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Race Car Driver

What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Hospitality and Tourism cluster Recreation, Amusements and Attractions pathway.

Insider Info

Additional Information

This is a tough business to get into. Sources say one of the best ways to get into the race car business is to go to the local track and hang out. Get to know the people who do this work, including the owners and mechanics. You may start out fetching tires, cleaning up messes and so on, but you will get to know the right people in the process.

No matter where you live, there should be a track nearby where you can make some contacts.

If you are patient, sooner or later you will run into someone in racing, whether it's an uncle with a weekend hobby or an acquaintance who works as a racing mechanic, says Mark Raffauf of International Motorsports. Tell them you're keen on the sport and want to get involved.

There are also driving schools that offer three- to five-day courses in performance driving. They are expensive -- around $2,000 -- but you'll soon find out whether or not you have what it takes.

Upon completion of some of these courses, you will be eligible for licensing by sanctioning bodies, such as the International Motorsports Association.

You'll need licensing in order to race. Contact a local driving school for more details.