Pipe dream?

[kbalch]

Hey Guys,

A brief introduction from the latest FNG:

I've been a lifelong race fan and have always wanted to participate. One thing and another has gotten in the way, however, and I've never managed to have the time and the money simultaneously. I've spent a lot of both in aviation over the years, flying aerobatics, building homebuilts (1.5 completed so far), instructing in warbirds, etc. Finally, it's time for Skip Barber.

I'm sure that I'll love it and, barring any unpleasant and unforeseen surprises, my question is this: Is there any hope of a guy starting at my age (42) and being able to make a living racing? Not being rich, but simply making a living driving open-wheel cars. Am I just fooling myself that it's possible?

If it's not a complete pipe dream, how should I proceed following the 3-day class? Two-day advanced class, lapping, etc.? Then what? Is it possible to get sponsorship for the race series, or is that all necessarily out of pocket?

Thanks in advance for any guidance and advice... :-)

Regards,
Ken

[oldredracer]

Well, there's the one about making a small fortune in racing by starting out with a large one.
And the one about the difference between a Skip Barber instructor and a large pepperoni pizza being that the large pepperoni pizza CAN feed a family of four.
That said, the only way to find out is to jump in. It will take a fortuitous combination of skill and finances. You'll find out fast enough via your three-day and two-day advanced schools if you: A. are having fun and B. have the skills and instincts. Of course, you need to add seat time to that mix as well. What SBRS does best is help you develop the first 80-85% of those skills quickly. You bring the last 15-20% to the table. Along the way, you'll develop friendships and connections which can point the rest of the way. The odds aren't great, but a corny friend of mine used to say" Aim for the eagle so you can bag the pheasant and never have to eat crow." Whether you make the big time or not may not matter so much if you find the journey satisfying.
Best of luck. When you're at Lime Rock be sure to say hi. With a last name like yours, I predict greatness.

[kbalch]

Substitute 'aviation' for 'racing' in that old saw about fortunes and I can attest to the truth of it. Same with flight instruction. :-)

I hear you loud and clear about a & b and the 20% I'll need to bring with me. That said, I'm looking forward to seeing how it works out. I hope I'll be able to bring some piloting instincts to bear, but we'll see how it goes. I'm not counting on the 'big time', but it would be nice not to have to find another, shall we say, more traditional job.

I'm planning to do the 3-day course at Sebring next month. Stay tuned for more questions, no doubt... :-)

Ken

[Yarab]

you'll have a great time ! Bring piles of cash if you want to get good. It's addicting! You'll never make a living at it, but it is a blast. You started 35 years to late. Few 100k down the road you'll be competitive !!

[kbalch]

Well, that's oddly encouraging and depressing at the same time. Hmm...

Ken

[dlippert]

I think what the others are saying diplomatically is that it is extremely unlikely that you will make an actual living as a professional race car drive in open-wheel race cars (or ALMS or Rolex Grand Am) starting into the sport in your forties. However, there are many options available that will offer highly competitive amateur racing over a wide range of budget capabilities. Odds are highly in favor of it being an expense; best to mitigate it by figuring a way to write it off.

[Rosso]

Welcome to the fold! Most fun you can have on 4 wheels - with your clothes on! I started out as a teenage dirt oval pit-rat in the late 1960's, but but waited to age 50 to do the 3-day school. I tell you, you can still be delusional at its completion. It took the 2-Day Advanced to wake me up. Best way to ensure your racing budget is to MARRY your sponsor. If that turns out to be a member of the opposite sex, you hit the jackpot, otherwise, you find out just how bad you really want to race.

[Yarab]

Does Bruce only own 1 hat. Every time I see him he has that same skip barber hat on !
Ron

[dlippert]

Originally Posted by Yarab

Does Bruce only own 1 hat. Every time I see him he has that same skip barber hat on !
Ron

Actually, he isn't wearing a hat.

[kbalch]

Trigger pulled. All signed up for Sebring 3/27-29. Had a nice chat with Kelly. I'll be looking forward to meeting her at some point.

