Lima is about 4 hours from Bloomington, but Bloomington runs on friday night so its difficult to get there in time for races on friday night from Lima. Waynesfield, Gas City, and Kokomo are the closest non-wing tracks from Lima. plus we have plenty of tracks that run wing sprints. If your serious about motorsports as a career, UNOH is the probably the most efficient way to that career.

I can’t agree more that to set yourself apart you need to have a higher education. There are several choices on what type of school you are looking for. If you have the grades and want it an Associates or Bachelors degree would take you the furthest. I would look at Purdue West Lafayette or IUPUI in Indy. Purdue WL has the School of Technology and to me the best major for “gear heads” in Mechanic Engineering Technology, the folks at Purdue have several active student run clubs that are involved in motorsports. Plus a new MAP (motorsports at Purdue) program that will join all the on campus clubs and carry a large industry presents.

IUPUI has motorsports classes and a Motorsports degree (same classes at PU WL Mechanic Engineering Technology just different names)
Both places have put out some outstanding engineers that work around all areas of any type of racing.

A few folks I know of that are currently or just finished with the programs:
Adam Nigg
Stephanie Mockler
Arin McIntosh
Scott Hampton

Josh went to school (finishing up this year) to be a school teacher worked two full time jobs and found time to chase his dream of driving a sprint car. Indiana is a great place to live and race but remember there may be some tough times ahead so be as prepared as possible.
Most of his sponsors came from what he did off the track, school,work,volunteer work. Good luck

Jerry #66j
stida.com

Dear Daltron,

I applaud you for getting on this internet board and "brain storming". I'm just about finishing my masters degree in Business and I'm very old. I'm 55 years old and have been building satellites for the United States Government for 25 years. I didn't start until I was 30. I did just about every odd job one could think of and I use all the tricks I learned in Building satellites. In fact, one of the reasons I was hired was because of my work experience. It played heavily over the straight "A" students I hired in with to Hughes Aircraft Company. I got a degree from one of the Best State Universities in the United States. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California. You don't get into that University by being a dummy. With great work experience and a decent GPA of 3.23 I got a chance to work for one of the greatest companies in the world. But I had a plan. Decent grades, work experience, a diploma and a personality. I sold myself and the recruiter bought it.

He told me he had to hire the two straight "A" girls. But he thought I would make it. I have worked at Hughes/GM/Boeing for 25 years. To the best of my knowledge the two other girls only lasted 5 years. I don't know what happened to them, but they don't work with me any more at my site. I have not seen them or heard from them in years. I just don't know where they went.

My point is I had a passion to do something that very few get to do.

There are probably only 10,000 people in the world that build satellites. It's a very small fraternity. But I wanted to do it more than racing. I made the choice and it pays the bills.

Sincerely,

Larry Otani

P.S. My fifth grade teacher told me "Larry, don't make racing your life, make it a hobby". I chose to make racing a hobby. I make a living building satellites in defense of our great nation, called the United States of America.

I couldnt imagine moving to Indiana to find a ride. You need an education to fall back on. There are several good schools to choose from. Indiana State know offers an motorsports marketing program which would be fantastic for an aspiring racer. Also, the Indiana Air National Guard provides people with an excellent opportunity to serve their country part time while you work or go to school. I joined the Air National Guard when I was 17. The Air Guard paid for my Bachelors Degree and know pays for my racing hobby. I work here full time as the Readiness NCO. If anyone is interested in becomming a member of the worlds best Air Force let me know.

Eric Walker

I hate to sound like a jerk...a 4 year college to be an engineer, or a teacher, or a satellite builder (examples) is NOT for me...im not smart enough for all of that. Dont get me wrong...im plenty smart to know my way around a racecar and a racetrack. I am going to go to school. But its going to be a technical school. I talked to my buddy about UNOH. He says,

"Its a good school, quite with some good programs"

he also made note that they do not have class on fridays. Going to school somewhere, will actually be beneficial to me in more ways than a higher education (even if just a technical field) and hopefully a better job...living in a dorm room with roommates will be a ton cheaper than renting an apartment.

As far as the armed forces...I have thought of it many times, it is also not for me....plus (so i have been told) im flat footed. no go.

If you keep telling yourself "I'm not smart enough", long enough, all you'll have in the end, is an excuse. At your age, you don't know what you don't know, or need to know.
There are far more people that wish they had pursued a degree than those who regret getting one. Especially facing the the changing job market and economy thats coming down the pike...Do yourself a favor and take the advise given here by the majority and get a degree.

Don't want to seem like a dick but "It's not for me," is an excuse I've heard way more than one time. Today a bachelor's is equivalent to a high school diploma 30 years ago, it is necessary to get any decent entry level job. Anyone can succeed in college, it just depends on how much you are willing to work.

ok....again...i am going to get a degree. Probably in the IT field.

My mom knows a women who's son got his teaching certificate. Living near Pittsburgh PA, he COULD NOT find a job. One day a friend of his showed him an opening for a job installing software for different companies. One of those companies was BOEING. The dept manager where he installed this software at Boeing, liked his work and he is now working full time for Boeing. Honestly, with a little time, I could probably do his job.

I would suggest going for a degree in Management Information Systems or Industrial Technology. MIS is one of the best job producing fields and Industrial Technology is involved with a lot of hands on education, I believe a lot has to do with CNC machinates and other machine work. If you have the grades Purdue and Ohio University both offer it.