Costs of running a sprint vs midget
 

I had a thread on here asking opinions on if I should race midgets and I decided to pursue that. But I also talked to people on here and some suggested that for the same price I could go sprint car racing. So before I totally commit myself to one car I would like to get some feedback on the costs, maintenance, etc... between the midget and sprint car. If it helps I live in the St.Louis area so we have powri midgets and 2 local tracks that run winged sprints along with the new MOWA series. Thank you IOW members for all of your help.
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Re: Costs of running a sprint vs midget
 

If all the sprint car racing in your area is winged, and all the purses are typical weekly track purses other than MOWA series shows, you will probably be money ahead to do a midget since you are in PowrI country.

If the sprint car racing in the area was non winged I would recommend going that route, but those barn doors really soak up the horsepower and spit it out on the ground, even on the small tracks like Farmington and jacksonville.

I was kinda thinking the same thing but just wanted to get others takes on it. Man I wish there was some non wing action around here, that's been my dream since I was a kid. Maybe one day I can talk my wife into moving to indy. I can dream right. Lol.
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It's a haul from the StL but we run non-wing sprints at Valley Speedway weekly in Grain Valley, MO. about 20 minutes east of KC. It won't pay the money that Poweri does but it's an option. It's an open motor rule so there's 305 360 & 410 motors running together.
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Ya that's a little far for $400. Thanks for the input though. Any other feedback is welcome.
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Re: Costs of running a sprint vs midget
 

Give your wife the boot and pack your backs for Indy :6: Haha I'm kiddin. But seriously, don't give up on your dreams if your serious about it. Nothing like non wing sprint car racing in the Hoosier state. :31:

Re: Costs of running a sprint vs midget
 

He gives his wife the boot he may not be able to afford it anymore. LOL. Just kiddin. Seems with your location you would have alot of opportunity to run the midget with PowrI and there is alot of tough competition. Just a thought.

Lol. She's is my sponsor hunter. I don't think I'll survive without her. I'm not giving up quite yet. The only thing that I'm having trouble with is it seems like when I go to buy a car I they both cost around the same for desent used stuff.
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Re: Costs of running a sprint vs midget
 

I have been involved with open wheel racing since my marriage to a racer in 1955 and I have a different view from the others. My thought is that you are not going to make a living with racing and all of it is expensive and time consuming, so you and your wife had better have fun at it. You don't seem to be in a rush so I would suggest that you hang around the pits with the groups you are interested in. If there seems to be a lot of arguing, discontent, unhappiness, that might not be the group for you. If the racers AND their officials are open and friendly and answer your questions then, that is a group you might be better working with. The other part is how you and your family like to travel. POWRi is a traveling group and you have to love long hours on the road and late nights getting home. If you don't enjoy that kind of life then a race schedule that stays within 100 miles of home would be much better.
Wanda Knepper

Great advice wandak. We love to travel so that shouldn't be an issue. My main concern is I know a lot of people say you can't do it for a living but that is the goal someday. Until then if it comes, I want to make sure I make good business decisions along the way. That's why I'm really trying to do my homework before we make a decision. Thanks
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Re: Costs of running a sprint vs midget
 

Im not sure of actual cost involved. But I would say if your not going the ALL NEW route, There absolutely has to be a lot more sprint parts out there available. IN the last couple years whole teams have sold off what could be considered cheap. Theres also good used high end equiptment (Refreshened) out there. Wheels, rear ends, Front axels ect.

Not sure on the Midget. Also check into how many races you can expect to get between refresh's on the Sprint and Midget engines. Don't know for certain but I know they are really winding them midgets up and a lot of times in the sprint, You don't need all the power thats available.

Just some thoughts. IM certainly no expert

Hey man anything helps. All of that does make sense.
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Re: Costs of running a sprint vs midget
 

Here's the main thing I've noticed over the years, shopping for good used parts for a Midget, there is always at least 4 times the stuff available for a Sprint car, than for a Midget, which makes it less expensive, to me, it's like owning a business, it's how many time can you sell an item, and keep it rolling, if an item sits too long on a shelf, you might have been better off, stocking something that sells better, the investment, to me, in a Sprint car, has more "sales" opportunities, than a Midget, the more you can race it, and stuff something in your blue jeans to take home, the better off you'd be, the selection is larger, and more diverse, but, in the end you need to do what you feel like is best for your situation, because the number of Sprints in use is higher, the cost of the parts are less. JMHO! Bob:)

