Dark $ecrets – The Realities of Pro Racing

[gran racing]

A few years ago I was introduced to the harsh realities of professional road racing in the U.S., but realize many people haven’t been exposed to this side. For the past few months I’ve been working on a series of articles that discusses what it’s really like from a financial perspective, how to become a “pro” driver, to a behind-the-scenes look into a top notch team. While I thought I understood how things operate, there plenty of aspects I found eye opening.

Among the many people I spoke with, Eric Curran who started in ITB and whose father I race against discussed his experiences. Jake Gulick and I were also fortunate enough to meet with Duncan Dayton whose the owner of back-to-back American Le Mans team Highcroft racing. Talk about impressive!

I thought that many of you would find this an interesting read. As part of rolling this series out, I’ve also made several enhancements to how the site is organized which should make it more user-friendly. It’s also being expanded to include many more advanced topics such as race tire technology (Hoosier has been a great help with this!).

Thanks again for all of the continued support! If you end up liking this, I’d really appreciate you sharing it with others.

Introduction to Series (http://www.goaheadtakethewheel.com/blog/introduction-dark-ecrets-the-realities-of-professional-road-racing/)

Part I - Dark $ecrets – The Realities of Pro Racing (http://www.goaheadtakethewheel.com/blog/secrets-professional-racing/)

[dhardison]

Dave, how could you write such a thing and crush the dreams of a fellow ITBer?!?!?!? :D

Seriously, nice articles and VERY eye-opening. I'm looking forward to future editions.

Dan

[gran racing]

I still had hope of having a career with a pro team then Duncan from Highcroft told us how many hours a day his staff works.... Gulp. Almost seems like for some of these gigs you need to be single or have the significant other in racing too.

[Chip42]

I still had hope of having a career with a pro team then Duncan from Highcroft told us how many hours a day his staff works.... Gulp. Almost seems like for some of these gigs you need to be single or have the significant other in racing too.

^^^ the #1 reason i didn't persue a job in pro racing. by the time I was out of college with my BSME I had a dog and a desire to see him once or twice a year. now I'm married with a baby. I always wondered why dad never did the things he said he always wished he had. it takes a special breed that it at once selfless and humble yet completely selfish at the same time. most of us just cant or wont do it.

good stuff Dave. keep it up!

[ITA_honda]

What a great article! I enjoyed reading it. Has a lot of useful information. How about those rental prices, eh?:o:D

[Drew M]

I look forward to reading. I've tried to become part of the Highcroft team many times (as a volunteer) for the same reason of learning what it takes to go pro racing and it's nearly impossible.

[gran racing]

Thanks guys!!!

I was actually really surprised with how much time Duncan spent with us. We were allotted an hour but went over that just talking, then on top of that he personally gave us a tour of the facility. This was all right before they left to Sebring and the new car was still in pieces.

[lateapex911]

Thanks guys!!!

I was actually really surprised with how much time Duncan spent with us. We were allotted an hour but went over that just talking, then on top of that he personally gave us a tour of the facility. This was all right before they left to Sebring and the new car was still in pieces.

And those pieces were REALLY cool to look at and try and figure out how they all assembled!

Chip, I had a friend in Cali who was a bright engineer. He was into cars, so at lunch we'd BS. He did a little engineering on the side for some racers and was offered positions. I asked why he didn't take them. "Why would I? Yea, racing's cool and all, but I can work 9-5 right here in SoCal, play with even cooler aerospace bits, be home on the weekends, AND get paid more, with full benefits and retirement."

Oh, I see, LOL.

Even for the top dog teams, it's a sketchy deal. Duncan runs a top notch organization. But he's not immune to the changing winds of the sponsorship realities, and when the tsunami hits, and Honda pulls out, the money dries up. Same is true for firms like Boeing, of course, but on a lesser scale.

[Ron Earp]

Thanks for posting that. I re-posted your links with your credit to another forum of folks that might be interested.

[gran racing]

Much appreciated Ron.

My hope is that somehow people will become interested enough and learn how much fun Club Racing is that they give that a try even if the intent is as a stepping stone.

