Whats it cost....
 

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?

Re: Whats it cost....
 

...And another one bites the dust!

Welcome to the dark side, Randy!

Re: Whats it cost....
 

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.

Re: Whats it cost....
 

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!

Re: Whats it cost....
 

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 :)

Re: Whats it cost....
 

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!:10:

Re: Whats it cost....
 

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.

Re: Whats it cost....
 

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

Re: Whats it cost....
 

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.

Re: Whats it cost....
 

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

Re: Whats it cost....
 

Spend your money on a psychiatrist Then once they have deemed you NUTS jump in with both feet. That way you will fit in with the rest of us car owners. And when we are all committed to the nut ward by our families we can bench race for days.

Re: Whats it cost....
 

Another alternative is to see if anyone runs 305 sprints in your area. I like mini sprints ok, but for my money a sprint car with a aluminum head injected V8 trumps anything with a motorcycle engine. And they cost about the same as mini sprints, perhaps even less.

Re: Whats it cost....
 

Hello RandyB, Here is a site for any sprint car need you have for getting started in what ever kind of sprint you choose. He offers great pricing on everything, gamesterracingproducts.com he builds big and little sprints how ever you like them. He also helps with car setups on his own cars to get you in the ball park on where your racing style.

Re: Whats it cost....
 

Randy,

Most of these people on this board never have been in a Sprint Car, nor will they ever be in one. Nothing against any of these people, but let me tell you 1st hand what it cost and.....

(I turn 44 this year, so keep that in mind!)

2006 : I purchased ($5,000 w/Open Trailer) a 600 Mini Sprint operation from a fella who claimed it was all top notch stuff, well it was not even close. Ran the 2005 season with this Stewart Upright Mini Sprint and spent more time in the air than i did on the track. Pieces would break from being old and wore out to not knowing how to set the car up..Don't go this route!

2007: I purchased ($10,000) a Top Notch Car from a Local guy who i had befriended over the previous year. I purchased the Car at the race track as he pulled into his pit area after winning the Main event. 2007 PMP Chassis with a Gordon Seros 600 (R6)Engine. Loaded it up in my trailer and took it home. Called PMP that Monday and spoke with Stan (Owner of PMP) who sent me setup sheets and advice. Practiced that following Wed night and had the Previous owner at practice with me helping me understand the setups. Raced that Saturday @ Manzanita Speedway..1st outing in the car was the Trophy Dash and i won it, and finished in the top 10 in the Main event that night..The rest of the season was all about having fun and learning the Chassis and Race tracks.

2007: In October of 2007 i decided i wanted to Buy a Sprint Car..I decided to Purchase ($9,000 for Roller) Jesse Hocketts DRC 5 Bar Roller. After taking delivery of the Roller my friends and i tore it down to bare frame and re-bolted the car , and had the Steering gone thru. Had a ASCS 360 engine Built from Block up by Advanced Engines here in Phoenix! (Engine: $15,000)

2008: Jan of 2008 the Car was ready for the track. Rented Manzanita for the evening, and hired Jeremy Sherman (ASCS Canyon Region Non-Wing Champion) to coach me. The night went well, as i was adjusting to such a Monster of a Car. It was actually the most exciting thing i have ever done in my life..and i have Raced Drag Boats, Motorcross...etc..But nothing had been more exciting than strapping into this 700HP animal.

I had/have Good friends who would help crew for me all through the 2008 season. I did not tear up as much stuff as people had expected which was a good thing for sure. I had a Great time running with the ASCS Canyon Region throughout the 2008 Season and ended the season with:

2008 ASCS Canyon Region Rookie of the Year
10th in Driver Points
10th in Car owner Points

(I Spent an Average of $450 per night to Race..Fuel, 1 New Tire, Ice Chest Full of Drinks & Pit Passes) Total Cost for the year was right around $ 14,000 plus Change to Operate the Car + the intial Cost of the Car @ $24,000 = $38,000

You can buy a Nice Sprint Car with a 410 or 360 in it for $ 13,000 to $20,000 all day long..just be patient and do your homework, and don't be afraid to ask Drivers & Crews Questions..it will payoff if you do so!


2009: This year i decided that i wanted to be a Car owner only , so i asked a former Sprint Car Champion( Josh Pelkey) if he wanted to drive my car and he was more than Happy to do so..We have raced a few races this year, but with the economy the way it is, it has been hard..I purchased a Maxim /Benic Chassis and are Gearing up for Western World Championships in November of this year...Go # 7 !


Steve
# 7

Randy, if you want to drive a sprintcar call Lps or your local speed shop see how much fuel is a gallon vs a drum. Price tires and pit passes food ect that's your budget. You can get real good used cars cheap plus tearing them down will help you learn a ton about them. That's what I did. I also built my own 360 motor just so I knew how everything worked so I could fix it later. Good luck in how ever you go.
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Re: Whats it cost....
 

Kenny, Will you be in the 92 or 92C Saturday at LPS? I will be in the Stock #59 pits, I'll look you up!

I sure appreciate the help and advice you guys offer. I had a cousin that raced Sprint cars in the 70's 80's all over Indiana area...I always had a fascination with them cars and loved being around his car. He lost his arm in a Sprint car wreck and ended up coming back and driving with one arm. I think he even won with 1 arm. I seen a guy at LPS named Christian.....thought maybe it was his son.

Got to go. Thanks for advice.

Randy

Re: Whats it cost....
 

Yeah, his name is Bob, son is Kent.

Re: Whats it cost....
 

Thank You!

I have not talked to them in years....is Bob still around?

Thanks again.

Randy

Re: Whats it cost....
 

Randy, Ram Racing Enterprises holds a driving experience for anyone 18 or older at local tracks in central Indiana.Please call Ram Racing for complete details @ (765) 832-8380 or (812) 241-5300. We plan to have a lease car available for the 2010 season.