Advice on Motorsport?

Question

I know this is a long shot, but is there anyone out there doing successfully in motorsport reading this? I really wanna get into Motorsport, preferably NASCAR, but I don't live in the U.S.A. I live in Great Britain. We are not the richest of families, so don't have the funds to start even minor racing. I know I have potential to do well in motorsport, I just don't know how to start with so little money and opportunities.

Dose anyone please have any suggestions?

Any answers will do. Thank you.

Answer 1

Without money, you are better off buying a video game and playing that. I'm in a similar situation. All the talent in the world can't put you in a car without some cash.

Answer 2

That's a tough one to answer my friend. The only suggestion I have is sending emails to any and all racing organizations in the US and stating exactly what you just wrote.  You never know it worked for Carl Edwards in a way.  

Good luck!

Answer 3

Motorsports are expensive, and sadly there is not too much of a way around that.  While the best people involved can get sponsorship money and some free equipment from sponsors, the fact is that for most, this simply helps cut costs (and it still takes awhile to get to that point).  Though there are ways to start out that can keep the costs down... but if your aim is NASCAR, at some point there are going to be major costs connected to, at least, relocating to the US.

But for a start, how realistic is that goal?  Money is one issue... you may get by with a budget, but "cheap" racing can still be quite expensive (Spec Miata is one of the least expensive series one can go with here in the US, with a basic car and prep work costing a small $6-12k... but the cost of a season of races will be about equal the cost of the car!).  The second hurdle will be how old you are... while pure talent can amount to alot, like most sports, to reach the very top ranks, you will need to start when you are young to get enough repetition for driving to be second nature (most professionals at the top ranks were already successful racers in their teens).  And then, lastly, comes the hurdle of talent.  And talent in racing is not about reactions or much of what many think it is (and it has very little in common with normal day-to-day driving); balance, perception, and an analytical thought process are what will set you apart.

So, with all that in mind:  look for opportunities to drive go karts.  From my travels in Europe and Britain, I recall there being many karting tracks that had "arrive and drive" formats available.  Karting is about as cheap as it comes, and most of the skills here are the same skills you would use in any kind of racing.  From there, take the time to find some of the small ovals that are in England (there are a few where stock cars run), and get information on the sanctioning body and rules, and start moving to get a competition license and car and go racing.  If you are successful there though, you will then need to consider a move to the United States to get involved in stock car racing here, and then potentially some of the development series for NASCAR.

Answer 4

How do you know that you have so much potential? Hve you done anything, yet? One thing to do is hang out at your local track as much as you can. Especially more during practice times as opposed to only during races. Look around a lot, ask a lot of questions. You'll eventually find someone to befriend and get some "inside scoop." You'll get introduced around, if you're likable enough, and go from there. Don't be in too much of a rush.

Answer 5

In america, you have to promote yourself. So, if you do not have a lot of money, you can forget it. You need to win a lot of races and championships at local tracks to get looked at.