Racing for an 18 year old?

Question

What do you think is the best way to start racing at 18 years old? What is the best series with least cost?

Answer 1

nationwide or craftsman

Answer 2

Tough question..

Depends on what your goals are?

By your age, most NA$CAR drivers have already had several championships under their belt of some sort, karts, ARCA, etc

There is no cheap way, if you're looking at NA$CAR

If you're just trying to have some fun, the least expensive way, is to look at your local tracks,

Dwarf cars aren't as expensive as most, if you are trying to keep costs down

edit 1

It's hard for us to recommend a series for you, because we don't know what series are available to you, Modified, Late models, ARCA, Dwarf ?

Go down to your local tracks, and talk to the drivers,

I used to pit for a good local driver, and most of these guys are willing to give advice.

They are trying to "build" the local racing scenes, too.

NONE of them are really cheap, to get into.

Sponsors are a BIG part of it, so you need to think about that too?

No simple / easy answers

Answer 3

my idear is to race enduro racing at the closest small 1/4 mile race track closest to your house. enduro racing is junkyard racing. you get an old car and you race it. anyone can do it. keep at it and dont crash the car and someday someone who owns a modified car team or something might come to you and offer you a ride because they've been watching you finish good each race and taking care of the car. do good in the modifieds or whatever and someone else might spot you and offer you a ride to something even better. etc. etc. but i really think enduro racing would be a good start.

also are you aware that there are many PC racing sims out there? there are great games like Nascar Racing 2003 season, rFactor, GTR-2, Race 07, etc. that are not 100% real but come very close to it. these COMPUTER games are WAY more real than console racing games and offer so many options. you can race online against other people and compete in leagues and paint your own cars and you dont ever have to worry about getting hurt.

there is also the skip barber regional racing series. you have to pay about $3,000 to race for a single weekend. its expensive. i went to skip barber racing school and did the 3-day school for $4,000. the 3-day is the main core program there. wether you want to begin racing seriously or you just want to experience driving a race car once in your life, its worth it and you should do it.

EDIT- and dont let anyone discourage you. a lot of race drivers on tv have been racing since 5 years old. i think thats just ridiculous!!! just take it one step at a time. you can race cars at ANY age if you ask me. its the one sport you can do sitting down so you dont have to run around if you are old and your legs hurt.

dont count on becoming a NASCAR sprint cup champion or even just a backmarker nascar driver. im not saying you cant do it or wont ever be, but dont count on it. even if you just end up doing real minor sports car racing thats not on tv, you can still make good money (i think) and have a cool job and tell people that you are a race driver and that will make them jellous.

Answer 4

I've seen 50 and 60 year old men racing karts, so I guess 18 isn't too old. If I could swing the money I'd do the Skip Barber Racing series, or I'd look into running a street stock. Nothing is cheap. Take a look at http://www.iwannagoracing.com/

Answer 5

No matter what you choose these days. It's gonna be expensive. Racing fuel is even more expensive then gasoline. NASCAR fuel is $6.00 per gallon. Try starting off with go carts then move up from there. It'll take awhile to get into The Nationwide series, but if that's your goal. hold on to your dream!  Peace n Smiles :))

Answer 6

Local track racing, then maybe Camping World series, ARCA..Gotta still have some $$$. Racing is not cheap in any series..

Go Dale Jr & Hms

Answer 7

My best friend races Karts Tom.  He's 32.  All ages race those things and they are quite fast.