This lack of Atlantic races may be one of the central reasons why so few Americans are capable of competing at the international level. When not racing in the Atlantic series, racing on alternate weekends in SCCA amateur competition is probably a viable alternative, merely to gain experience. Presuming the funds are available, an even better choice would be to haul off to England and rent, beg or steal a ride in any one of a number of continental open-wheel races. There the racing is constant, intense and ruthless and watched closely by the factories and professional team owners. Perhaps the most important element in the equation is personal honesty.
Motor racing can be delusionary.
A mediocre driver in an excellent car can often run as quickly as an excellent driver in a mediocre car. In tennis, baseball or football, etc. there are no delusionary factors in evaluating talent. Either you can hit the ball, run, catch, volley, pitch or block or you cannot. No amount of daddy s money, schmoozing the coach or playing politics will hide the deficiencies in raw skill. Not so in motor racing, where the car is perhaps 80pct of the game.