How can I become a race car driver?

It's not the fact that you're a girl that'll keep you out. You've started far too late. And to become a professional racing driver is a long process that costs an absolute fortune. $4000 for a second-hand kart just to start, and you won't be competitive in that. Try $10,000 for a competitive kart season at LEAST. $250,000 for Formula Ford, $500,000 if you want to be competitive at that level. And there won't be any sponsors interested in you. There's an old motorsport saying and it goes like this: "How do you make a small fortune out of motor racing? Start with a large one!"

I know I am late on this and I am no sick and tired of people crushing someone's dreams. Well, it is expensive and hard to make it in racing only a few do not because of skills but because of their mind set. You are so young, you can do whatever you want, you just need to tell yourself everyday that you will become what you want. I suggest you read Napoleon's Hill book called "Think and Grow Rich". Read the book and apply the principles in it. Believe it and reread the book a few times. Once you train your mindset, you WILL reach your dreams. Also, look up Bob Proctor, an amazing man who was nothing until 26 years old, its an amazing story. You will make it if you believe it with the right mindset. And do NOT listen to anyone else. you go for it and do not stop until you reach your goals. Always aim high. Remember, it took Thomas Edison 10,000 tries before he succeeded with the light bulb! Good luck!

As an old friend of a retired racer who wrecked his can honestly say that racing comes at an early age and at the cost of time and money. My friend spent most of his time practicing his skills such as braking, understeer,drifting, testing parts, understand limits of parts, and even racing behind good racers to get an idea of how he needs to improve. Money is a large part of the problem with being a professional racer. You need to spend a good amount of money in order to afford a good car that can withstand racing. My advice is to find a local racing club that focuses more on racing and helping people learn how to race. Also, make sure they understand that racing is to be kept on closed courses and not endanger people by recklessly racing out on public roads. Learn about all the different parts that are compatible with all vehicles. If you can, watch the Drift Bible by Keiichi Tsuchiya the founder of drifting. The only way to get better is to practice. The only way to practice is to find a place to race and that means paying for your own gas, parts, time, etc. A racer always finds time to practice no matter what. Do not be baited into street drag racing at night where you can get arrested. The code my friend always followed was that racing is a profession not a joke. I once sat in his WRX Sti once and a group of kids revved their engines at a red light to get him to race. All he did when the light turned green was continue at his normal pace while the others sped off. So all I can say is, find a car, understand the parts, find your own technique that can outplay a rival if you have one. Also, watch Initial D. A lot of my friends who are car enthusiasts say that that is the anime that got them seriously into racing.

I can/t believe how many times we see this question? Get out of the house, go see some real races, talk to the drivers. Ask THEM, how they got started. Racing cars, takes a lot of nerve and guts. I used to pit for a modified dirt racer, and I had a 12 second 1/4 mile '68 Firebird. Not everyone becomes a Star.

One stop shopping. Race school, practice days, instructors, several different racing series. http://www.skipbarber.com/formula.asp Pay no attention to some of the incorrect garbage posted here. Julia Landauer was a Skip Barber Formula Ford champion at age 14. Your age won't hold you back. Lack of money will. http://www.julialandauer.com/img/Julia%20EPK.pdf