Tony, my son will be graduating out of karts in the near future. Unlike a lot of drivers, his sights on set on sports cars. What path would you recommend to a young driver whose dream is to win Le Mans? Thank you for your time. My family are huge fans of yours!

Tony, thanks so much for taking the time to answer questions. I am just curious, did you feel like you entered the season with any particular mind-set the year when you won the IndyCar championship? What was the key to coming out on top?

I’m currently a college student who’s paying expensive tuition. It’s difficult for me to get involved in racing because it’s so expensive, but I still haven’t lost heart for becoming a professional race driver some day. So if you were in my shoes, how would you begin a racing career?

Tony, Oi – Tudo Bom? E Muito Legal eu escrevendo voce!!! Eu falo muito mal lol. My wife is a Brasileira de Manaus but we spend time in São Paulo cidade. I have been rooting for you ever since your early CART days. Para Bems agora piloto!!! My question is about karting. I have been many times to Kartodromo Granja Viana and Aldeia da Serra. Very cool tracks. I only rent the 13hp simple ones (one day I will rent a shifter kart). I run pretty fast for a 200lb guy keeping up with the younger/lighter Brasileiros. But I really want tips on getting those things slowed down and turned. The rear-only brakes stink and the tires seem to be a really hard compound. I try to warm them up as much as possible. I realize that momentum is the key but you have to stay on the track. What do you suggest?

In America, there are several common ladders for a driver to climb through the echelon of motorsports. For IndyCars, it begins with karting, USF2000, Pro Mazda, and Indy Lights. Aspiring NASCAR drivers have their own racing ladders to climb, too. My question to you is, in your own experience and what you’ve seen in others, is it absolutely necessary to follow the “beaten old path” that everyone seems to take in their quest of becoming a pro driver? Does having an eclectic racing resume somewhat like yours give an aspiring driver better odds or opportunities of standing out with sponsors and race teams in their pursuit of reaching the big leagues? Does it benefit or harm them as they work their way up?

Tony, in looking back over your successful career, is there any thing you would have done differently in reflection? Thanks.

First of all, I am a huge fan, Tony, and appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions. Do you have any tips on finding those extra tenths? Thank you!

Hi Tony! How does a young driver get his name out there and get teams to start noticing him?

Tony, thank you so much for taking the time to share your advice! I am the father of a karter who will be graduating to cars in a year or so. My question to you is how valuable was your time racing in Europe prior to coming to America? My son has his sights on open-wheel and the Indy 500 and I am trying to lay out the best route for him to take and wonder if a few years in Europe would be a good direction. Thanks! PS – you are his racing hero!!

Hi Tony, I have seen “heel/toe” driving explained about a dozen different ways. Do you have a way to teach it that is easy to understand?

Tony, congratulations on a long and successful career and all the best for this year with KV Racing. Do you have any advice on the mental side of racing? How do you get in the zone?

How do you deal with drivers that race dirty on the track and try to play mind games with you in order to force you into submission?

Mr. Kanaan, I first want to say that you are an inspiration to young drivers that don’t have a money tree in their backyard. You proved you can do it on talent! My question to you is a common one to many of the Online Instructors, but I would appreciate your hearing your answer – what is the best piece of advice you would give a young driver?

What do you typically do to practice in the off-season and how do you prepare for the days before the races? Thanks, Tony!

Question: What does it take to be able to compete in both sports car racing and open-wheel racing? Was it ever difficult for you to transition back and forth?

Hi Mr. Kanaan, do you recommend that drivers have a manager and, if so, at what stage in their career? Thank you!!

Hi Mr. Kanaan, do you have any tips on oval racing for someone who will be doing his first oval race? Thank you.

I’d like to know how karting is incorporated into your training regiment. Is it most applicable to open-wheel drivers as a training tool, or do you see sports car drivers using this as well? Could you please tell us a little bit about your use of karts these days including what type you drive, frequency, track type, open lapping or actual competition? Also, what are you focusing on or targeting for improvement with a kart? Thanks so much and best of luck this season.

Hi Tony. My question is regarding setup work you do with your crew before a race. For example, let’s say Indy 500 prep before qualifying and all the way up to Carb Day. From Day One of prep do you find that the car can be configured close to the way you want it just based on default oval chassis measurements or does it take many sessions of track testing to dial in with each iteration getting you closer to ideal? Is the suspension even close to ready on that very first test lap or does it take real laps to even get it safe for open throttle trial speeds? And even with that feedback from you to the crew to do things change drastically from one week or day to day just from thermal cycling or moving the car from the transporter to the garage to the  track? Could you please explain that trial and error process from your perspective for those of us interested in related work that goes into pre-race prep and specifically on the topic of suspension (vs. engine or other) tuning? Thanks and good luck for a safe and milk-rich season! Cheers.

Tony, I race FF, and in the last race of the season I had a bad accident. Now I am having issues with confidence and fear. I have been going out on open track days and running around in a kart to try to build my confidence in myself. Any suggestions on this issue?

Since very early stage of your career you have always been considered a very fit driver. Do you think the preparation for recent events like the Kona Ironman has added or improved your driving performance?

How many hours a week did you put in on a karting track when you where young – in the age 8-12 range? Thank you!

Hi Tony, do you recommend the “two-year rule” for drivers moving up the ladder? For example, two years in USF2000, two years in Pro Mazda, etc? Thanks for your time.

I first must thank you for taking the time to give back to aspiring drivers like myself. I recently competed in Skip Barber’s Indy Car Academy with my heart set on climbing up the ranks. I was out-performed by participants who had already run the track/had a year or so of past experience. I was hoping you could share with me some techniques you have used to help even the playing field when the “odds” are against you. Thankfully, Michai.

Hi Tony, something I have been trying to figure out is the brake-to-throttle transition. I’ve looked at data where drivers taper off the brake, trail-braking, into the corner then get immediately onto the throttle. I’ve also seen some equally quick drivers pause between coming off the brake and getting on the throttle so that all of the tires’ grip can be used to corner. Is one of these techniques ultimately quicker than the other, or does it just depend on the corner, car, tire condition etc.? Thank you very much for answering our questions.

Tony, it is great to receive advice directly from the one of the best in the sport and we appreciate your time. My question to you is on the engineering side. Obviously, the driver-engineer relationship is a crucial component to success. Do you have any advice on what to do and not to do when working with a new engineer? Thanks!

Hi Mr. Kanaan, I’m a 13-year-old go-kart racer from Ohio. Some people think I am the best in my class but I always finish mid-pack because of my equipment. Do you have any tips so I can finish better but without spending too much money? Thanks.