There’s no adrenaline rush quite like what racing provides. Whether it’s banging doors on a quarter-mile oval, hitting 180 mph on a superspeedway, or hanging onto the handlebars as your motorcycle careens through the esses, racing is a thrilling, rewarding sport. But for anyone who wants to go from the couch to the cockpit, it can seem like a daunting leap.
The good news is that, like any hobby or passion, where there’s a will, there’s a way. You can ease the transition by knowing what to do and expect. Having worked in auto racing for 14 years, been a fan all my life, and raced a couple of times myself (don’t ask me how it went), I’ve seen and experienced a lot regarding people trying to break into the sport. Using this experience along with additional information and expertise, I’ve put together a basic guide for beginners who want to get into racing.
Where and What Should You Race?
The first thing to consider is where you want to start racing and which types of cars you want to drive. There are many local options for each. An oval-shaped short track is ideal for stock cars and modifieds. These tracks tend to be tightly run and organized by a promoter or sanctioning body, with weekly events held throughout the summer along with some special events. You’ll find asphalt and dirt oval tracks, with each requiring unique stills.
The other option is a road course, where you’ll often find sports cars, motorcycles, and vintage cars. Apart from a few big events and series, these tend to be more sporadic and loosely organized. It’s often referred to as “club racing.” Certain people will also tell you road courses are more technically challenging and “real” than oval racing, although I can tell you first-hand that oval racing is no walk in the park.
Once you’ve decided on a venue and basic vehicle type, learn everything you can about it. Questions to ask include:
- What is the schedule of events?
- Are there any age restrictions for drivers or crew members?
- What classes or divisions do they have, and what are the rules?
- What steps do I need to take to get approved for competition, such as getting a racing license or competing in another division?
Should You Consider Karting?
Many people recommend racing go-karts before jumping into full-size cars. These small machines are certainly viable jumping-off points, as they cost less to run and provide a more controlled environment for learning. Some of the world’s greatest drivers from all disciplines began in the karting ranks, including Ayrton Senna, Max Verstappen, Tony Stewart, Lewis Hamilton, Jeff Gordon, Alex Palou, and Connor Zilisch.
That said, karts and racing schools aren’t always necessary. Many tracks offer divisions that cater to low-budget options for first-time racers, including Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Dwarf Cars. At some venues, you’ll even find youth divisions for kids and early teenagers. They drive less powerful cars with a focus on learning.
Other Tips for Getting Into Racing
Figuring out the where and the what is a foundation of how to get your start, but there’s a lot more to it. I could easily write a book about the topic, but here, I’ll limit it to the six biggest tips for first-time racers.
Start Small and Keep Your Expectations Modest
I’ve witnessed people jump headfirst into the top division of a track or series. Occasionally, they end up successful. Famously, NASCAR Hall of Famer Ricky Rudd had never raced stock cars before he entered his first Cup Series event. More often, these drivers struggle for two or three years, spend a couple of hundred grand, and then disappear from the racing scene.
I always recommend that aspiring racers join an entry-level division and set realistic goals for their first two to three years, such as finishing the feature event rather than an overall win. If you’re making progress, enjoying yourself, and want a further challenge, start setting higher goals or move up a division. Set yourself up for a lifetime of racing rather than burning out early.
Make Sure Your Car is Legal and Safe
There are two things you don’t want to be known for as a new racer: being a cheater and being dangerous. Whether you’re buying the race car or building it yourself, go through it with a rulebook in hand to ensure it’s compliant with the regulations. The one thing to invest a lot in as a newbie racer is safety equipment. Get the best helmet, driver’s suit, belts, gloves, seat, and everything else you can afford. Crashes will happen, especially as you’re just starting out, but you can greatly reduce the risk of injury with good safety gear.
Take Advantage of Practice Time
The most effective way to improve at something is to spend time doing it. On race days, try to be there and ready when practice starts. If the track holds an open practice day before or during the season, show up and get as many laps in as possible. You might even consider renting the track if allowed. Those laps add up, giving you more experience for when the green flag drops.
Learn Some Basic Mechanical Knowledge
You don’t need to be able to build a race car from scratch to know how to drive one, although many people still do so, especially in lower divisions. That said, you should know at least a few things about engines, suspension components, aerodynamics, and other aspects of race cars. This helps you understand what you’re feeling in the car and how it reacts to certain conditions and changes. You’ll also be able to perform basic repairs during an event, rather than letting a simple issue, such as a flat tire or a loose quarter-panel, end your day.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Even entry-level racing is impossible to do alone, never mind if you want to be successful. But the racing community is very welcoming to anyone who wants to join. If you ask nicely, you’d be surprised how many people are willing to lend a hand, whether that’s finding crew members to help you at the track or in the shop, getting setup and driving tips from veterans of the track and division, securing sponsors to help cover the costs of racing, or speaking with officials about how certain procedures work.
Learn From Your Mistakes
Every new racer is going to make mistakes, whether hitting the curb, spinning someone out, putting the incorrect air pressure in the tires, or lining up at the wrong time to practice. It’s only a problem if, after a few years, you’re consistently making the same mistakes you did when you started. Even worse is when some drivers may not even realize they’re screwing up. When something goes wrong, analyze the situation afterward, figure out if there is something you could have done differently, and then apply that knowledge to reduce the chances of it happening again.
Get Up and Go
That’s the basic blueprint for cracking into the circle of legal auto racing. It will take some elbow grease on your part, and plenty of unexpected situations will come up. Yet once you’ve gotten a taste, racing grabs a hold of you. I know plenty of people who have spent decades racing and stay involved after their driving careers are done.
The last tip I have is to remember to have fun. Only a tiny percentage of racers will ever make a living at the sport, but nothing stops you from enjoying the journey and making lifelong friendships along the way. Now is as good a time as ever to get ready for your first season on the track.
