23Racer

I had an interesting occurance today. On another website populated by a bunch of racers, there was a discussion about racing cars for a living and how hard it is. A lot of guys were discussing the ins and outs of doing this and how you need gobs of money to get anywhere and that made me think of my history and how I got to today. So I typed it up and thought that it might be a good read for you guys as well. For the Coles Notes kind of people;

1) Racing is hard.
2) Lots of people think they are good behind the wheel, but less than 1% ever get paid to race. You have a better chance to become a pro golfer.
3) It takes lots and lots of money.
4) You have to sell your soul.
5) Less than 100 people get paid to drive in North America right now. That includes NASCAR, Indycar, NHRA and all classes of sportscars.

Now what I hacked out today...

Let me tell you my story. Never had any money as a kid. Built drag cars and raced on the streets until I was nailed doing 152 in a 50 zone (KMH). Caught a break from the judge and sold my street racer for a 1973 Capri V6 and went Solo 1. First event, finished second in class. Second event won class and set a track record. Got rides in buddies cars and went faster than them every time. Won class trophies, thought I was king **** and wanted more.

Realized I didn't have the money to go wheel to wheel and Frank Williams wasn't hanging around CASC Solo 1 Events ready to snap me up. Quit racing for a few years, got a real job, crewed for race teams while the bug continued to fester. Got talked into buying a race FIA style direct drive Kart to go wheel to wheel, by my boss. Sucked for the first year. Second year started doing better and my boss at the time started helping me with tires and spare motors from his son's kart. Started doing better with better equipment, then moved up to CASC/ASN National Class as a member of my Bosses team. With top notch equipment started winning consistently and ended up National Class Champion ahead of other guys who went on to win in Formula Atlantic, CART and Grand Am.

Boss realized that at 30, there was no way I could stay light enough to continue to win, so we went Firehawk. Got free cars from Suzuki, good money from NTN and other sponsors and went racing at a PRO level for a year for free, in fact all lodgings and food was covered, I was also receiving my paycheck and was able to keep my job and go test and travel to races when required. Basically a Pro Driver.

Did well with an underpowered car, got a lifetime worth of experiences, ran for 2 years and then realized that I hated what I had to do to maintain the ride. It impacted on every part of my life and while I was on track and well regarded, I was miserable and realized I wasn't willing to sacrifice everything else in my life to go racing. Quit the team just as the owner was looking at Motorola and Formula Atlantic. My replacement and sometime co-driver (mostly slower in the car) was willing to do what it took and he got the rides and did very well.

Ended up quiting my job and getting away from the whole scene. Dropped out of racing for another 5 years until I could afford to do it on my own coin and honestly felt way better for it as I was in control of my own destiny. I am not going to lie and say that I never looked back. I had to deal with ton of what if's, but now I am happy, racing my own stuff and other teams cars as a brought in level headed, fast driver for enduro's. Driven some great stuff, had some great times and realized that I had a better shot at it than most. I have some great trophies, some cool posters and lots of great memories and I am doing way better now overall than if I had pursued the dream.

I know of at least 3 other guys very similar to me.


Something to think about,

Eric

HiWire

Less than 100 people... I guess that really says it all.

I enjoy lapping days and my time at track school, but I never felt like I could do it full time. It seems like even big-time pro teams have trouble making ends meet, so it's no big surprise.

I just saw Rush last week and it's still fresh in my head. It probably makes more sense if you're a winner.

RacerJason

iTrader: (5)

May be speaking out of line here but I think what Eric means by being paid to drive is that racing is their career, their main source of income. I know there are more than 100 drivers who are paid to drive in NA. You want a Chip Herr or a Randy Pobst to drive for you there fees are going to range from $6000 to $10000 plus expenses for the weekend.

Thanks for sharing Eric, and yes, when you discover a God given talent but can't make the most of it for reasons largely out of your control or luck (read: bank account) it's tough. Very happy you found a way to make it all work for you and enjoy yourself.

Alak

iTrader: (9)

I know if I had the bank account I have now, 10 years ago, I'd be racing.

Well, we'd need a race track first of all to do that I suppose.

85RotaryRocket

iTrader: (1)

Hey Eric, My dad Nick Z says hello. I think you two have history on the track?

That's a good read.

2Fierce

iTrader: (7)

alak, do you really own a ferrari 400i? please post photos. please.

Double_J

iTrader: (28)

Thanks for the coles notes. That's my kind of reading

Alak

iTrader: (9)

Its in container storage for the winter. I'll try next time im out there to snap a shot. Its not in the best shape but its complete and I *hope* it runs. If it doesnt it probably wont before I retire haha.

23Racer

Actually, in the discussions that went on both of those guys were mentioned specifically as paid sportscar drivers. A lot of guys double dip in a number of different series to try to make things work, but survive doing coaching, ride and drive days or working in other industries to pay the bills. There is a difference in getting paid to drive and earning enough, regularily enough to afford a home and mortgage and a family.

I have 2 friends that made the sacrifices to make it to a Pro level with various levels of success. Both are very talented, have won championships, races, trophies and cheques and should be recognized as some of the most talented wheelmen in Canada. They have been offered rides at the Trans Am level, back when Trans Am was good (when Ron Fellows was in the series). However in both cases they needed strong money to secure the ride. Most of the "Pro" level drivers that are in almost all levels of motorsports if they are not bringing family or personal business money to the table, still require outside sponsorship to secure (pay for) the ride and earn enough to survive. At least half of the F1 Grid operates this way and almost all of the Pro level road racing. Almost all teams will dump a better driver with no money or limited money for a poorer driver with bucket loads (cough, cough Max Chilton, Russian or Venezuelan driver du jour).

So, the best way to get a seat at nexct years Daytona 24 Hours is to either win a lottery, develop the next Google or be a Hollywood actor. Deals for the 24 hours now run like $20,000 + $5,000 insurance premium + $10,000 cashier's check for crash damage. $35,000 to run at a mid to back level team. To run a full season as a rent a driver in Gard Am GS will run you close to $350,000, if you are good enough. Higher if you are a typical rich guy wanna bee.

Eric

'Ryuji'

This was a great read, Thanks 23

2Fierce

iTrader: (7)

Really the problem is the Canadian market. If you want to play hockey, move to Canada, if you want to race cars...this isn't the place to do it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Spengler