how hard is it to become a rally driver?
82151
Get a licence\nIn Britain, from January 1 this year, the licensing rules were changed and every driver wishing to contest stage rallies now has to hold a Stage Rally Competition Licence.\n\nComplete novices will have to complete a BARS (British Association of Rally schools) course and apply to British rallying's governing body, the MSA, for a "Go Rallying Pack". For £39 you will receive an MSA Competitors' yearbook, a novice application and a video on rallying.\n\nThe next step is attending one of the 10 registered BARS schools for a 15-minute theory test and a driving test lasting roughly 10 minutes. If you successfully pass both, you can send off your application and a 'National B' status licence will be yours.\n\nThe National B licence\nThis piece of paper is your gateway to the various national rally championships at clubman level. Alternatively you could join a one-make series, of which there are currently four in the UK run by Peugeot, Ford and Volkswagen.\n\nThere are advantages to both but with a one-make series you will learn fast and compete against people at your level. A full season in a one-make series will be relatively cost effective and coupled with that you have the back-up of a manufacturer and skilled personnel at your disposal. Indeed, reigning world rally champion, Richard won Peugeot's one-make series, the Peugeot Challenge in 1991.\n\nPeugeot Sport boss, Mick Linford offers his words of advice: "My own point of view is that a one-make championship is a very level playing field. You go into the championship knowing that everything is down to your driving.\n\n"To anyone wanting to get started in rallying, get as many events under your belt as you can. Nothing beats experience. Also build up that experience with a regular co-driver."\n\nThe next step\nPlayStation gamers will think this is a little like Gran Turismo because once you've competed successfully at National B level, the next step-up licence wise is the 'National A', which you can upgrade to after contesting four of the 'National B' events.\n\nThis opens up a whole new world of rallying with access to national championships such as ANCRO or BTRDA and the British Rally Championship (BRC).\n\nThe BRC has traditionally been the step-up to world rallying and a talent spotters' paradise. Four-time world champion Tommi Makinen is a past competitor in a Nissan and Colin McRae stepped-up from the Scottish Championship to the British series winning in 1991 and '92.\n\n"The championship is Britain's premier series geared up to give any talented driver, in any class of car, the chance to win," says Mark Taylor, championship manager for the BRC.\n\n"It's held over seven qualifying rounds and is a mixture of demanding, high-quality tarmac and gravel events. Drivers with Super 1600, WRC or Production cars can gain experience of top-class, competitive rallying and the top team managers view any BRC champion as a potential star of the future."\n\nFor budding Finnish rally drivers, the Finnish Championship is also a breeding ground for future WRC talent. Marcus Gronholm and Harri Rovanpera are among the successful graduates who have made the transition to the world stage.\n\nBut also remember that while you are talented, you don't necessarily have to be in the best car to get yourself noticed. Ford's young gun for the 2002 season Markko Martin was originally spotted driving a Lada in the Estonian Rally Championship.\n\nAnd for some world rally debuts are lucky breaks. Quite literally for Norwegian Petter Solberg who replaced Thomas Radstrom on the Safari Rally when the Ford driver broke his leg!\n\nCareer swaps?\nYou don't have to start your career in rallying either. Carlos Sainz was a Formula Ford driver before he switched his allegiance to rallying, Belgian ace Francois Duval started out in karting and Petter Solberg was a rallycrosser.\n\nBut what
150969
If u dont like modification, buy Subaru. \nIf u want more, buy evo8. \nI read, subaru only can reaches 550 HP in Prodrive Support, fully modified, but Evo8 in Rally Art can reaches 678 HP and If u want to use Mivec Engine, it can be more than 720 HP. It's up to u
63387
Define "rally" in your perspective... Off-road? On-track? Street rally?\n\nFor reference, road courses in Northern CA: Laguna Seca, Infineon (Sears Point), Thunderhill (VERY cool track, BTW).\n\nIn Southern CA: Willow Springs, Buttonwillow, California Speedway in Fontana (uses the IRL course).\n\nNevada: Reno-Fernley, Las Vegas (track outside the speedway).\n\nOther than that, we don't take our stock cars off-road. Sorry I couldn't be of better help.
1069313
Yes. You need to learn. You can. Everyone else can. I've seen some really bad drivers too.
480565
well its very expensive and moreover you need to be trsting cars at the first place..if you know anyone in that field it will be much easier
442363
1. Learn how to drive.\n2. Practice driving.\n3. Try karting (like Michael Schumacher did).\n4. Try driving a taxi cab or similar PUV (like Mika Hakkinen did).\n5. Try to slim down.\n6. Try to become smaller.\n7. Enter a racing school, preferably F1 racing schools.\n8. Earn a racing license, I don't know if F1 has different racing licenses.\n9. Look for smaller tourneys like F2's, F3's and the like and try to be the best (like Juan Pablo Montoya).\n10. Find an F1 racing team, preferably the low earners like the Jordan team that we used to have (remember how Karthikeyan tasted 1 F1 season?).\n11. Transfer to a more decent team in case opportunity arises (don't be like Takuma Sato, please).
129772
They can hit 120+ in some straight aways. Rallying is pretty intense. You gotta have balls to do that sport.
