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What is
QUARTER MIDGET RACING
Quarter Midget Racing is a competitive
sport for children ages 5 - 16; however, the whole family is invited to get
very involved with dad as Crew Chief and Mechanic, mom working in the Tower
helping score races. Big brothers and sisters working in the
concession stand. Lots of little brothers and sisters can be found
playing all day in the race-car trailers and motorhomes. As a young
driver grows and develops, they move up through racing classes that are
defined by engine-type, the driver's age and weight. There are
approximately 13 different classes to progress through and find what fits
your driver best. It is a great spectator sport since admission is
free and there is usually a snackbar nearby with reasonable prices.
The cars are essentially 1/4-scale Midget
race cars. Unlike Go-Karts, Quarter Midgets feature full four wheel
independent suspension and full roll cages. Seat belts and shoulder
harnesses are mandatory. Power comes from a 120-150cc engine, which
specifications are closely set by the national governing board and enforced
at each local club race by officials. There are over 57 sanctioned
Quarter Midget clubs throughout North America. The tracks are 1/20th
mile banked ovals comprised of dirt, concrete and asphalt surfaces.
Quarter Midgets lap their 1/20th mile track in about 6 - 7 seconds.
Quarter Midgets can attain speeds of 20 - 40 miles per hour.
The benefits are virtually immeasurable.
It's a family sport - all races are staffed and run by family volunteers
from local tracks. Drivers develop physical skills such as
coordination, timing, alertness and basic mechanical theory. Internal
strength is developed through sportsmanship, self-reliance, accomplishment
and recognition. It's just plain fun!!!
The most important parts of your childs
racing education is practice, practice, practice. There is no
substitute for practice. Your child must become so comfortable in the
car and with their pattern on the track that the pattern and position of the
car relative to the race track and wall becomes second nature. Only
when they become very comfortable with this will they be able to start
concentrating on competitive racing. Most clubs will give you a key to
the track when you join so you can go out whenever you want to practice.
Since it's start in the 1930's in the Los
Angeles area, Quarter Midget racing is now held in virtually all 50
continental United States and in Canada.
Depending on what part of the country you
find yourself in and what type of track surfaces are available, there is
quarter midget racing going on somewhere 12 months out of the year!
Most races are held on weekends, with the annual "Grands" championship races
taking place over three weeks each summer; one for the East, one for the
West, and one for the Dirt championships!
Many second-hand cars in good condition
can be found and are perfect for starter cars. The cost can run from
$1,000 for a used car to approx $5,000 for a new car set up for the upper,
faster classes. Stock motors range in price from $700 to well over
$4,000 for a motor that has a reputation for winning at the national level
events. Local clubs can often put a smart shopper in touch with a
member offering a package deal of a used car, motor and gears.
You can find a club near you by
clicking here. You are always welcome to visit a track, meet the
members and racers and watch a race. Many clubs have training
programs, where your child can actually learn the rules and how to drive the
car before ever being placed in a competitive situation. These
programs are HIGHLY recommended for your child's safety, and the safety of
other drivers on race day.
Some clubs set a side a special day and
provide all equipment needed for potential drivers to come try a race car
and check out the sport. This is a good way to see if racing is the
sport for your driver without investing alot of money in a car and personal
safety gear. This special day is usually called a Try-A-Ride Day,
check your local track for details.
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