Hello guys. I am new to this site but love racing. A buddy of mine bought a super stock to run at LPS. I went to my first race with him last night and even though we got rained out, I am addicted to them Sprint cars. I am ready to own one! Them things look dangerously powerful.

I was told if you buy a decent sprint car it would cost $15,000 minimum and closer to $20,000. Here is my questions if you guys dont mind helping a newbie out.

How much does it cost to run a Sprint car per night at a local track like Putnamville? What are some of the expenses? And the big question....can a 40 year old guy just buy a Sprint and go drive it or do you have to start in a SS or Modified?

I just dont understand as a new guy trying to get into this for fun...why would I spend $10,000 on a SS when I could get a bad boy for $20,000?

[Revolution Racing]

...And another one bites the dust!

Welcome to the dark side, Randy!

[thebus79h]

Originally Posted by RandyB I just dont understand as a new guy trying to get into this for fun...why would I spend $10,000 on a SS when I could get a bad boy for $20,000?

Without sounding to mean or rude, so you don't kill yourself.

You are right, sprint cars are some of the baddest racecars on the planet, and there is a very good reason why people consider them the top tier of grassroots racing. But to hop in one after never racing anything before isn't the best of ideas. Could it be done, yeah, probably. But not pretty.

Yes, you could buy a car and motor for 20,000, then spend a lot of money on front axles, tires, shocks, all while learning how to race as you tear things up. If you are wanting to head the sprint car route, you may want to start off in 600cc micro sprints, as a ton of guys and girls that now run sprint cars came from those ranks.

[sprinter25]

The best advice that I can give you is to find a car that needs crew help. Offer your services for free. Expect to do the most menial of tasks like scraping mud and changing tires for a while. As you learn your way around the car, start to ask questions...about everything, including costs.

After a while, you'll find that you still want to own/drive one of these beasts. So be prepared to invest $15K-20K jsut to start; then you'll need spares, a truck and trailer, and an operating budget. Figure on about another $20K for the fisrt year...but don't figure on making any of your investment back for a while, if ever.

I like to compare owning a race car to owning a boat... it's just a hole that you keep throwing money into....But you'll have a blast and meet a bunch of nice folks along the way!

Where do they run 600cc Micros? I really want to be able to run at LPS with my buddies. Wouldnt I spend almost as much buying a Micro? I don't know that I even want to drive one of these beasts at my age, seriously...I dont know if my back could handle it

[Shawn Harper]

Originally Posted by RandyB Where do they run 600cc Micros? I really want to be able to run at LPS with my buddies. Wouldnt I spend almost as much buying a Micro? I don't know that I even want to drive one of these beasts at my age, seriously...I dont know if my back could handle it

Randy,
I believe Charleston, IL still runs the 600 Mini Sprints. US24 in Logansport, IN runs every Saturday night. The cost for a used car will run 5 to 10 thousand to be competive. If you are wanting to drive a sprint car without vesting a ton of money, I would suggest a sprint car driving school. Jimmy Sills has a school. This way it would only cost a couple of thousand and not 20 to 30 thousand. If you want to race with your buddy, purchase a modified if you want to feel similar horse power. Good luck in what ever you decide!

[racing6]

There are some micro tracks up your way it sounds like. Not sure where you are located, but i am sure someone can fill you in on where they are. Micros can be bought for anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 for a decent used car. I have to agree......ive drove karts and micros, UMP modifieds and even a sprint car once or twice and its a huge jump just from karts to micros. Ive raced for 21 years and it would be a stiff learning curve just to jump in a sprint car even for me.

[Rpracing1]

Would be best to find yourself a "Sugar Momma".

Originally Posted by sprinter25 The best advice that I can give you is to find a car that needs crew help. Offer your services for free. Expect to do the most menial of tasks like scraping mud and changing tires for a while. As you learn your way around the car, start to ask questions...about everything, including costs. After a while, you'll find that you still want to own/drive one of these beasts. So be prepared to invest $15K-20K jsut to start; then you'll need spares, a truck and trailer, and an operating budget. Figure on about another $20K for the fisrt year...but don't figure on making any of your investment back for a while, if ever. I like to compare owning a race car to owning a boat... it's just a hole that you keep throwing money into....But you'll have a blast and meet a bunch of nice folks along the way!

I agree with sprinter25. You're best bet would be to go'fer (Go fer tires...go fer fuel) for at least a season. That way you can see what you're getting yourself into, and you'll learn a lot along the way.

After go'ferrin for about four or five years my brother bought a 600 micro. We thought we'd run the micro a few seasons and move up to a 358 sprinter. That turned into ten years. In our area (Central PA) micros are a pretty big deal with at least 10 different tracks within a two hour tow of Harrisburg, PA.

Most of these tracks draw full fields on Friday and Saturday nights. Plus, there are a couple big money shows (Two $10K to win shows this year.), and even a Speedweek. Most of Central PA's young sprint and midget drivers (Darrah , Wolfe, Leppo, Esh, Buckwalter etc.etc.) came thru micro ranks. We moved up to a midget a few seasons ago, and the transition would've been harder without running the micro. You should give them a look.

[kcarm92]

were at putnamville every week stop by and see us and ill help explain how much it cost to go every week, we have two sprint cars , and more . kenny 92&92c