I wanna go racing
 

As a race fan, there's nothing better than a weekend spent at the racetrack. However, the whole time I'm there, while enjoying the racing I get to watch, I continually think, "I WANNA DO THAT!" I've wanted to race for a few years now, but I always let the money involved back me out of it. This year needs to be the end of that, though.

Now, my reasons for starting this post: I don't know where to start. I'd like to eventually get into a sprinter, but God knows that's no place to start. :icon_smile_blackeye So, where should I begin? Most guys in the sprint ranks seem to have started at half my age (or less) racing karts and then moved into mods or mini-sprints, or midgets before stepping up to the 410s. But that boat has sailed for me, so does anybody have any advice on where a guy should get his feet wet in the racing world?

I realize that starting at 22 (well, 23, cuz I won't be able to race until next season) that I'll never have folks knocking my door down to get me to Indy or Daytona, I'll likely never win a USAC title or even a track championship, but I wanna race, damnit! :checkered:

Re: I wanna go racing
 

There is alot of different classes to start in and I probably could help you go in the right direction. In my opinion though learning how to work on one (mechanical & setup) is just as inportant as learning to drive. You may be a stand out in your first couple of years but if you don't know anything about the car your driving you will probably have problems (mechanically & setup ect.). Please feel free to call me at 812-825-1402 or 812-606-6687 and I will help you as much as I can.:thumb:

Re: I wanna go racing
 

I started in a T.Q. midget ran them for 3 years before going to sprints. I was also concerned about money. The down side was it cost almost as much as the sprint I have now and the only experince I got was how to work on a cycle engine. Not telling you what to do but if I had it all to do over again I would buy a starter sprint car and run Paragon you will get seat time on a weekly Basis. and thats what its all about SEAT TIME!

Re: I wanna go racing
 

find a different dream...

Re: I wanna go racing
 

Maybe start in mini sprints? Its like a sprint car, you get the open wheel experience, the cost is semi effective (still expensive I know) and you can learn about setups that MIGHT apply to a real sprinter sometime. One of these years I wann get into a mini sprint........one of these years.

Re: I wanna go racing
 

Sounds like Jordan and I have caught the same fever. Maybe it's the right age for it. I guess spending my entire 22 years of life at the racetrack every single summer has naturally given me the urge to want to race also. But, as a full time college student, it just isn't in my budget. It seems that most who want to go beyond the local dirt track have to start much earlier in life than either of us. I'm realistic enough to know there's almost no chance of ever doing more than that, but that's fine with me. All I know is, I just want to try it. With 4 people on my mom's side and 5 on my dad's that have been, or are still involved in racing, it's in my blood. Good luck to you in getting started.

Re: I wanna go racing
 

First I would would go to one of the sprint car schools, and see what it takes. There must be one in the mid west. Maybe it in your blood, this will tell you if you have what it takes. Go for it that way.:Steer

Joe.

Re: I wanna go racing
 

i agree with eric zellner if you wanna go sprint car racing buy you a starter car and go run paragon...mini sprints and tq's are nice but to be competive in them you are looking at $10-$12,000.00 ..i see alot of older cars sprintcars on here with motors for that..no you probably wont win any features but you will get seat time and experience you need and you can upgrade as you go along..

Re: I wanna go racing
 

jordan, don't waste your hard earned $$$$ on so called "starter" classes. we went from a 5hp briggs go-cart to a sprinter and my son ran 6th in the feature at lawrenceburg the second time he ever sat in one. now, yes, we 've had a lot of hard luck over the past few years, most out of our control and some our stupid mistakes but, that doesn't mean you'll suffer the same fate! LOL anyway, you can find a used sprinter that is a few years old for pennies on the dollar. you can spend a ton of money on a competitve modified or mini-sprint and then have to turn around and sell them for pennies on the dollar and wind up starting from scratch again. when you're ready, start shopping for a used sprinter (divorces and/or unhappy wives/girfriends can really drive the price down on a race car!!!! LOL). somebody mentioned in an earlier post, if you live near paragon speedway, that is the best place you can go to start out. you're guaranteed to make the feature every week. you'll get lots of laps there. when you first start, start on the tail, run a speed that is comfortable for you, run a smooth line, and in the few weeks you'll be slammin' and bangin' with the rest of them. also, there are many wonderful sprint car people at the track every week that are more than willing to help a struggling racer get his car in the ballpark as far as set up. just go talk to them. you'll be surprised at how many people are willing to help! good luck

Re: I wanna go racing
 

Follow your dream , but step slowly -

1) Decide what your real interest is ; what type car , series or something at a local track.

