Can you give this 15 year old some Advice?

[Vi'ante_f]

Is it too late for Single Seat Racing? I'm 15 years old, and I really want to become a Renault or F3 Driver. I'll NEVER make F1 despite a handful of f1 drivers starting late. I have a better chance if getting ate by a Shark in the Arabian Desert than going F1.

Haha, I'm gonna be racing at the WKA Karting Nationals next year and hopefully with Sponsorship I can catch a ride on Formula Ford and race in that series. Now how exactly do I get too Renault or F3 from Formula Ford, obviously you have to win, but please elaborate. Also I know you need Money and LOTS OF IT! You don't have to reiterate this too me.

When I'm 18, I plan to move to Europe, and study Mechanical Engineering/Physics. Also in Europe, Open Wheel racing is WAY MORE POPULAR. I live in the USA, and half my friends don't even know what Formula Racing is

Thanks Guys, and God bless.

[Kiril Varbanov]

Hi, I have something translated in my blog, from professional in the field - it might be useful for you.

[Vi'ante_f]

Hi, I have something translated in my blog, from professional in the field - it might be useful for you.

Aha! Just what I was looking for. =D>

How many years of Karting Experience with a consistency of Top Finishes(5), Podiums, and Championships before moving up to Formula Ford?

[Vi'ante_f]

Hi, I have something translated in my blog, from professional in the field - it might be useful for you.

Hold on! Haha, I had a conversation with an Aerodynamics Engineer for a Race Car team. He stated that if I was to be extremely successful in Karting, then it would benefit me more to talk to Formula Renault teams rather than Formula Ford.

Would you agree?

Anybody?

[Kiril Varbanov]

Hi, I have something translated in my blog, from professional in the field - it might be useful for you.

Hold on! Haha, I had a conversation with an Aerodynamics Engineer for a Race Car team. He stated that if I was to be extremely successful in Karting, then it would benefit me more to talk to Formula Renault teams rather than Formula Ford.

Would you agree?

Anybody?

I would, the Renault variant is different than Ford, more sophisticated, and you definitely need to be prepared for this "one step further", as opposed to the gradual rising with Ford.

Good luck with your endeavors, I hope to have the chance to write some articles for your future career

[Vi'ante_f]

Hi, I have something translated in my blog, from professional in the field - it might be useful for you.

Hold on! Haha, I had a conversation with an Aerodynamics Engineer for a Race Car team. He stated that if I was to be extremely successful in Karting, then it would benefit me more to talk to Formula Renault teams rather than Formula Ford.

Would you agree?

Anybody?

I would, the Renault variant is different than Ford, more sophisticated, and you definitely need to be prepared for this "one step further", as opposed to the gradual rising with Ford.

Good luck with your endeavors, I hope to have the chance to write some articles for your future career

I see, a Racecar Enthusiast told me that a Formula Renault 2.0 Drivers would earn about 20k from Sponsors, now this is extra money most of the Sponsor Money goes to afford the Racing. Now I heard 20k is fair in the UK, where I'll be racing. But 20k is pretty much useless in the USA. I don't understand the conversion between the US and UK but I'm wondering if anyone will understand

[gato azul]

20k of what? €,$, Pound
I would not worry too much about what you will get paid, it will be a long way to this point anyway, and if this is your main objective/consideration right from the outset, then "Good luck".

As for the Formula Ford gig, is a two sided sword/coin.
Coming out of karts, you where racing without aerodynamics and without any form of tunable suspension (dampers, springs etc.). I know, that you tune chassis stiffness in Karts, but I think you will know what I mean.
Formula Ford offers you the option, to learn a lot about "mechanical grip" and chassis tuning, what a roll center change or damper change will feel like from behind the wheel, and what it does to the handling of the car.
After you have mastered this, you can go FR GP3, F3 o some other series which involves aerodynamic and wings etc.
I don't thing, a season or two Formula Ford will hurt you, can learn to properly shift as well.

Now, it's maybe easier to find sponsors for a "car with wings", because they look cooler, that was a reason behind Formula BMW etc, but you will facing a steeper learning curve, trying to get your head around mechanical and aerodynamic setups.

Good luck in any case.

[Vi'ante_f]

20k of what? €,$, Pound
I would not worry too much about what you will get paid, it will be a long way to this point anyway, and if this is your main objective/consideration right from the outset, then "Good luck".

As for the Formula Ford gig, is a two sided sword/coin.
Coming out of karts, you where racing without aerodynamics and without any form of tunable suspension (dampers, springs etc.). I know, that you tune chassis stiffness in Karts, but I think you will know what I mean.
Formula Ford offers you the option, to learn a lot about "mechanical grip" and chassis tuning, what a roll center change or damper change will feel like from behind the wheel, and what it does to the handling of the car.
After you have mastered this, you can go FR GP3, F3 o some other series which involves aerodynamic and wings etc.
I don't thing, a season or two Formula Ford will hurt you, can learn to properly shift as well.

Now, it's maybe easier to find sponsors for a "car with wings", because they look cooler, that was a reason behind Formula BMW etc, but you will facing a steeper learning curve, trying to get your head around mechanical and aerodynamic setups.

Good luck in any case.

I understand, so you're saying discount Formula Renault all together and focus on mastering the technique in Formula Ford and move up too GP3/F3? I will turn better in GP3/F3 due too strong downforce being present. I understand that Formula Ford will teach me the basics behind suspension geometry\compliance and weight distribution of a somewhat larger Open Wheel Vehicle, but is their an exact reason why this couldn't be learned in a series with "Wings"?

[copperkipper1]

I wouldn't expect much at all unless you have been Karting from the age of 10-12 with strong family support.