It does take a lot of money and people to know in the right places to make it. That said, it isn't easy. No, we're not often out here mopping floors and whatnot, but many people have in the hopes of their shot racing professionally. I spend most of my time fluffing possible sponsors, impressing those rich guys trying to wring some money from their pockets, and keeping my skills up to par for the next ride. The actual race is easy. The guys that have committed to racing have given up more than money-- don't belittle them.

The comment that professional racing in the US being mostly rich amateurs is incorrect. It is true that many people are buying rides, but I'd say 75% of them are hopeful to make it big enough to move money the other direction. Let's also not be too patriotic-- Europe is almost the exact same way, they just structure things different to weed out the ones that haven't gone from karting to formula. I would be one of those weeded out... I like racing here.

 

Here's a classic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqHBngFw-34

 

I stand corrected. I fell for the hype also. The main point I wanted to make was there is no one in pro racing who has not given up a LOT of something to be there.

 

Guys bashing vid and Kent:
It's an OLD video. He has since raced in MX5 Cup for '09 and '10 seasons and with success (had a shot at the championship one of those years, might've finished 3rd in driver's standings?). It's just f*cking silly to judge him entirely on this ancient video. Go back seven years and watch one of your own videos and try making a similar comparison

We all have flashes of idiocy and bad choices. Some of us more than just flashes. We all do NOT have flashes of brilliance though, and I think that is one of the things to watch for. See also: AJ Nealy.

 

Too much "hateration"
Just have love for those who "made it" and dont give up if its your dream.
If its your dream then follow it.
If you dont make it you are still having fun doing what you want to do!
Party like a rockstar!

 

No hate form me...follow your dreams! Professional driving is a lot like the music industry in some ways. You can be getting paid to drive, but that pay may be, in many cases, way lower than I for one, would like to try and live on. I have made 7 albums with 5 different record labels over the years and have never made close to what I would want to bring in as a wage to sustain me, set up a retirement, etc. that's why I chose to have a profession (I'm a psychotherapist) that would support a lifestyle of my choosing, and make records for fun and enjoyment, even if there are labels involved. My hats off to the scores of racers out there spending a lot of time away from their families, scrambling for rides, making 50,000 a year or so. Takes courage. I could not do it.

 

Danielle here...
Thanks for those that defended him.
This was a long long long time ago, in a broken car (yes the tranny was going which is why the flat shifts & what appears to be missed shifts), from the back of the pack (transponder failed in qualifying), and he needed to win to take the championship- which he did. It was a win or break trying scenario.
(We were sponsored by a junk yard back then if that tells you about the quality of the parts...the engine for example was a $250 bone-stock junkyard engine with over a year of track/racing on it.)

There was no contact in this video & he knew who he was racing against too (which makes a huge difference with regards to taking risks. Although yes he has toned it down a bit these days.)

We are not rich (LMAO at that!). But every decision we have made for over a decade has been to try to point Lyonel towards his dream. No kids, no dogs, no "nice stuff," vacations, fancy cars...everything & then some was about racing.
We took huge stupid financial risks (that we are still paying for) & we eventually got a lucky break, landed sponsorship & the pro racing began. We still have a day job & are still broke...but Lyonel is getting to do what he always wanted, so mission accomplished IMO.

If you want to see why Lyonel is a pro driver. I would suggest looking for some newer video (try the MX-5 Cup youtube channel from 2009 & 2010)
When this video was posted it was (ironically) due to a H-T thread like 5-6 years ago. We were only planning to leave it up while a few people on that thread could see it...but then suddenly it had thousands of hits & so we left it there. It is 100% for entertainment, not to showcase his driving- although there are some nice pieces of driving in there if you watch close enough.

Just had to clear that up...cheers.

 

Huh???

I think you are confused on many levels...

The second Roush car, has always been a pay to play car. If Kent isn't pay, then the co-driver is paying for him to drive, a car that is prepared by Roush.

He's off the "hired guns" (billy johnson) time by almost 1 second at a ~1:30 course.

And I don't think billy is pure hired gun, He WORKS for Roush in the shop in NC.

IMO hired gun= Patrick Long, Bill Auberlen, Joey Hand, Boris Said.

No one but Nick, Bacardi, and Matt have driven with RumBum this year.

 

No he did not drive for Rum Bum but he has driven for Roush twice this year in the #49 car. For Bimmerworld in a GS M3, Doran in an ST 128i & Race Epic in an ST 328i.

