+1 to what chuck said. The best advice that I got was "shut your mouth and open your ears"

Go to tampabay grand prix on Tuesday night as they have league racing. It will give you an opportunity to see how much raw talent you have.
Go Karts Racing :: Tampa Bay Grand Prix Go Kart Racing

Also get involved with the SCCA, auto-x at first and then club racing.

Here is a bio of a good driver, memo gidley. At one point in his career he was driving across the US in his toyota truck with his shifter kart in the back, that's how dedicated he is. Memo Gidley - Biography
Notice all the different types of series he has been involved in.