The Sprint is sounding better and better.
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I love midgets, and I would love to own one, but mostly to run the chili bowl. Bread and butter racing for me is winged 410 sprinters, and I'm doing that on a budget. My engine is more than 10 years old, and most of my tires are take offs. Once I quit crashing in the back of heats and B mains I got pretty competitive. ( Timed 3rd quick one night, and got a top 10 with an ill handling cat on used tires 2 weeks later)I bought my engine for 8k and added a 5k rebuild. The rebuild came after I knocked myself out and let the engine run wide open for 20 seconds with no driveline. You should not have that problem. The purses are a big help to me and most midget purses don't compare. So I figure if you want to make a living as a driver/owner, it has to be winged sprint's, and they can be done on a budget if the purse money is there.
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Sounds like your doing a pretty good job on a budget. Where are you from and where do you race if you don't mind me asking?
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I'm in CA running with the King of the West series. I'll have to admit, I should have done some more research before I answered your question, it looks like Powri purses are comparable to Sprint purses in your area. With that being the case, it would be a really hard call for me,BUT if the goal is to race full time I still think winged sprints are the way to go. There is more money if you travel for it, and more billboard for sponsors. As far as.the.racing goes, I like all of them.
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Ya I was thinking about the whole sponsorship thing too. I'm leaning towards 360 s because the tracks around here are small, one track gives bonuses for racing a 360 with the 410's, and the ascs pays pretty good.
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Re: Costs of running a sprint vs midget
 

Chris, hey its Shane, I went through the same thing you are going through, and when all was said and done, I chose Powri and it has been by far the best decision i could have made. I love sprinters both wing and non wing but the fact is, I wanted a class I could be competitive in at the least cost, heres what I found:

non-wing: love them , who doesnt but the tracks that run them on a normal basis is quite a haul and felt that by the time I advanced to the level to compete with indiana regulars who have raced their (home) tracks, I would have spent a small fortune as well as alot of road time, wasnt ideal

Wing: Has to be a rush no doubt, but i have enough friends who have been wing regulars who i trust who truly convinced me that my chances of outrunning the size and quality motors of today with what i was able to afford, just wasnt happening, plus during that time no traveling show was around and it was going to be a one track year at farmington unless i wanted to be a field filler at woo events

Midgets: I chose them and heres why: The midgets are sometimes considered more expensive, by some means that is correct but by alot others I have found that when you combine everything, they can be much cheaper. I felt that the powri organization was family friendly, and most proud to have you as a member. I found that although they do consider themselves a travel series, the travel is much closer for the most part and because they run no regular midget tracks, noone really has a great advantage at any track, making my chances as a newcomer to have a good run much greater. I also found that my budget allowed me to have a car that wasnt super expensive and was still super competitive. I prob run on as little a budget as anyone if you really knew. I can say that other than the time I ran 3rd at the national race at Kemper Area and never got a paycheck(thanks Mr. Lasoski) i have never worried about not getting paid, I have heard many horror stories from both wing and non wingers in this area so that have to be a plus for powri. one more thing, when the season winds down, and wing and non wing guys best days are spent in the garage thinkin about next season, the indoor season begins and I get to race the chili bowl as well as multiple shows at duquoin, most televised where i can brag to sponsors and potential sponsors as to why i deserve there help and how real this racing is. Just call me if you have any questions man, not that those on here dont offer good advice but each area of the country is different, you best bet is to take local advice and what works the best for you and your demographic, good luck

sorry for all the grammar errors, i was in a hurry

Shane Cockrum

Hey Shane nice to hear from you. That's probably the best advice I've got the whole time. I've been meaning to get a hold of you to talk to you about it but I think you answered my questions. Best of luck to you the rest of the season, and hopefully I can get to some shows to bother you a little more. Lol
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Re: Costs of running a sprint vs midget
 

If you go sprint car racing (non wing)then Indiana is where you want to go. You have 9 tracks within 1 1/2 hrs from Indy. If you want to go midget racing then PowerI is the way to go. They are an organization that is engaged with their drivers , the purses are right and I have noticed they care about the product on the track. I would love to see them come into Indiana. Ultimatly, it comes down to your budget and how far you want to travel.You can get into either one around 30,000. How much you want to spend on your motor will determine alot of your cost. If you want to get into a midget that can win a powerI race right now let me know because I know people who can make that happen.:6:

My final 2 cents. While I am partial to winged 410's, I think Powri midget racing looks darn good from where you are at. If you go that route, good luck and I hope to see you at the Chili Bowl.
Eli Deshaies KWS #7.
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Re: Costs of running a sprint vs midget
 

Well were going with a 410 nonwinged. A Like new roller and I'm bumming/stealing a 410 engine or two. I know where theres a couple, few thats laying around. A couple races in Indiana and my bucket list is complete, After my Indiana adventure I'll prob. stick a 305 in it and run a few races now and then, afterwards that'll be the car my ashes get stored in. I already threatened my daughter with some major haunting if she don't keep the car forever, my urn in the drivers seat. For me no doubt full size sprint, have a blast whatever you choice.

If I lived in Indiana it would be a Sprint for sure but like shane said I spend a fortune in gas getting there and back.
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