I Only Got a Real Job to Pay For Car Parts and Racing.

I was talking with a fellow racer via FB and we both remarked on how our desire to go racing motivated us to find good paying jobs.

In my case I'd started motorcycle racing and quickly figured that I needed a better job. My Dad nearly went into shock because I was finally taking something in life seriously. I'd started wheeling and dealing on parts; this brought out the fact that I'm a pretty good negotiator and so I ended up with a career in purchasing.

I'm thinking we may not be the only ones.  I would love to hear how and if the sport motivated you to be successfully in your work life.

I'm currently selling auto body supplies as an independent contractor to supplement my retirement income in order to race.

Way back when I got kicked out of college and was racing stock cars....I realized very quickly that I couldn't afford to do what I wanted to and that was a great motivator to go back to school for me.

Racing defiantly helped me with budgeting, buying, selling, and negotiating. Leading and learning from my mistakes. At times in my life motivated me to try and be fit. When I look at some of the people that I grew up with and their hobbies fishing/drinking/darts/bowling/softball/golf probably easier and cheaper, but certainly not a adrenaline rush or something I would think would have led to improving my life.  I do have my regrets that sometimes I focus too much on the sales and budget (this is a hobby) rather then the actual racing. Racing is something even as I get older that I still want to improve all aspects and not just jump into a fast car. I look forward to introducing racing to my kids, although I was exposed to spectating I never got the opportunity until later as a adult my own way.

yeah I really lacked motivation and direction for anything until i stumbled upon this love hate drug we call motorsports. I could have been fine flipping burgers for a while, well outside of my teenage years but I needed more funding to do more and sometimes even the day job wasn't enough and I would moonlight to flip burgers to cover racecar expenses. Good times!

Not exactly the same but this funded a portion of my racing.

I started road racing in the 1980s in an ITB Pinto. Some / many IT cars were allowed the Weber 32/36. Those were also the Sports 2000 carbs and I had wanted to move up to S2. Many street cars had been converted to the 32/36 and at some point I noticed them in the, new-ish back then, Pick-A-Part wrecking yards – for $20. What I did became known to my friends as the ‘Weber Walk’ – a stroll through the import section looking under the hoods of certain cars (Rabbits and BMWs mostly).

I would clean them up and sell them to other SCCA guys for a decent profit. Occasionally I would do a full rebuild once I had become more familiar with them. I also did a deal with a S2 engine builder as partial payment for a good motor.  

Had I not gotten hooked I would probably be a touring musician. 

I can't say that I got a real job to support my racing addiction but I'm still working to support it.  I could retire today but only if I gave up racing.  Lately I've been wondering if it's worth it.

Paul_VR6 (Forum Supporter) said:

Had I not gotten hooked I would probably be a touring musician. 

Similar story here.  In college I paid my bills by playing in a band that toured regionally and played fraternity/sorority gigs, the money was actually pretty decent back then.  When we graduated we considered giving it a go professionally, but two of us were buried in loans and the other two were headed to grad school.  I ended up getting the "good" job in my 20's to pay back my student debt, but the whole time all I really wanted to do was play music.  I was into my 40's and had given up the rock star dream before I caught the racing bug.

This sport? Eh, sort of. 

Im motivated by money/things that I want. Im motivated to do more on the side to help, a little, on various vices that I have. Motorsports/enjoying my car is one of those vices. 

You (the royal, everyone) should always want a little more, do a little better, learn a little more. 

Dont stop. You cant stop. 

ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:

Similar story here.  In college I paid my bills by playing in a band that toured regionally and played fraternity/sorority gigs, the money was actually pretty decent back then.  When we graduated we considered giving it a go professionally, but two of us were buried in loans and the other two were headed to grad school.  I ended up getting the "good" job in my 20's to pay back my student debt, but the whole time all I really wanted to do was play music.  I was into my 40's and had given up the rock star dream before I caught the racing bug.

Ironic you bring this up. 

I was discussing this with a coworker yesterday; he much like you, played in a band and I once upon a time made some money as a writer.  We both noted that making a living with those pursuits involved very long hours, not a lot of job security and not always a great work life balance. 

While my job is not my passion I do like what I do for living. It lets me play with cars and spend time with my family. My motto has become "Io Sono Contento" (I am conent).  It's a relaxing place to be in life.

I only work for car money.

I'm starting to think the same thing.