176118
Have a clean driving history.\n\nNo tickets, no accidents.\n\nBe over age 25.  Have good grades in school if you are a student.\n\nSex, location of where the car is parked and commute miles to work.\n\nThos factors you cannot change.  But they make a huge impact.\n\nShop around. Rates DO vary. Some companies take more higher risk drivers than others. Many will quote online.\n\nRemember its the total price you want, not just an intro cost.\n\nMake sure you can do the upfront costs as well. Some want a full 6 months, others just 1 month in advance.
1089538
You may be able to be a driver for the Salvation Army. I've seen wanted ads that have said "No background check," and I think that was the one. That's here in Washington but I'm sure St. Louis has a Salvation Army there...
932305
To those that say "No", I challenge them to drive one race, preferably on one of those really hot days on the really fast tracks.  If they can keep out of the wall for more than 10 laps, I'll be amazed.\n\nYou don't realize the forces that are in play in those cars.  I did a ridealong at TMS at 160 miles per hour (which isn't as fast as race speeds) and was amazed at the G forces on the turns.  To do that for 3 hours at speed with only occasional breaks... yes, it takes quite a bit of physical ability and skill.
1049975
Hi,Its not at all difficult. All you require is lots of hard work and give up on lots of other things for atleast an year.\nMy friend topped this exam 5 years back and he studied like crazy and forgot what else is going on in the world.\nIf you have the drive and passion, its not beyond your reach.\nHope this helps.\nGud luck.
783955
That's one of the toughest gigs to land in all of racing but if you're serious you need to start at the bottom.  That would be Go-Cart racing...yes, I am serious!  They have its of classes and it's here most get their start in open wheel racing.  \n\nIF you're good and the right eyes spy you then you MIGHT get invited to test for one of the open wheel teams that run in various 'feeder' series such as the Mazda Star Series.  Better win some races and probably a championship because the next stop (if you're REALLY lucky) is IRL or CART.  Lots of guys race their entire careers there and never even get the privilege to talk to even a back running F1 team so you might consider selling your soul at this point if success is really that important.  \n\nOK, I guess your fingers still dripping where you signed in blood so I'll give you the last and probably harshest bit of news.  Even if you get to F1 it's most likely you'll start for one of the small teams, you know, the ones whose names you likely don't even know like Menardi or Saulver.  Yup, even F1 has it's feeder teams and it's here you must shine your brightest all the while driving equipment which is, well, not substandard but old, the cast offs and outdated equipment from teams like McClairen, Williams and Big Red. Expect a lot of heartache as you'll know that in each and every race you have an almost infinitesimal chance of even finishing in the points and absolutly zero of winning.  \n\nOh, I almost forgot the most important part...MONEY!  Most of the smaller teams where you get your start require a driver buy in, or in other words big bucks for the chance to get behind the wheel and the last I heard it was about a cool $1,000,000 to get a seat at even the lowest level.  Why do you think it's only rich Europeans behind the wheels?  Old family money for spoiled rich kids to 'compete' for the families honor. \n \nSorry to be the bearer of bad news but facts are facts and I certainly don't make the rules.  My best advice to you if you TRUELY want to be a race car driver is to start in Go-Carts or entry levels of any of the dirt racing series and make a name for yourself.  Even if you don't get to the top you'll have a blast and make memories which will last a life time. So here's to living the dream. Best of luck to you, and I really mean it.
111763
You will need to win in amateur car racing before anyone will take you seriously. Many drivers start in go karts.
164666
first get a dedicated car. i'm assuming you don't mean drag race. then learn how to drive this will make the biggest difference. don't worry about engine mods for a while. focus on sus. brakes safety and tires. when you have at least an ok set up in those you can look to the engine. as for cars get rwd. fwd can be good but i really just ask one question why bother? as for cars bmw: 535i e28, 325i e30, 2002. toyota: mr2 mk1, mr2 mk2, mr2 spyder, corolla gts ae86. mazda miata, rx7 honda s2000
401068
If you want to become a Formula 1 driver then you should learn statistics, then you will realise how unlikely you are actually become one.\n\nSeriously though, you would have to get seriously into karting before the age of 10 then progress onto something like formuala 3000 or another similar car racing sport. \n\nWealthy commited parents would definately be required.
151267
Road courses do challenge the drivers more than regular courses.  From a watching standpoint, I do not like the roadcourses. If I was driving, the road courses would probably be more fun
533197
wow!  your son really does have a lot of talent.  My stepdad was once a racer and almost got into NASCAR.  Here is how you do it:\nStart off by allowing him to race at small local events such as in racecarts, 4 wheelers, etc.  As he gets more experience, move him to more difficult situations such as a regional hotrod derby and other things that require more skill, etc.  Then, when he is 16, allow him to drive.  At this point, he could start driving like in actual car races.  As he moves up on the ladder of experience, make sure people notice him.  Put his picture in the newspaper, bring out a local news team, etc.  Get his face out to the public!  At one of his competitions, you should ask like one of the judges about getting into a NASCAR audition race (something like that for people who want to get into it) and then allow him to race in it.  If he's good enough at it, as I suspect he will be if you follow all of the above mentioned steps, he will surely get into it, and will start racing proffesionally.  Have fun!