Nowanker

Like trying to become a rock star....

LuigiVampa

I think MoD's story is the blueprint for most drivers these days. Many are "gentlemen drivers" and the rest of the pro drivers have other jobs, usually tied to motorsports.

While I normally worked with Grant Maiman (RB Jr. F1 alum), pretty much all of my other coaches are current or former IMSA drivers. That seems to be the side-hustle for most, and to MoD's point, their primary strength was to interpret the data and turn it into a plan which someone as thickheaded as me could understand.

StoogeMoe

He hasn’t posted in awhile, so I guess he went back to Gran Turismo on his PlayStation. After reading these posts his dream of skipping high school and making it to fame and glory in F1 have been dashed. Time to start practicing “want fries with that?”

Gary R.

That's a bit harsh, no? You have to remember where the last couple of generations came from. Expecting life to be easy/fair, participation trophies, instant wealth without sweat, education to be free and last forever, and for this one the vomit-inducing "I want to make this a professional career, especially considering how much money it would cost me and my parents". Yes, I would work on a team IF it meant I would be a pro driver later. LOL, me too. He didn't get a "just do this one thing and you will be all set" answer, so it's time to move on. At 14 I was washing dishes in a restaurant and helping on a paper route. I wanted something I earned it, those days are gone apparently.

Matt Romanowski

I'd say the whole thread is a little harsh.

To the OP - you're 14 and have a great dream. The World is your oyster. It's not easy to be a pro race car driver, but go for it. It's a lot of hard work, but you can do it if you have the skill and motivation. But like anything else in life, have a back up plan. Look into karting, volunteering with a local race team, etc. If you make it to a Trans Am event, let me know and I'll get you a tour of some of the teams.

Seltzer

No, I was actually busy doing a rental karting event in a local league, so I didn't have any time this weekend. I'm genuinely trying here, and I made this thread in order to try to get some more advice for racing. Anyways, thanks to all who replied, and just know that I have thoroughly read and considered everyone's contributions here.

Matt Romanowski

If you are into karting and own one, let me know if you ever need a MyChron or anything AiM.

LuigiVampa

We need to be nice to this kid - he could be the next Senna or Schumacher, etc.

Seltzer - I get what Matt is saying but I think MoD's post is the one that sums it up best. You can be the most talented person in the world, but if you don't have the money, most times you don't get the ride. It exists at all levels of motorsports right up to F1. Most of are able to drive only because we worked hard, made some money, and support our hobby.

All that being said, you should never give up on your dreams. Maybe you make it happen!

Nowanker

Hats off to Mr. Seltzer.
Dunno how he wound up here, but asking for guidance is a bold step, and it's hard to stick with a thread once it takes that nasty turn.

Explore your opportunities, and make the most of whatever they are.
Get some instruction.
Be prepared for the ridiculous amounts of money involved.
Have a backup plan if it doesn't pan out.

It's a tough field to crack, with 100,000 applicants for every position.
But they are occasionally hiring...

StoogeMoe

Oops. I assumed he was trolling and laughing with his friends how he got these track tards to waste their time answering his question.

Good luck with your ambitions. Just have a fallback plan.

StoogeMoe

Then again, he could be the next LuigiVampa, in which case we should start the insults now.