Quote

The first time I fired up a car, felt the engine shudder and the wheel come to life in my hands, I was hooked. It was a feeling I can't describe. I still get it every time I get into a race car.

Mario Andretti

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Mario Andretti
Age: 84
Born: 1940
Born: February 28
Formula One Driver
Nascar Driver
Racing Automobile Driver
Mario Gabriele Andretti
First
Race
Fired
Every
Felt
Engine
Time
Feelings
Wheel
Life
Hands
Engines
Stills
Wheels
Still
Describe
Firsts
Car
Shudder
Come
Feeling
Hooked

More quotes by Mario Andretti

Image
The passport changes but the blood doesn't
Mario Andretti
Image
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough.
Mario Andretti
Image
The experts or the cynics say, Oh, those were the good old days, that's when drivers were really drivers. They didn't have all these aids. You know what? What we had, we did the best with and when we got more we provided what was needed.
Mario Andretti
Image
Unfortunately, we don't educate drivers enough to be respectful on the road.
Mario Andretti
Image
But really - look at the span of my career, and it's something people dream about. And to be spared major injury: I had some moments along the way, but being able to retire on my own terms after having driven during those decades when safety conditions were more precarious than today - am I lucky, or  what?
Mario Andretti
Image
My biggest concern during a race is getting bored. The biggest thing I have to combat is falling asleep while going around and around.
Mario Andretti
Image
My last race was at Le Mans in 2000, my first race was in 1959, so I dodged a lot of bullets along the way, I can tell you that.
Mario Andretti
Image
The only thing that happens if you wait, is that you get older.
Mario Andretti
Image
I count my blessings every day, quite honestly, because I take nothing for granted.
Mario Andretti
Image
Young drivers are supposed to be hard on equipment. That's how you learn.
Mario Andretti
Image
Circumstances may cause interruptions and delays, but never lose sight of your goal.
Mario Andretti
Image
Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.
Mario Andretti
Image
There's something special about racing in real streets. The 'artificial' circuits have a certain sameness to them. But every race conducted on real streets has a character of its own - Barcelona, Monaco, and now Long Beach.
Mario Andretti
Image
I will always enter a race car from the left side. Always. Why? I have no idea.
Mario Andretti
Image
From the driver's standpoint I had the same horrors, the same satisfactions, the same everything. The speed is relative. It's faster and things are happening quicker, but you have the equipment to handle it.
Mario Andretti
Image
Do it no matter what. If you believe in it, it is something very honorable. If somebody around you or your family does not understand it, then that's their problem. But if you do have a passion, an honest passion, just do it.
Mario Andretti
Image
You can't take a vacation from speed. I probably could have taken more time off and not driven in all the different disciplines, but I wanted to drive, drive and drive.
Mario Andretti
Image
Anybody who can drive and doesn't come out of it a rich man is a fool.
Mario Andretti
Image
A racing car is an animal with a thousand adjustments.
Mario Andretti
Image
You do a period of go-karting until you're at the age of qualifying for a ride in a 'school-kart,' then you qualify for driving school. And several of the driving schools have a competition series for their own students.
Mario Andretti