Yes it is a lot of work to keep yourself in the pro-realm too btw. Still working on "keeping it going" for next year...wish us luck.

www.LyonelKent.com

And as far as him being "off the hired gun's time" remember sometimes there are factors in racing that you can't see purely from post race lap times.... Not commenting any further than that on the matter. But it has been a very rough year with lots of bad luck... Danielle

 

I had the chance to work with/for lyonel at daytona with race epic. Out of all the people on the team that weekend I would have to say he was probably the most down to earth and normal guy. Also he was the only driver that took the time to come and meet his crew members for that weekend. That video is pretty awesome and makes me realize how much of the track I am not using lol.

Good luck to you lyonel!!!!

 

Thanks for chiming in, Danielle. Was always a pleasure to watch Lyonel race at Summit Point back in the day You guys have had a rough year, its great to see that he's finally breaking through.

 

 

What a fantastic track. Where is this?

 

Sorry but have to disagree with you on this one. Working in both markets I can clearly see, who fields more "gentleman racers" and that is the US (asia even more). But in Europe you see a lot more full time drivers, both track and rally. In the US almost all of the drivers do something else besides racing/marketing.

 

Bathurst Australia

 

I thought this was the difference between me and a pro driver:

http://www.iwatchnews.org/2011/09/26...racers-fortune

haha jk

 

"Full time racer" does not mean paid racer. Road racing in general is bigger in Europe, but people that race in both markets will often tell you that it is easier to make a career here, therefore MANY more Europeans (and Australians) come here with some cash, buy some rides, and try their luck. Everyone I've spoken to from another part of the world racing here has told me that they've done so because it is easier to start a career racing here than there-- often because Europe is very elitist with their paycheck-worthy racers.

 

What a POS and F*** the tribes involved.

 

Speed is showing the Bathurst 1000 on sat 8th. A crowded field of v8's. That should be action packed.

 

Of course not, there's a lot of full time daddy paid racers out there. AND a gentleman racer can beconsidered a full time racer if he does the whole championship. But in the end he's still a gentleman racer, his income source is obviously from somewhere else.

Of course, because its easier with all the gentleman racers.

Sure, but I cant remember off hand a single European racing here at pro level that is not a hired gun.

Again, easier to beat the gentelman crowd here.

And... my point is proven.

 

OK I need this quote below explained to me in more detail. Im not sure this is a true statement.


"Sure, but I cant remember off hand a single European racing here at pro level that is not a hired gun."

Id say the majority of all European racers over here are Gentlemen racers.

 

FerreiraCompetitions,

I do not know you, and I am not here to offend. However, it is very clear in the writing that is coming from you, that you have a chip on your shoulder. I dont know what made you so bitter, but you know what, its all relative. Looks like you can make it out to track sometime, some people are struggling with just having a running car to get them to work. Maybe they would say "Must be nice to be able to have such an expensive hobby", about you?

We are all in this together, and we all have different goals and starting points. Anyone who has been in it for a while, has chosen to make many sacrifices to enjoy this sport. Some people win the lottery, most don't. Can you be angry about that?

I love the sport in every shape and form. I have made my share of sacrifices, and I would do it again in a hearbeat. Underprepared car? At least you have a car. If you need inspiration, there are many, many driver's who made it from the bottom, they built their contact list and it did not get handed to them. Some got lucky, some faded into obscurity. I always love reading about Randy Pobst and Paul Mumford. Maybe that will inspire you too. Often, to be a driver, you have to be selfish, relentless and aim only for one goal. Many of them sacrifice EVERYTHING for that one shot, and many get rewarded with bankruptcy.

At the end of the day, the only person you should be racing is yourself, thats where I (personally) find the most joy and fulfillment. Race where you can, be it autocross or the local rental kart track, appreciate that you can race and never loose the passion... motorsport is pure joy!

 

And thats the name of that tune!

 

 

Sorry, but not true. At the pro level just not true. From the ALMS entry list from this past weekend at Petit LeMans all the Europeans were hired guns.
After many years working in motorsports engineering starting in Europe and with the meanings being lost in translation due to language and the interwebs, one might say that. Appologies for anything that might've transpired in a wrongfull way as I also wasnt trying to offend. Although I dont think its a chip on the shoulder when one pays the mortgage from this business and has to dissagree with a hobbiest or fan. Again, no disrespect.