San Diego, CA -- Professional race car drivers are athletes, but many think what they do is not physical at all.

That's according to San Diego Racing School founder Don Swanson, who says the biggest misconception his beginner students have is they don't realize "how physical the sport is."

In his words, "There is an illusion that they're just sitting there for three hours and it's no big deal."

Swanson adds that there are no potty breaks during a race and it's "very hot in the cockpit and you are constantly breathing bad air with exhaust fumes, gas fumes and tire smoke constantly filtering in."

Many of the students get a crash course lesson learning this during their first day at the school -- which teaches not only professional racing skills, but also everyday driving tactics.

Although many misunderstand the physical nature of the sport, Swanson says they can grasp the passion of the sport, figuring "Everybody that has a driver's license has raced."

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