Going Faster should arrive tomorrow.

Now to get some appropriate shoes & gloves...

What am I forgetting?

Ken

[dalyduo]

Not much... Earplugs are a good idea as the cars are numbingly loud. A package of any good drugstore foam throw away earplugs will work... Just remember to put them in before you put your headsock on.

Enjoy Carls book and get relatively narrow racing shoes that maximize pedal feel and you should be fine. Driving Impressions has some inexpensive gloves that I'm partial to. Driving Impressions Link Delta 1 or 2's are perfectly fine. No padding in the palm but I've never had the blistering issue. I see Delta 3's are on sale with padding so if you can stand the color pattern go for it. Probably can't go wrong with Black unless they all have that white palm that's guaranteed to look like hell after two or three uses.

Once the hook is set you'll want your own helmet, drivers suit and seat insert. There are a few Skippy mechanics who make custom foam seat inserts for about a hundred dollar tip and its the best investment you'll ever make. Anchoring your seat in the car is very important as you progress. Not such a big deal at your 3 day but as you progress it makes a big difference that you can't appreciate until you experience it. The seat insert is, in my book, the most important thing to have after your shoes, gloves and helmet.

I see Ron has mentioned a HANS device and I'll amend my comments to say if you get your own helmet... Definitely get a HANS. Most of us use them now and it's all just smart safety and peace of mind.

Hope for decent weather but a little rain is even better as it gives you a more advanced car control challenge.

The only other thing that might help is a good nights sleep the night before.

Originally Posted by kbalch

Trigger pulled. All signed up for Sebring 3/27-29. Had a nice chat with Kelly. I'll be looking forward to meeting her at some point.

Going Faster should arrive tomorrow.

Now to get some appropriate shoes & gloves...

What am I forgetting?

Ken

[kbalch]

OK, that all sounds good.

I'll definitely pick up the earplugs. I've started to research gear and sources from the links in my other thread. I've pretty much narrowed down a list of things to buy (including a Hans - model 30?) prior to my first race weekend. I'll contain myself for now, but will probably start ordering stuff before the 2-day advanced class.

The seat insert sounds great. I know how good a proper seat and harness setup helps from flying aerobatics. There's no substitute for being anchored to the machine.

Is there any reason to spring for the GP-5 over the -5K? I'm a great believer in Arai, so I'll definitely stick with them here.

Sleep? What's that? I'm going to be awake thinking about this for the next three weeks...

Ken

Originally Posted by dalyduo

Not much... Earplugs are a good idea as the cars are numbingly loud. A package of any good drugstore foam throw away earplugs will work... Just remember to put them in before you put your headsock on.

Enjoy Carls book and get relatively narrow racing shoes that maximize pedal feel and you should be fine. Driving Impressions has some inexpensive gloves that I'm partial to. Driving Impressions Link Delta 1 or 2's are perfectly fine. No padding in the palm but I've never had the blistering issue. I see Delta 3's are on sale with padding so if you can stand the color pattern go for it. Probably can't go wrong with Black unless they all have that white palm that's guaranteed to look like hell after two or three uses.

Once the hook is set you'll want your own helmet, drivers suit and seat insert. There are a few Skippy mechanics who make custom foam seat inserts for about a hundred dollar tip and its the best investment you'll ever make. Anchoring your seat in the car is very important as you progress. Not such a big deal at your 3 day but as you progress it makes a big difference that you can't appreciate until you experience it. The seat insert is, in my book, the most important thing to have after your shoes, gloves and helmet.

I see Ron has mentioned a HANS device and I'll amend my comments to say if you get your own helmet... Definitely get a HANS. Most of us use them now and it's all just smart safety and peace of mind.

Hope for decent weather but a little rain is even better as it gives you a more advanced car control challenge.

The only other thing that might help is a good nights sleep the night before.

[HAL]

For more data, here is a suggested reading list - library

Although I must view racing from the sidelines I have every racing book, article,
forum and blog in my data banks and would say these are good selections.

HAL