[924Guy]

Damn straight. Haven't read the piece, but am looking forward to it. Having known a few guys who've flirted with that side, and having ready access to it myself as a career path - I much prefer coming home on the weekend and playing with my own racecars than sitting on the sideline trying to make someone else's car faster, and never getting a weekend off.

Actually, that sounds like my life now with the DSR, only I'd have a paycheck... LOL

[Kai Noeske]

Damn straight. Haven't read the piece, but am looking forward to it. Having known a few guys who've flirted with that side, and having ready access to it myself as a career path - I much prefer coming home on the weekend and playing with my own racecars than sitting on the sideline trying to make someone else's car faster, and never getting a weekend off.

Actually, that sounds like my life now with the DSR, only I'd have a paycheck... LOL

:) Except noone is gonna kick your butt out of your beloved DSR if a new hotshot kid shows up and does a better laptime...!

[Greg Amy]

:) Except noone is gonna kick your butt out of your beloved DSR if a new hotshot kid shows up and has more money.
Fixed.

[gran racing]

Exactly Greg! Curren's forthcoming article talks about a successful year he had, only to lose his ride to exactly what you said - another driver willing to pay.

[SMac92]

It was my initial goal to move from karts to the FV and then try to move into the pro F2000 series either using my dads car or renting. I went to a racing camp/school one year before I started in the FV. The instructors were all pro racers from California, Virginia and pretty much everywhere. An instructor suggested I go for the Skip Barber National series. So I looked into it, once I saw it was 40k for a season I decided to give up and just have fun with it. I paid for pretty much everything and there is no way I was going to do well in FV with the money I had. (I was 6th at the biggest race of the year until my steering broke at Summit Point T10 and I ended up clearing the gravel and hitting the tires at 85mph)After that I sold the FV and bought my IT car last year and it's awesome. I do feel bad for people in pro racing, I don't see how it can be any fun.

Steven

[RedMisted]

I do feel bad for people in pro racing, I don't see how it can be any fun.

It can be tons of fun, as long as you, the driver, have ton$ of personal ca$h to throw around year in and year out... :blink:

It's interesting, because sometimes an old friend will contact me after doing a web search and begin asking questions about my racing. "OMG, you ARE a race car driver? Neato! Where can I watch you on TV?" I always reply that I'm not a pro racer, but that it doesn't necessarily make any difference. For any of us could be Senna incarnate for all we know, but without the big money to show it...

[Andy Bettencourt]

The highs are very high and the lows can be very low.

[gran racing]

Part 2 of the series is now up.

Dark $ecrets – When Things Go Wrong ( http://www.goaheadtakethewheel.com/blog/dark-ecrets-when-things-go-wrong/)

[gran racing]

The next article in the series is now posted:

http://www.goaheadtakethewheel.com/blog/dark-ecrets-sponsorships-getting-paid/

[ITEGT]

Dave,
Great articles!!!

I really enjoy reading them and also wanted to say "thank you." Your book "Go ahead- Take the wheel Racing on your budget" was a great guide and one that I often came back to through out the different stages of my first race car build. Ive completed my SCCA double school and finished three races so far this year. :023:

Anthony
MiDiv #28
ITE Mustang

[gran racing]

That's awesome Anthony, thanks for posting! :)

[Flyinglizard]

60-80 % of the field at the pro road races are paying to be there. Very few are paid to drive. Some of the crew work for 100$ per, just to be around race cars. It is a long , hot, job.
The Nationwide Nascar is a little better, maybe the top 10-15 are paid, the rest have some sort of vested interest in the outcome. Many rent rides @ 20-50k per race.

[Mseiler]

Dave,
Great articles!!!

