Thread: How did you start?

I'm thinking about trying to do some amateur racing-- NOT on the road like my ex-boyfriend, but in a "safe" environment. Any suggestions about where I could go to start and learn a bit?

That's a good inquiry. I'm not sure where amateurs start racing and I'm also interested to try it out. Do we need to pay for the race sessions and how do we register through those races?

If your interested in competing in car races, find out what club or association organizes races in your area, become a member of that club.
If you need to find out more about what in entails to race, volunteer at the races as a Marshall or any other positions, some clubs run a Marshall school before the start of the season and might also run a driver school in order to qualify for a racing license.
Once you have a good understanding of what is required, then you can bring your car up to racing specs (roll cage, seat, harness, window net, etc.) or buy a race car, you will also need personal equipment such as an approved helmet and coveralls.
Last, but not least figure out your budget, racing is anything but inexpensive, unless you have deep pockets or someone willing to sponsor you, some serious penny counting will be required, after all you still need to feed shelter and clothe yourself, not just the car
Good luck and if you get to the point where you can actually strap yourself into a race car and compete, you will find out that it is the most intensee fun you can have without doing anything illegal and with your clothes on (some 28 years since I last raced, I still have the urge and would strap myself into a race car in a nano second)

Thanks for that detailed explanation. My left foot is backing out already when you mentioned about "anything but inexpensive".

How can I get an sponsor without even seeing me race yet? Or my question should be, how should I convince a sponsor for my racing expenses?

Originally Posted by Civic

Thanks for that detailed explanation. My left foot is backing out already when you mentioned about "anything but inexpensive".

How can I get an sponsor without even seeing me race yet? Or my question should be, how should I convince a sponsor for my racing expenses?

You basically have to sell yourself, if you have connections, use them. Also show the kind of commitment you are making, by being a club member or association that organizes the races, having taken a driver school and have a car ready to hit the track, as an example.
You could try contacting dealers for your make of car and see if they are willing to put their logo on your car for the cost of the entry fee at each race for instance, try various companies and local businesses who might be looking for additional exposure and negotiate with them for anything you can get, from free gas to tires (or at reduced price), bodyshops for the inevitable banged up fender, at first you might not get anything more than have your entry fee paid and discount on their product and services, but as you start to make a mark for yourself your value increases for potential sponsors.
This can take years and in some cases might never happen or you might have a sponsor lined up and before the season even starts or halfway through the season backs out and your left with fending for yourself.
I don't really have much experience in that aspect, I had some exposure for competing in car rallyes for a number of years and winning the club championship in my class one year. I had a car dealership sponsoring me the first year I raced, but I went into racing fully expecting to pickup the whole tab (while expensive then, not nearly as much as today), the sponsorship was just a nice bonus, the second year the economy had taken a down turn and they backed out (they went bankrupt a few years later, if I recall correctly). Lastly, if and when you get a sponsor, don't forget to mention them and thank them for their support throughout the season and at the award banquet at the end of the season.Giving them a framed picture of your car and lending them the trophies you have collected, for instance, might also encourage them to keep on sponsoring you.

Getting sponsorship does take a lot of commitment and effort. I wish I could be like you winning a club championship.

I understand that winning races will increase the chance of getting better sponsorship but how about when I'm just starting and I'm not winning yet. Will this be a valid reason for my sponsors to back out? What promises can I tell them that would make them continue in sponsoring me?

Its true that a potential sponsor is less likely to throw their support behind someone just starting out and who hasn't shown what they are capable off, this is the tough part for anyone starting out, it takes a lot of work and you need a clear action plan in order to attract a sponsor, one way would be to graduate from an established racing school, such as Jim Russell and others.
As I've stated before its expensive and you might need to make it on your own to begin with, once a potential sponsor sees your commitment and if you can show good results, you don't have to win everything from day one, that's an unrealistic expectation, it takes time to learn the sport, being capable and willing to drive fast does not mean anything if you have a difficult time adjusting to the rigors and discipline of the sport.
I'm not a guru on that subject by any means, the last time I raced was 1981, things have evolved a great deal since and motorsport has become a lot more expensive than it was comparatively 30 years ago, but based on my own experience and what I see and have seen over the years, that's my take on the subject.

I think you are a credible source for beginners, like me, who wanted to enter the racing world. Again, thank you for the advice.

There is one thread here speaking of race car drivers that originates from test car drivers. Do you think this is a good way to be noticed by a sponsor? How about being a crew member of a race team, will that count?

I really don't have that much to spend on racing and sponsoring is the only way for me to get the right machine. This is why I'm concentrating on getting a sponsor rather than spending my own dime.

Hi Civic,
This is a bit like what came first the chicken or the egg, in order to become a test driver you probably need to hold a racing license and I would venture to guess that its probably harder to become a test driver than a race driver, as far as being a crew member, in all honesty I can't see that being an advantage unless someone on the team notices you, gives you a chance and can put in a good word for a potential sponsor, I don't want to discourage you, you seem to be very enthusiastic about racing, but its a really tough business.
As I've stated before join a club or association and get involved, this will help in getting noticed, if you can join a team and become a crew member, that would be great as well to get exposure and probably more important, learning about what racing is all about, by that I mean learning what goes on behind the scene. Unfortunately there is no magic pill for instant gratification, it can take years to achieve the goals you have set yourself, but once you achieve them, you can look back on it and feel a great sense of accomplishment.
It might sound daunting when you look at the seemingly impossible mountain to climb, but remember all the ones who have achieved it before you, there is no reason that you can't, good luck.

Originally Posted by oldcanuck

learning about what racing is all about, by that I mean learning what goes on behind the scene.

This is the best line I have to consider. Thanks for being so helpful and I will consider everything that you have told me.

You are correct when you compare this to a mountain. I'm already thinking about the peak of the mountain wherein I can just climb that mountain one step at a time.

So now I'm off to find a good club to join. Wish me luck! I think you did already.