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| Views From the Top - Alex Barron |
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 | Alex Barron
(Photo Courtesy-Indianapolis Motor Speedway) |
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of columns for EKN written by Alex Barron, a former karting champion and current Indy Racing League® IndyCar driver. This column offers good advice for karters who feel they want to become a professional race car driver. As many will concede, karting is a great sport and the best “bang for the buck.” However, we also recognize (without criticism) that many karters aspire to become the next Buddy Rice, Alex Barron, Memo Gidley or Scott Pruett - only a few we can call, ‘our own’ who’ve been successful in reaching the upper rung of the ladder. Young dreams are the inspiration that have molded many professional athletes today and the way we see it, who are we to criticize and attempt to burst someone’s bubble of dreams? What we aim to do; however, is educate others with the dream about the odds and reality should a driver opts to move on this path.
It’s a fact that many of the kart racers today take an interest in other forms of racing regardless of their aspirations – that’s why we try to cover some of the popular formula car series where our former comrades are reaching out to. EKN’s additional coverage of the formulas provides an educational backdrop to utilize in and out of karting.
As Alex mentions below, the path is getting wider. While it’s not a four lane highway, it’s much better than before. Long gone are the days that focus on a selection of talent and much of it has to do with sponsorships and the decisions you make. This is where we hope Alex can help out. He’s been there and done that. He also very much still loves the sport of karting and we think that’s cool too!
Needless to say, EKN is thrilled to have Alex as a contributor. Alex is currently the driver of the No. 51 Red Bull Cheever Racing car in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, won three U.S. national karting titles in 1995 before pursuing his professional racing career. Since then, he has clinched two IRL wins and also Co-Rookie of the Year honors at the Indianapolis 500 in 2002."
Column One – General Advancement Advice
- by Alex Barron
 | Alex Barron
(Photo-Indianapolis Motor Speedway) |
I’ve been asked numerous times for advice about moving up the ladder. The typical story goes like this: a young kart racer knows at a relatively early age that he or she wants to pursue racing as more than just a hobby. The racer wants advice. How do I advance from karts to, say, the Indy Racing League or NASCAR or Champ Cars?
I’ve given this a lot of thought. Here’s my advice:
1) Spend your spare time hanging out at your local kart shop or the track. Immerse yourself in racing. Make people notice you in a positive way.
2) Use the newfound attention to work your way into the entry level training series like Formula 2000, Jim Russell or Skip Barber. My first step when I first came out of karts was to get belted into a Formula 2000 car. That’s how I auditioned.
3) As you take that step, you’ll discover that people come to know your name. You promote yourself to get that chance in a training school or series, but then -- especially if you¹re good -- the promotion becomes a function of the results. Important people in the business begin to know who you are.
4) Be patient. Hanging around the shop or the track might not look like it’s accomplishing anything on a particular day, but later it will pay off. People will recognize you. The more familiar they are with you, the more doors open in your favor.
5) Play the cards you’re dealt. If your family comes from money or you have the family name, you’ll have a better chance to advance. It’s easier to climb the ladder. Don’t be afraid to use those opportunities. Many young racers who come from money are ashamed of the advantage it gives them. Don¹t be. Work with it.
6) Likewise, if you come from a family that’s middle class, it’s more about showcasing your talent and networking than it is about money. Meet people. Be outgoing. Be pleasant. Present yourself as if you were a professional race-car driver. Treat everyone as if they were a potential sponsor. More than likely, they are.
7) When you get an opportunity to test outside the kart realm, take full advantage of it. Do your homework. Study the cars and the series and the track. Don’t come into it cold. Devote your time and energy to performing at your best. Make the best of any opportunity, no matter how small it might seem.
8) While climbing up the ladder, you’ll talk to a thousand people. Maybe one of those people will help you to move ahead in your goal of becoming a professional racer. You don’t know who that person is or when he or she will come along. You have to treat each of those thousand people as if they are that one person.
9) Surround yourself with the right people to teach you. If you’re around intelligent people who know about the business, it’s like going to college. Knowledge is the single most important advantage in moving up the ladder.
10) When I was coming up, there weren’t any karting scholarships, but things have changed. At the pro levels of karting, people are looking to move young racers up the ranks. Whether it’s the Red Bull program or Skip Barber or other programs, there is always a way to get ahead. Go after those opportunities. Aggressively pursue any program that offers financial incentive. It could be your key to breaking through.
11) You have to start somewhere. At some point, you have to decide whether the path you’ve chosen is the right one or if you need to pursue another route. There isn’t a set way to become a professional race-car driver. There are so many opportunities, but you have to deal with what comes your way. Be flexible enough to change your direction.
If you reach the top levels of motorsports and realize your dream of becoming a professional racer, you’ll discover that much of what happens is out of your control. In karting, you have control over decisions you make such as where to race, what path to pursue, what kart to drive, what setup to use. As the game becomes more serious, the driver loses control over minute details of his profession.
That’s why I love karting. It’s pure. You have control over your destiny. If you know this is what you want to do with your life -- and I did at a young age -- then take advantage of the power of karting. Use what you have in your control to advance yourself. That’s the beauty of karting. You can make it be whatever you want it to be.
Just like you can be whatever you want to be.
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