Enter karting competitions. Different local, national, and international cup competitions are held through the year. Try looking into CIKFIA or The World Karting Association If you’re not yet of the legal driving age, try to find a track that offers youth racing. This is great way to learn the basics of handling a vehicle around curves while negotiating the pack. Race in the soap box derby. The more racing experience you have as a youth, the better equipped you will be for a career in racing.
If you have the opportunity to purchase a pit pass, do it, and ask questions of the pit crew members, drivers, managers, and officials.
Read textbooks about auto mechanics, or take a course at a local community college. If you are serious about becoming a race car driver, you need to know everything you can about cars, from the basics of a lug wrench to suspensions. [4] X Research source The most important tool for any race car driver is a reliable car, and although professional drivers have a maintenance staff of mechanics to keep things running smoothly, the driver is the only one on the track who can spot a problem early and pit the car before getting into trouble at high speeds.
Many amateur and semi-pro teams need volunteers to do all sorts of jobs. This is a good way to meet people and get hands on experience. [5] X Research source
“Fantasy” driving schools offer detailed safety and track communications instruction, lessons in standard track procedures, and the opportunity to drive a race car from 3 to 40 laps around the track.
While actual race car experience is important if you want to be a NASCAR driver, it’s also important to tune up the mind to deal with the racing business. As the popularity of racing continues to grow and fans continue to pump millions of dollars into the industry, some advanced education in business and communication could give new NASCAR drivers an edge.
The Mazda Road to Indy features a driving school, championships, and other opportunities for a career in racing. While not NASCAR, attending something like this could help jumpstart your career.
There are slightly different restrictions for people who have racing experience and those who do not. Attending racing schools can help you obtain a competition license. [7] X Research source Before being awarded a competition license, you will be required to have a physical. You will begin with a novice or provisional competition license. After successfully competing in a set number of organization-sponsored races, the driver will be eligible for upgrade to a full competition license.
One way to gain sponsors and money is to network. To network, you need to win races. If you are finishing low in a higher division, try racing in a lower division and dominating it. It’s more impressive to tell sponsors about your wins than finishing fourth or fifth. [11] X Research source Spread the word about your success. Get a PR team, even if it’s friends or family, and spread the word on social media. Build a website, get a Facebook page, and set up a Twitter account to post about your wins.
