GETTING STARTED IN OPEN WHEEL ROAD RACING
Everybody wants to feel like a Formula One or Indy 500 pilot, and this is the way to live that dream. A great place to get started is by working with a school. You can use their cars and get some very good instruction on the basics and there are formula car racing schools within a days drive from almost anywhere in the country. Once you are comfortable it is time to consider where you really want to compete. Some drivers stay at the school racing level as it is usually a much smaller budget than moving into a upper level racing series.

“We have taken drivers who have spent a half dozen days with a racing school and we work with them for a few events and helped them get on the podium in a very short period of time,” stated Standing Start Manager Scott Bradley. “Like anything else you need to practice to get good at it, and the benefit of a personal coach cannot be underestimated.” The popular TV show RACE WEEK visited the series and did a feature story that can be viewed here>>

STEPS TO GETTING INVOLVED
Contact a region head for help and suggestions on these steps, they have the knowledge and would like the opportunity to assist you with the process.

• Get your competition license.
• Select a region that you would like to compete in.
• Determine which class fits your budget and current skill level.
• Purchase/rent a car to do some pre-race testing.
• Enter Formula Car Challenge competition.

With its three categories the Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear offers competitive racing for a wide range of budgets. "One of our regular FM race winners told us that he never spends more than $15,000 per season including tires, entries, travel and accommodations," stated Series Official Ben Hettema. "This is a guy who has won a lot of races and championships in the FM class, but of course he is doing all the labor and transport himself."

Drivers looking for an "Arrive & Drive" program should contact their local region head as each region has unique opportunities. "We have an all inclusive 10 race program in the new FormulaSPEED2.0 for less than $40k," noted World Speed Motorsports Operations Manager Mark Milazzo. "I don't know anywhere you can race this level of car at these types of events for anything close to this budget."

The Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear has low operating costs compared to most national series. Even the FCC arrive and drive programs are a small percentage of the costs of racing in the upper levels of open wheel racing in North America. "The cost savings come from a limited amount of travel, and much lower entry fees," added Hettema.

The series has support from Goodyear Racing tires, and Mazda USA. In 2010 Goodyear presented FCC drivers with more than $50,000 in tire awards, and Mazda put up nearly $30k for the FCC NASA National Championships. Goodyear and Mazda are on board in 2011 for the same prize packages and the Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear NASA National Champions will now also have an opportunity to win a 2012 Mazda factory supported ride through the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder.