Driver Progression From Karts To F1 and LMP1&2

Santiago Coffe

Hello All,

I thought I would ask everyone's advise here. My son and I are fairly new to karting. My son is 13 years old and is the driver. In speaking to my boy about racing and the future, he has expressed a keen interest in someday driving F1 and/or LMP1&2. My question is, through the different karting classes and engine packages, would anyone have any suggestions on what we should be looking at as a progression through karting that would best suit meeting this long term goal?

Currently we are competing in the Junior Superbox class to build driving skill and seat time. We were considering continuing in this class next year racing at the regional races, but I was also considering buying a new chassis and engine with the idea of competing in an additional class. If we do that I thought it would be nice to compete in a class that would best suit his desired progression.

Thoughts?

Thanks All!!

Greg Wright · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject:

As a junior driver the most important thing is to get him lots of seat time and compete in the largest most competitive classes available.

Don't get in too big of a hurry to move him up, he has lots of time before getting serious about moving up the ladder.

By the way the most important part of moving up said ladder is finding the funding to do so.
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Santiago Coffe

Greg,

Thank you so much for your input!!!! Besides the normal funding challenges, are there specific things that you think I should be aware of regarding funding? Maybe advise in this area? I think I have a realistic grip on what it is going to take to finance this endeavor.

I agree about being in a hurry to move classes. Not in a huge hurry, that is why we are continuing with the superbox class next year. However I did think that it would really help our superbox performance if he was also competing in a higher horsepower class. When I started researching this, it became very confusing. Should I pick a class that was more represented in Eurupe, should I make a move to shifter karts with an eye to placing him in a formula driving school sometime in the future? I don't know, alot to choose from. And the budgetary things you mentioned previously is why I am asking. It is expensive to make a decision to start running a new class. Would like to minimize wasted resources.

Thanks again for the advise!!!!!

Carlos Calderon

Alan Dove · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:16 pm Post subject:

This is an almost impossible question to answer as every driver takes a different route Smile

In terms of overall investment you are looking at upwards of $1-2 million. I think Lewis Hamilton's career before F1 cost Mclaren around $8-10 million. How comfortable are you with those figures?
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Bob Baldwin jr · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 3579

Santiago: I am NOT trying to burst your Dreams or to be Dis-Respectful .But the 2 biggest requisites are TALENT and MONEY.
Leaving the money issues aside .How talented is he?
Why has he Not already looked into the JR formula programs
Do you ever look at Rob's Formula car site.
Is your son MECHANICALLY inclined?
Does he know what the kart is doing at all times?
Further can he tell what NEEDS to be done to you or a tuner?
Is his imput correct ?
If so does he know why it is correct?
Why is he not in shifters already I know he is new but that is where I would be looking
Not sure If I would go out and purchase a new chasis /higherHP motor with-out sending your son to a karting school first and honestly listening to their critique.
Not sure what part of the country you are in But you might want to consider Anderson Racing PaLmetto Fla Kart school /camp.I wish more parents would do this before spending the big$$$$
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Walt Gifford · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:56 pm Post subject:

Racing super box and some high power shifter/rotax/tag class at the same time is going to be confusing and counter productive imho. If you want a little more power next year I suggest you move up to an HPV class or a JICA class if they are well attended in your area. If not there's the Yamaha pipe class when he gets old enough which would be a very inexpensive conversion. After a year of Yamaha pipe you'll be good to go for the Tag class which should hold you for a few years then maybe look at Indy lights.

Gif Cool

Dan Schlosser · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:29 am Post subject:

Where geographically are you racing now? That will be the biggest factor in offering up some advice in regard to a second class. In he Northeast and Midwest, the inclination would be toward adding an HPV powered kart as a second kart. Your chassis parts list will be nearly the same but the engine packages do offer two different horespower ranges and driving styles. The Yamaha/HPV combo gives you the option of a lot of track time at both regional and national events as well.

Lewis Cronis · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:06 am Post subject:

Racer magazine did an article 'the path/cost to F1'.
Started in karts, running a full season in Stars (RIP) at $100K/season, then progressing up thru the formulae (with the associated costs of running with one of the better teams, and ending up with a F1 test....not an F1 drive, just an F1 test/3rd driver.

Keep in mind, the number they came up with did not include food/lodging/travel/damage.....

$8.7 Million dollars.

Walt Gifford · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:14 am Post subject:

Add in another .3 mil for track hot dogs.

Santiago Coffe · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:18 am Post subject:

Santiago Coffe · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:40 am Post subject:

Santiago Coffe · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:42 am Post subject:

Santiago Coffe · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:42 am Post subject:

Thanks Dan,

We are based in region 7.

Santiago Coffe · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:13 am Post subject:

Lewis,

Thanks for the input!!!! 9 million is a bit of money isn't it???!!!