Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Listen to Kyle’s podcast by Clicking on the button above, or use your mobile podcast Apple on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Spotify, or Stitcher.
Kyle Marcelli is a professional sports car racer. For 2018, he races as part of the 3GT Racing team, driving the #14 Lexus RC F GT3 in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Kyle also races for Roush Performance / KohR Motorsports in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge at the wheel of the #60 Ford Mustang GT4, and in the PFAFF Motorsports in their #13 Porsche Cayman GT4 in the Pirelli World Challenge and for Fields Racing in their #96 Chevrolet Camaro TA2 in the Trans-Am Series. His career started in go-karts and single seaters before making a debut in the American Le Mans Series in 2010. He’s been part of successful programs in Prototype and GT racing in the European Le Mans Series, the Grand-Am Rolex SportsCar Series, the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, the Pirelli World Challenge, and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Series.
SHOW SPONSORS
Covercraft • MetronGarage • Bonanza • Christopher Kimball Financial Services
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
If you work hard enough, and you want it bad enough, dreams will come true.
CAREER & LIFE CHALLENGES
Most people in this sport just think it’s a rich man’s sport. For some, it’s the case, but for others, it isn’t. Some can write a check and go race. On the end of the spectrum, if you have talent, and show it on the track and be at the right place at the right time, you can make it to the top with no money at all. Early on, there was a financial challenge for me. I was racing go-karts, and my father was a bricklayer. Money was even tighter when I wanted to move from go-kart racing to auto racing. My father basically handed me his black binder of business cards and told me to call anyone I wanted to try to get sponsors. I called every name in the book and generated about $25,000.00, which was a long way from the $350,000.00 I needed to race Formula BMW. I had great results racing go-karts, but this was a stalling point for me because I didn’t know how to transition into auto racing without having the money. Negative thoughts crept into my head. I found some influencers in my career who directed me to Canadian Formula Ford 1600 Series. I needed $50,000.00 to proceed, and I had half that. I worked with some local businesses to scrape together the rest of the money, and finally had what I needed to move on.
FIRST SPECIAL VEHICLE
The first special race car to me was a Lola LMP1 Car, twin turbo, 850 hp car. This was in 2009 when I was 19, and I was able to test drive that car.
BEST AUTOMOTIVE ADVICE
If you have the chance to get new tires, get them!
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
YouTube has been a tremendous tool for me. I watch onboard racing footage and previous races.
PARTING WORDS OF ADVICE
To aspiring racers, never give up. You may have roadblocks along the way, but just keep going.
SHARE THE INSPIRATION
Your opinion matters and I will greatly appreciate your support.
If you enjoyed this show, please go to Apple Podcast and leave me a five-star review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and help others to be inspired by Cars Yeah.