Is it getting too late for me?

P.Cummins · 26 Jan 2005, 14:59 (Ref:1210387)

I'm 14 at the moment. I was to be a rally driver. Most lads that get into circuit racing do it via karting but I dont know what plan most of the WRC lads like Loeb, Solberg, Duval, Gardi....etc....went through to make their break and, what, in rallying, is the norm for making it into the WRC. What steps would one take?
I have a future ahead of me and I dont want to load on stuff too soon but I dont want to lie back and twiddle me thumbs doing nothing.
I'm just wondering what steps you reccomend to becoming a rally driver or steps taken by others you know.
Most of it is based on money and sponsership and, in time, that will come. Thats something I myself would have to sort out but I noticed that most track drivers started karting at my age and I'm wondering if rally driving usually takes the same path?

Truckosaurus · 26 Jan 2005, 16:10 (Ref:1210434)

I'd recommend getting involved with your local motorclub. You'll be able to learn from others and make contacts so you can be in a position to run your own car when you are old enough to drive legally (and have a job to pay the bills).

ss_collins · 26 Jan 2005, 16:19 (Ref:1210441)

yes do the above

or buy my book

http://www.veloce.co.uk/shop/product...up=Motorsport&

josvandeperre · 26 Jan 2005, 16:31 (Ref:1210446)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss_collins

yes do the above

or buy my book

http://www.veloce.co.uk/shop/product...up=Motorsport&

Don't you mean 'and' not 'or' !

P.Cummins · 26 Jan 2005, 16:43 (Ref:1210450)

OK, I'll try to get some advice from motorsport Ireland.

For those of you Irish, were is the motorsport ireland headquarters.
I have been on Dawson St lots of times and cannot find it.

**Peter Mallett** · 26 Jan 2005, 18:13 (Ref:1210537)

PM EvilPumpkin, I'm sure she can help you.

P.Cummins · 26 Jan 2005, 19:42 (Ref:1210604)

OK thanks

EvilPumpkin · 26 Jan 2005, 21:03 (Ref:1210685)

oh gee thanks Mallett! Now I'm motorsport directory enquiries?

P - it's on Dawson Street. It's the RIAC building. It's at the top, opposite the Shelbourne. Look for the large archway that leads into a private garage. The door next to it is the entrance.

If you're looking to get involved with any of the Motorsport clubs, you'll find a full listing of them on www.motorsportireland.com - however, I don't know what the status is in terms of age restrictions. However, they're always looking for assistance, so I'm sure someone who's willing to work and learn will be welcome.

I'm the wrong person to talk to about driver age restrictions - but I suspect that there are other branches of motorsport other than karting where you can get a licence at 14. A call to MI should clear that up.

Also, Kart is a good place to start in any case. They're back to Mondello this year, plus there are tracks in Cork, Galway, Waterford and Meath that they use. Even if it's not the branch of the sport you want to wind up in, learning the race craft, making the contacts and having some fun can never be a bad thing and you'll get all of that from Karting.

silver bullet · 26 Jan 2005, 21:40 (Ref:1210724)

A lot of young rally hopefulls are doing junior rallycross. Petter Solberg did rallycross when he was younger.

pitcrew · 26 Jan 2005, 22:10 (Ref:1210746)

http://www.msauk.org/Go_motorsport/T...rallycross.htm some info on here

EvilPumpkin · 27 Jan 2005, 08:26 (Ref:1210959)

Good advice, but you'd need quite a budget to race in a UK series. There's no junior rallyX here that I'm aware of (I'm sure rxie can correct me if I'm wrong!).

There are a lot more opportunities for under 16 drivers in the UK without doubt - but it's having the money to do it from Ireland that's the problem

ianpearson · 27 Jan 2005, 10:33 (Ref:1211066)

What about autograss? in the uk there are races run for under sixteens in bog standard minis. I had a race in a frieinds class 4 mini, i think the entry & day membership was something £15. The whole day was something of an eye opener to pampered single seater racer though

ss_collins · 27 Jan 2005, 10:56 (Ref:1211089)

or club or Autocross

Steve Wilkinson · 27 Jan 2005, 12:02 (Ref:1211134)

If the rally cars I have seen sprinting are anything to go by I would have thought that there is a VERY healthy rally scene in Ireland (both North and South).

There seems to be a willingness to ensure everyone is catered for and to that end there are dozens of classes to enter.

The best advise has already been given - JOIN YOUR LOCAL MOTOR CLUB!

The people will be friendly, will give you tons of advise and plenty of help.

Then if you have the talent we will all be reading about you in the comics!

Best of luck!

P.Cummins · 27 Jan 2005, 19:09 (Ref:1211377)

Money is also a big issue. Thanks Pumpkin for telling me where it is on Dawson St. I'll pop in and see what they say

The junior rallycross sounds really deadly but, there are little or no, facilities in Ireland for junior rallycross (or that I know of).
MiniCross springs to my mind, now.
I'll see what Motorsport Ireland (local motor club, steve

) will say. Thanks for the help.
I'm confident about starting at the right time.

Paddy

EvilPumpkin · 27 Jan 2005, 19:16 (Ref:1211388)

Paddy, MI aren't really your local motor club. They're the governing body for the sport. The motor clubs would be the likes of Leinster MC, IMRC etc.

If it's Rallying/Rallycross you're interested in, Carlow CC and Kildare CC would be the ones you're more likely to have some success with.

I'd also suggest you get into contact with rxie as he's heavily involved in the RallyX side and might have some more suggestions for you with regard to contacts.

P.Cummins · 27 Jan 2005, 20:21 (Ref:1211450)

OK, will do.

**Peter Mallett** · 27 Jan 2005, 21:25 (Ref:1211504)

We'd be interested to hear what you find out. It will help others too.

Kicking-back · 27 Jan 2005, 22:01 (Ref:1211545)

And in response to your thread title "Is it getting too late for me?"

It's never too late!

And you're only 14

P.Cummins · 27 Jan 2005, 22:06 (Ref:1211555)

OK, thats given me a kick-start.

refoman · 28 Jan 2005, 16:31 (Ref:1212103)

personally i dont think you can beat karting.and 14 is in no way too old to start.i started karting when i was 21,took nearly 2 seasons before i won my first trophy and then in the 3rd year started spending serious money and started to win club champs etc.i finally gave up karting last year at the age of 38 and still doing well in 100cc racing to go car racing.
if nothing else karting teaches u race craft,something i have found a distinct advantage racing cars.if you watch a car race,especially at the first couple of corners you can usually tell drivers whove been karting!
and no matter what kind of motorsport you do,its expensive no matter what anyone says,but for laps per pound then you cant beat club kart racing

Tweed · 30 Jan 2005, 18:17 (Ref:1213263)

And there's also Autotesting, don't think that was mentioned, apologies if it was!

P.Cummins · 31 Jan 2005, 18:50 (Ref:1213995)

OK, I must admit that all of this has brought up my confidence.

Thanks everyone. I am still uncertain about which way and where I will start but at least I know it will happen.

Dave Brand · 31 Jan 2005, 20:05 (Ref:1214042)

The one thing I'm surprised nobody has suggested is that you get into rallying as a navigator/co-driver or whatever you want to call it. I'm not sure whether there are any age restrictions, but if there are, it could well be much lower than for drivers.

ascarracinguk · 31 Jan 2005, 21:00 (Ref:1214079)

p cummings, just to get back to your first post, its never too late, ive learnt that this year, you do what you want to do!..

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