How To Become A Racing Driver
If you are a fan of Auto Racing, you will find yourself on the internet typing in this question: “How To Become A Race Car Driver”.
I did the same thing. After racing Motocross and Enduro professionally for over a decade, I was looking for a new challenge and I wanted to go car racing. Unfortunately there is very little good information when it comes to this topic and most of it is very discouraging, suggesting that it will cost you multiple 6 figures just to get started. I successfully made the transition to become a race car driver and I can tell you it can be very AFFORDABLE if you do it right.
In 2020 at the age 31 I made the switch from motorcycles to car racing and to my surprise it wasn’t as expensive as expected. Let’s break it down and give you the ultimate guide to becoming a race car driver. This is the perfect step by step guide for you if you are looking to get into sportscar racing as a gentlemen driver, meaning that you will fund your own racing. As a new driver you will have to pay to get into the car so this entire guide assumes that you are able to afford the basic expenses of going racing.
First steps into the world of car racing in Mexican Formula 5
Step 1: Get on a Race Track
Before you even consider investing any further into your racing dream you HAVE to get on a track in a car that is set up for track action, to see if you really want to do this. It’s important to find an opportunity that allows you proper track time, so you can get used to the car, the track and have enough time to build some confidence. My first track experience was a track day in Willow Springs, in a road car that was not set up for a race track and I got a total of 20 minutes of track time across two sessions. I had with no instructions which was a horrible way to start my journey into racing cars. I left there more frustrated than excited. The next time I got on a track was 6 months later in Mexico where I rented a Formula 5 car for a track day with an instructor. The track was open from 10 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon, giving me plenty of time to get used to the car and receive feedback from my instructor. This was the day that got me hooked on racing cars.
Every time I talk to people that are interested in getting into Auto Racing I share this experience because I see so many new drivers make the same mistake. They get in the car on a busy track, feel completely out of place and struggle to really enjoy the experience and learn from it. If racing cars is something you really want to do, this is one of your most important days so make sure you research where you want to start and plan your budget accordingly. A private or small group session with other beginner drivers and a professional instructor are ideal. Make sure you get at least 2 hours of track time across several sessions so you can take your time and really get a good idea of driving a race car around a track.
Now how much does this experience cost? I paid $1200 for a full day which included the car, an instructor, two mechanics and catering. I lived in San Diego at the time so it was worth flying to Mexico City for me to get this much track time. Depending on where you live you should be able to find a similar experience for between $1200 and $5000. Don’t try to get your first track experience in a Porsche, Ferrari or any other powerful Sportscar. You want a small single seater or hatchback that is set up for racing but is not an absolute handful to drive. As good as you are on the Playstation, this is a different story. You want to maximize your track time, allow for a spin or two and lock up into turn 1 without having to fork out a couple thousand dollars just for a set of tires. At this stage in your journey time in the car and on the track is a lot more important than sitting in the fastest car.
If you are not sure where to get started, I have a list of driving experiences that I recommend so feel free to reach out here:
First race in a Chevy ST Light 2.
Step 2: This Is Fun! Let’s Go Racing!
After I did a full day on the track I was completely hooked. This was the complete opposite of my first experience in Willow Springs. I decided to do 3 more track day/ training sessions in the same Formula 5 car in order to really work on my driving skills. Between on track coaching, video and data analysis and getting more comfortable in the car I was able to get my lap times in a competitive window. At this point I decided to enter my first race with the same company that provided me with the training days. I entered a touring car race in a small Chevy hatchback and ended up with a double podium ( two 2nd places) for my first race on four wheels.
This was the second thing I learned…. Take your time and don’t jump straight into a race. I get it, “racers race” and we all want to line up and go door to door with the competition as soon as possible BUT racing is a lot more fun when you are competitive and fight for podiums! For me personally it made a massive difference to gain some track experience, make some mistakes and then learn from them on my own instead of a crowded race track. Once you go racing your track time is really limited so you have to be ready when you get there. Once you start racing it also becomes a little bit more expensive. You need your racing license (the company that provided my track days also signed off on my racing license once my lap times were good enough), depending on your racing experience and the rules of your local racing organization you will have to pay to do your license course and then pay your annual racing license fee. The course can usually be done for a couple hundred to a couple thousand bucks and the annual fee in my case is $250. You will also need the proper equipment: Helmet, HANS device, Nomex suit and underwear, racing shoes. Depending on how cool you want to look you can spend anywhere between $1000 and $10,000 on this set up. As a newcomer, don't go crazy.
My first race broke down like this (not including the equipment):
License $250
Entry Fee $400
Track Day on Friday before the race: $150
Arrive and Drive Team Package: $1800
For $2600 I completed my first car race. A total of 4 hours of seat time across 2 days, two trophies and a whole lot of fun later.
Four track days for a total of $4800, about $2000 in race equipment and a race weekend for $2600. For less than $10,000 USD I had spent a total of 16 hours in a race car on a track and had my first race experience that showed me that I’m good enough in a car to really start pursuing this sport.
Copa 1.8 Touring Car racing Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City.
Step 3: Arrive and Drive Is The Way To Go!
Remember you want to be a race car driver and not a mechanic! For $10K I would have not been able to buy a race car, transport it, set it up and go racing. Not even close. That’s why I’m a strong proponent of NOT buying your own race car in the beginning. Spent that money on actually getting on the track in someone else's car. Arrive and Drive programs allow you to show up and have everything taken care of for you. It will also give you access to mechanics and engineers that can help you with the car set up as well as a good network in the racing community, so you are part of the “racing scene” from day one instead of trying to figure everything out yourself. Arrive and Drive programs are available in almost every category and in all different budget ranges.
“For less than $10,000 USD I had spent a total of 16 hours in a race car on a track and had my first race experience that showed me that I’m good enough in a car to really start pursuing this sport.
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Step 4: Find The Right Program For You.
Be ready to travel! I lived in San Diego, California but started my auto racing journey in Mexico. The simple reason was affordability. I found a program and a race series that offered me amazing bang for my buck. It is often worth it to spend some money on a flight and hotel and find somewhere more affordable to drive. This could be in another State or another country, depending on where you live.
TC 2000 Touring Car in Puebla, Mexico.
Step 5: Stick With A Programm
Above you read about my start in car racing. I spent the first 4 years of my car racing life in Mexico, racing different categories on some really nice tracks and building amazing life long friendships along the way. In 2021 (my first year in racing) I did a total of 12 races, two years later in 2023 I did 14 races between Mexico and Asia and it’s only getting busier from here. My first season of car racing cost me a total of $43,000 USD. As I mentioned in the beginning this guid on “How To Become A Race Car Driver” requires you to be able to have some money available to get started. I did an entire season for less than it would cost me to buy a racing car. 12 races of experience, some crashes, multiple wins and podiums and a passion for car racing that will stick with me for the rest of my life.
As you can see, going racing is not free or “cheap” but it doesn’t have to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars just to get started. I could have raced 6 races in my first season and paid close to $20k for the year. Less than $2k a month to go car racing.
If you are looking to get started on the race track I hope this encourages you to give it a go. It’s absolutely possible to get out there and race even on a smaller budget, with no prior karting expierence and then build up from there. If you are unsure of where to start or would like to get connected to some of the teams that helped me get started, feel free to send me an email. I would be more than happy to help get you started.