Cars are a popular hobby. However, very few people actually have what it takes to turn their car-related hobbies into full-time jobs. If you are a fan of cars, and racing cars in particular, then why not explore becoming a racing driver? Profesional racing drivers are paid huge amounts of money and become celebrities in the racing community.
There are many different types of racing drivers, however. You can race sports cars, actual racing cars, motorbikes, and even horses. This post will focus on becoming an actual racing driver, as in, one who drives race cars. It will tell you what you need to do to become one, and what you should keep in mind.
How to get started in motorsports
Acquiring license
The first thing that you need to do if you want to become a racing driver is to acquire a driver’s license. Without one, there is absolutely no way that you will be able to race on any professional, supervised track. Acquiring a license is relatively easy and may even be something that you have already done. Before taking your test, make sure that you revise and learn as much as there is for you to know about driving, so you pass with flying colours on your first try.
Gaining skill
You won’t be able to become a successful racing driver unless you are skilled. Unfortunately, it’s not easy becoming more skilled. Most experts recommend taking courses, but that’s something we’ll cover later on. Another good way of gaining skills is to go out and practice driving in your spare time. Learn everything there is for you to learn about your car, and learn driving techniques, like aggressive and defensive driving. You may also want to watch videos and tutorials designed to help people become better drivers.
Building car
Building a car is something else that you’ll want to do. You don’t technically need to build your own car (as in applying aftermarket parts, not build a car from scratch) if you can buy one that’s already designed for racing, but for most people, that’s far too expensive. You can get coupons for some parts stores, like these Enjuku Racing coupons, which can help you to get huge discounts on otherwise expensive car parts. Building your car will also help you to get an understanding of its internal parts, components, and how it works.
Racing courses
Racing courses are definitely worth considering. You can take these at most race tracks. You should be aware, though; racing courses are rarely cheap. However, they are definitely worth signing up for. The main advantage of racing courses is that you are given an opportunity to actually go out on a proper racing track under the supervision of experts, who have a lot of experience in racing cars. If you want to become a good race car driver, then you could consider taking one or two courses a year. Taking courses once or more a year will make you more of a pro.
Joining club
You could also join a club of race car drivers. However, make sure that you do not end up joining a club of street racers. Street racing is something that’s illegal in most places, mainly because it involves driving dangerously on public roads and breaking speed limits. The only time you should consider joining a street racing club is if it’s legal, otherwise don’t go anywhere near such clubs. Racing clubs usually require you to pay a small membership fee. However, joining them then gives you access to a track, that you can drive at any time.
Consider go-karting
If you are not yet old enough to get your driver’s license but want to get a taste of racing, then consider going go-karting. Go-karting can be a lot of fun. One of the best things about go-karting is that it’s really cheap, and it’s very simple. However, you get to experience what it’s like racing on a track, which makes it fantastic. Go-karting can be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing, so make sure that you listen to the instructors carefully when you are first going.
Entering races
Once you think you are skilled enough (and your car’s fast enough) you can go ahead and enter races. The winners of races usually earn monetary prizes. The more races you win, the more likely you’ll be to get picked up and sponsored by a large company, which could potentially be your entry point into professional racing.
The last lap
Becoming a race car driver isn’t easy. It takes years of practice, determination, and dedication. However, with this post’s guidance, it just got a little easier. Follow the steps outlined here, and you’ll be on track to becoming a race car driver in no time.
Featured image: Henrik Hjortshøj/Unsplash
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