How hard is it to become a racecar driver?

[MBAtarga]

Have you ever heard of start and park? How about making $22k for 8 laps?

The Quitting Game - Sport - Car and Driver

From the link above:
After eight laps, rain stalled the race, and as the other cars eased down pit road, Chapman and his teammate, Terry Cook, driving the No. 91 car, headed to the garage, parked in their stalls, shut off their engines, and quit. Chapman was still all smiles, and after a round of handshakes and high-fives, he headed inside the team transporter to change into street clothes.

Chapman’s car won $21,358 from the race purse, while Cook’s effort yielded $21,318, so MSRP Motorsports won a total of $42,676 that weekend at Charlotte. MSRP probably spent $20,000 to enter, practice, and qualify the two cars, so their profit might have been about $22,600.

[sc_rufctr]

It's difficult.

Most really good paid drivers are born to it. They are just naturally fast. You could argue with enough practice and passion almost anyone could do the same but,
If you've ever met a "natural driver" you'd know what I mean. They can squeeze every last bit of performance and then some from a car.

These guys (and ladies) are rare and when their talent is recognised by the right people lots of doors open up for them.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

Chapman’s car won $21,358 from the race purse, while Cook’s effort yielded $21,318, so MSRP Motorsports won a total of $42,676 that weekend at Charlotte. MSRP probably spent $20,000 to enter, practice, and qualify the two cars, so their profit might have been about $22,600.

This is BS. Purse = entry fee = Profit???? They forgot race fuel, tires, hotels and meals for the crew, car prep costs (brakes, tranny refresh, etc). My guess is the $42K minus $20K for entry, minus the other expenses was break-even at best.

[fastfredracing]

Probably about on the same level of difficulty as becoming a rock star.

[T77911S]

tom cruise got in the car because of his name, not his abilities.

it depends on how good you are.....

you might start with a driving school first, thats about $4-5k
then look into SCCA or i think it is NASA that has the BMW 325 spec cars. those cars a really cheap. if you can win you can get sponsors and let them pay the bills.

i guy i work with use to race dirt track. he had a portfolio of his wins that he took around trying to get sponsors when he started to race again.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Dan J

easier to grow a second dick

....but not if you're Danica Patrick

[mikesride]

Buy car...Go to Track...Pass Tech....Go race!!!!!

[9dreizig]

Timely question here's an article that Kyle Loustineau wrote he's one of our local rising stars and won the Mazda Shoot Out last year iPad Version it's on page 36.

[ted]

Getting paid to race a car is as easy to do as getting to paid to compete in any sport.

Think of all the young football, baseball or soccer players in a America and consider how many can actually rise to professional status.

The most common way to enjoy racing is to be successful in business and and have a large amount of expendable income. Unfortunately that doesn't normally happen in our 20s or 30s so your best racing years may end up being in your 40s and older.

Your chances of becoming a pro driver are about as likely as learning to play the guitar so you can become a rock star.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by ted

s.

The most common way to enjoy racing is to be successful in business and and have a large amount of expendable income. Unfortunately that doesn't normally happen in our 20s or 30s so your best racing years may end up being in your 40s and older.

Accurate. The average age of the POC club racer is over 50.

[dennis in se pa]

Christine Perot bought her ride with TRG a few years ago. She did not even run with the top group at DE's. YOU need money. Most of the drivers you see out there, except in the top rungs, are "funded" either via themselves or other sponsors. It is pitiful but that is the way it works. Rich old fat guys who are a few seconds a lap slower than the rest are out there because they have the cash. While talented drivers who have not been noticed watch from the sidelines. And as was noted above the good ones have been karting since they were young.

[intakexhaust]

Two ways:
1st the hard facts-
All the talent in the world won't get you a seat unless you know someone REALLY, REALLY , REALLY GOOD plus you have some nasty pics of the team owner and mistress.

2- You're so rich, can bribe any sanctioned organization, establish your own team and drive.

[motion]

I hear that anyone can buy a 10 year old car for $50K and go race in the IndyCar series or even the Indy 500. Oops, I guess they changed cars recently, so my info is a little outdated.