With the necessary concentration and training, racing drivers can take sensible and measurable steps toward the ultimate goal of driving professionally on the NASCAR circuit. Anyone can aspire to a notorious professional sports career, but when it comes to the competitive world of motorsports, an aspiring NASCAR driver should first consider gaining some basic experience with which to develop a professional driver resume.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Get started with the basics
Step 1. Compete in go karts
Many professional racing drivers start as young as 5 years behind the wheel of a go kart. Karting helps teach you the art of racing, from control to adapting to speed on the race track. The sooner you start competing, the better opportunities you'll have to cultivate a career later. Learn as much as you can when competing in go karts.
- Enter karting competitions. Different local, national and international cup competitions are held throughout the year. Try checking out the CIKFIA or The World Karting Association.
- If you are not yet the legal minimum age to drive, try to find a track that offers youth racing. This is a good way to learn the basics of driving a vehicle around curves while navigating the track.
- Race in the homemade car race. The more racing experience you have as a youngster, the better qualified you will be for a career in motorsports.
Step 2. Go on to compete in real vehicles
After you've learned all you can from karting and hopefully you've racked up some victories, start racing cars. Try to enter beginner racing competitions. You can also start building a career by racing on ATVs and motorcycles, like 7-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series winner Jimmie Johnson.
Step 3. Compete in local races
Before you can get to any kind of professional circuit, you need to hone your skills. Compete in as many local races as you can. As you win races, you will begin to develop a reputation as you improve your driving skills, enhance your talent, and build a career. Advance through local and regional races, earning as many victories as possible.
Step 4. Watch the professional pilots at work
Watch races on television. Better yet, visit a local track.
If you have the opportunity to buy a pass to the technical stops, go ahead and ask questions of the staff members in the technical area, the pilots, the representatives and officials
Step 5. Study the mechanics of a car race
Find race car mechanics in your area or online so that you can learn all you can about the mechanics of a race car and how it differs from a passenger car.
- Read textbooks on auto mechanics or take a course at a local college. If you really want to become a racing driver, you need to know everything you can about cars, from the basics of a cross wrench to suspensions.
- The most important tool for any racing driver is a reliable car and while professional drivers have a mechanical maintenance staff to keep things running smoothly, the driver is the only one on the track who can spot a problem early and make a stop. technique before getting into trouble at high speed.
Step 6. Volunteer with a local driver's team
As a volunteer, you will generally need some kind of basic skills, such as mechanics knowledge, although some programs provide training for volunteers. Sometimes pilots in distress will be happy to have someone help them, which can result in you learning skills right there.
Many beginning and semi-pro teams need volunteers to do all kinds of jobs. This is a great way to meet people and get hands-on experience
Step 7. Take a NASCAR driving course
Most major race tracks offer driving experiences that range from escorted laps to following a safety car, or the ultimate challenge from the driver's seat with an experienced passenger to guide you with hand signals as you navigate the track.
"Fantasy" driving schools offer detailed instruction in track safety and communication, standard track procedures classes, and the opportunity to drive a race car from 3 to 40 laps around the track
Part 2 of 2: Becoming a Pro
Step 1. Get an internship in NASCAR
Although many racing drivers do not have higher education, you can study for a degree while you compete and hone your skills. It is always good to have a degree and a career to turn to in case you are unsuccessful. Additionally, racing companies, including NASCAR, offer internships for college students.
While true racing car experience is important if you want to be a NASCAR driver, it is also important to sharpen your mind to deal with racing companies. As the popularity of racing continues to grow and fans continue to pour millions of dollars into the industry, a little advanced business and communications education could give new NASCAR drivers a head start
Step 2. Go to a career school
Various organizations, such as the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), offer driving schools. An organization like the SCCA can also help you get into business as a worker or inspector, which could lead to your own racing career.
The Mazda Road to Indy program includes a driving school, championships and other opportunities to pursue a racing career. Even though it's not NASCAR, attending something like this could help jump-start your career
Step 3. Get a competition license
Before getting behind the wheel, you will need to apply for a competition license. This can be a laborious process, but a variety of organizations can help you.
- There are slightly different restrictions for people who have racing experience and those who don't. Attending career schools can help you obtain a competition license.
- Before you can be issued a competition license, you will be required to have a physical exam.
- You will start with a novice or provisional competition license. After successfully competing in a specified number of organization sponsored races, the pilot will be eligible to upgrade to a full competition license.
Step 4. Don't buy a race car
They are expensive, extremely expensive. And you don't just have to buy the race car, but everything that comes with it: a trailer, a tow truck, and tools. Compete for a few seasons before investing in a race car and make sure you know how to work on it and drive it.
Step 5. Find money
Most racing drivers claim that this is one of the most expensive sports. Money is required to compete, either from your own or from sponsors. Considering the equipment and everything you need, it can cost tens of thousands of dollars early in your career to compete for a season.
- One way to get sponsors and money is to network. To do this, you need to win races. If you finish bottom in a higher division, try to compete in a lower division and dominate it. It is more impressive to tell sponsors about your victories than a fourth or fifth place.
- Spread the word about your success. Get a PR team, even if it's friends or family, and spread the word on social media. Create a web page, create a Facebook page, and set up a Twitter account to post about your victories.
Step 6. Get physically fit and stay that way
Good physical condition is essential to becoming a successful racing driver. The leaner and healthier a rider is, the better equipped he or she will be to withstand the heat, the force of gravity and the tremendous physical strain of driving at nearly 320 km / h (200 miles per hour). Also, race cars can move faster when they put less weight on the driver's seat. However, don't think this will give you too much of an advantage, as NASCAR puts weight on cars that have a driver who weighs less than 90 kg (200 pounds).