you can apply for licenses and everything.

prices arent bad on the cars, rally cars between 8'000 for front wheel drive ones and 180'000 for a 4WD focus WRC, 12'000 for a touring car, 30'000 to 99'000 for F1 cars.

awesome

My plan is to get an RX-7 (like an 89 model, something kinda old) and race it in amateur races first. That way I can win enough money to upgrade my car and show my skill/practice my skill and get sponsored. Hopefully.

 

[sicbeing]

can u elaborate more on this go kart liscnese please? what is this eactly, go kart track racing? apex? plz email me at sicbeing@yahoo.com with the info plz, i may lose this page, thanks in advance

 

[TheCracker]

My plan is to get an RX-7 (like an 89 model, something kinda old) and race it in amateur races first. That way I can win enough money to upgrade my car and show my skill/practice my skill and get sponsored. Hopefully.

Unfortunatly GranTurismo isn't quite like real life. Most amateur races (club racing) don't offer much in the way of prize money (if any) Any prize money you did win would probably just about cover your entry fees and travel costs.

Have you looked into race series that you could compete with an RX-7 in? - that might be your best starting point.

 

[Inter 61]

Ignore this post and look below

 

[Inter 61]

Out of all the active racing drivers in the world only about a 1/1000 of them will make a living out of it.

If I were you I'll do extensive research into Karting in your area and go club racing instead of trying to be a pro.

The Pro's have had major money backing since they began racing. few have gained some sponsership by having bucket loads of talent (like Michael Schumacher, Aryton Senna and David Coulthard), alot have gain sponsership through their parent's having multi-millionnaire business connections (like Zsolt Baumgartner and Pedro Dinz who are both usless behind a wheel) and some have made it to the big leagues by having famous second names (like Damon Hill, Jacques Villenuve, Nelson Piquet jr (will be in F1 at some point), Thomas Sheckter (spelling???) and don't be suprised if a certain Henry Surtees ends up in a big championship like A1GP or something like that).

What I'm trying to say is that unless you have one of the above advantages then forget about becoming a pro and dream on.

 

[Chris Criswell]

Most racers must have some serious cash in their name before they start racing. I was talking to my dad about it and wanted to race as well. You just gotta have plenty of spare money, buy a car and parts and whatnot, and find tracks that you could race at. And hope to god you don't wreck your car on the first day