I really enjoy reading them and also wanted to say "thank you." Your book "Go ahead- Take the wheel Racing on your budget" was a great guide and one that I often came back to through out the different stages of my first race car build. Ive completed my SCCA double school and finished three races so far this year. :023:

Anthony
MiDiv #28
ITE Mustang

My son & I are also in our first season of Club Racing. In reading all that goes on in "Pro" racing it makes what we've done all that much more satisfying. To have bought a car almost 8 years ago from a private seller(bad radiator, ripped top, lousy paint...it was love at first sight) and to build it year after year going from autocross to time trials/hill climbs and now Club Racing is an experience like no other. Yes, it's "cheaper" to buy a log booked car and go racing but, that first podium finish (2nd of 4 in class) was the greatest...with my son, my car, our blood, sweat & tears...and his Mom there as crew chief at every event along the way. I don't think winning an F1 title can hold a candle to that.

[Eagle7]

My son & I are also in our first season of Club Racing. In reading all that goes on in "Pro" racing it makes what we've done all that much more satisfying. To have bought a car almost 8 years ago from a private seller(bad radiator, ripped top, lousy paint...it was love at first sight) and to build it year after year going from autocross to time trials/hill climbs and now Club Racing is an experience like no other. Yes, it's "cheaper" to buy a log booked car and go racing but, that first podium finish (2nd of 4 in class) was the greatest...with my son, my car, our blood, sweat & tears...and his Mom there as crew chief at every event along the way. I don't think winning an F1 title can hold a candle to that.
:happy204::happy204::happy204:

[JLawton]

My son & I are also in our first season of Club Racing. In reading all that goes on in "Pro" racing it makes what we've done all that much more satisfying. To have bought a car almost 8 years ago from a private seller(bad radiator, ripped top, lousy paint...it was love at first sight) and to build it year after year going from autocross to time trials/hill climbs and now Club Racing is an experience like no other. Yes, it's "cheaper" to buy a log booked car and go racing but, that first podium finish (2nd of 4 in class) was the greatest...with my son, my car, our blood, sweat & tears...and his Mom there as crew chief at every event along the way. I don't think winning an F1 title can hold a candle to that.

Ahmen!!

[Flyinglizard]

Cant buy that time. My Son and Ihave built a few cars also. That is what it is all about. MM

[Mseiler]

We have truly been blessed. And, it's not just the fact that we're getting to do this as a family but, the great people we've come to know along the way. It has made for a great life.

[gran racing]

This next article is about an ITB driver who progressed up the ladder.
Eric's father continues to race in the N.E. (I race with him regularly).

One thing that makes his story a bit unique compared to most is that he didn't do it using a lot of his own money and was done by putting himself in the right places, luck, and a lot of talent.

During our discussion he talked about his Realtime experience and while he laughed about it, one could tell that was a rude wake up call to the realities of this sport.

Insight from a Pro Who Made It: Eric Curran (http://www.goaheadtakethewheel.com/blog/pro-racing-tips-eric-curran/)

[gran racing]

Jake Gulick and I were fortunate enough to be able to sit down with the owner of Highcroft Racing, Duncan Dayton. I have to say it was really cool and insightful on what it's like as an AMLS team. Great guy and a true racer a heart. It's worth the read but of course I maybe slightly biased. lol

Here's the linky to the article. (http://www.goaheadtakethewheel.com/blog/a-look-into-highcroft-racing/)

[joeg]

Simply EXCELLENT!!

[gt40jim]

My eye opener was the year Al Sr won Indy in 87. He was let go by Penske at the end of 1986 due to money and his ride went to Danny Ongais using Ted Fields money. He walked the garages looking for a ride. "King Hiro" had three chassis/engine combos to try using Panasonic Money. A rookie with no wins. Danny O crashed and got a concussion so Penske put Al back in and he won. Had he not crashed, Al would have been without a ride, a three time winner at that point!!!!!!$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ :rolleyes:

[gran racing]

I couldn't believe how nervous I was going into the Duncan interview. Of course I forgot the voice recorder in the truck and needed to quickly run and get it. If this had been about topics I didn't care about so much, it would have been much easier (but not nearly as exciting).

There were many things that I thought were really cool about this experience, including how busy they were but Duncan never rushed us and after a long interview gave us a tour of the place personally. I was a fan of Highcroft and this boosted things for me at least.