2) Get out of the stands ; work for a team next year. While doing so you will learn the cars mechanically , you'll get to know the participants and you'll be priviledged first-hand to know the costs involved in running that car.

3) After doing it this way , the decision you make will be a more informed one than otherwise.

4) And , always remember , you never can predict where your opportunities may come from when you least expect it ... but you'll be there to find out !

Paul

Re: I wanna go racing
 

Impressive. What is your dream? Do you have any?

Jordan, this is America. If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen.:checkered:

Don't go with a starter class. buy a strinter and go for it. My minisprint cost almost as much to run as the sprinter.

Don't let smart asses slow you down. Never stop trying to make your dreams come true.

Re: I wanna go racing
 

Jordan, this is America. If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen...RandyF46

do it soon, Jordan, because when this inevitable freight train called socialism takes over (and it is a matter time) it might be a lot tougher to pursue your dreams in Good Ole America. hate to be a downer but, i see it coming and i don't see anyone doing anything to stop it.

Re: I wanna go racing
 

Amen to that. Hopefully someone will step foward. Working on a car for a year is a great idea. You will have a much better understanding of the other side of racing. Not just the glory on the track. Good Luck and Best Wishes

Re: I wanna go racing
 

Two words. Pure Stocks.

Ive watched racing since I was about 4, helped at some shops (Much less than the regular crew of the teams) But Got the general feel of the sacrifice many of these car owners, crew, wives/girlfriends and drivers face Believe me, It's OVERTIME at work to pay the bills and then hours in the shop getting the car ready, Repairing it ect. Saturday nights the easy part, The fun part that hopefully makes it all worth while.

I could probably of afforded a pure stock and there are tons of other cost involved such as equiptment to get it to the track, Tools ect.

I did this, I worked with two teams (Herb Jewel and Ray Williams at Florence. Both years the final race (Non points) they let me drive in the heats.

I got out of them cars and you could have punched me in the mouth and I'd still have been grinnin at ya. The tears were already in my eyes and the adrenaline was insane. Hey, I got lapped in 8 laps. SO WHAT? I was master of the world in those five minute races and by all means with every lap, I was getting better. Lifting later and braking less.

If you have the means to DO IT! and want to BAD ENOUGH, You'll find a way. IMHO. At first your gonna have to take personal best as your rewards but with experience and the talent to do so. You can compete.

Chuck, wishing you well!

Re: I wanna go racing
 

if it were up to me i would find someone to rent a ride from for a night at paragon or somwhere and see what you really think about it before you drop a ton of cash. becuase i hear to tell ya it takes a different type of person to run these type of race cars.

Re: I wanna go racing
 

Wow, big thanks to all who replied. I'm surprised by the general concensus, but I definitely feel a little more confident about how to approach this. :thumb:

Re: I wanna go racing
 

Yeah my dream was to race openwheel racecars like the midgets and sprintcars I had the opportunity to run. Regretfully do to the insane costs these days its simply not possible for a blue collar guy to go racing competetively($150+ for a RR ***!!?!?). Screw running just to run! Thats for loosers! If you want to win you need a small corporation (something like a brick and block plant or a spegetti sauce company for example). Racing is in the blood of so many in the west side of Indianapolis but they cant do it! Rice, the Carters, Marvel and all the others should be legends but they simply cant afford it. Work on a car, build cars, paint cars, there are alot of ways to be involved, but unless your a semi millionare you cant race a sprint car!

Re: I wanna go racing
 

It's really to bad you feel that way. Some people just enjoy driving a sprint car. They don't have to win to get the thrill of racing. I have a pretty good idea who the looser is!

Re: I wanna go racing
 

opportunities don't present themselves, you could just sit around and whine about how you can't ever do it (localyokel) or just try and see what happens. Running a race car is a lot of work and you have to be prepared to sacrifice a lot of your time if you want to be fast and consistent. If your just getting started, in my opinion the best thing you can do is "hang out" and get to know drivers, car owners, ect. start knocking on doors and you'll find some people willing to help. It takes a lot of ambition off the track to get where you really want to be. Just keep chasing your dreams and don't sell yourself short, you'll be suprized how far you get. but first you should rent a ride or try to get some laps to make sure it's for you though. Good luck jordan!