Race Car Drivers

The best way to explore this career and build your driving skills is to participate in go-kart racing and other types of youth racing programs. For example, Youth Racers of America (https://youthracersofamerica.com) offers a variety of opportunities including go-karts, junior sprint and micro sprint cars, quarter midget racing cars, miniature drag cars, and miniature stock cars. The organization also offers camps and a career program that educates young people about other occupations in the racing industry. Racing events for youth are also offered by the National Auto Sport Association (via its Teen Mazda Challenge Series https://drivenasa.com/teen-mazda-challenge), National Hot Rod Association (https://www.nhra.com/jr-street), World Drag Racing Alliance (https://www.racewdra.com/teen-racing), and other organizations.

Talk with race car drivers about their careers. Suggested interview questions include: What made you want to enter this career? What do you like most and least about your job? How did you train for this field? What are some key skills for success? What advice would you give to young people about preparing for the field and being successful on the job?

A wealth of information about automotive racing is available on the Internet. Visit the Web sites of Formula One, INDYCAR, International Hot Rod Association, International Motor Sports Association, NASCAR, National Auto Sport Association, National Hot Rod Association, Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, and other organizations for information on competitions, youth opportunities, glossaries of key terms, answers to FAQs, and other resources.