I am not an ATV enthusiast, and never needing anything like this for stock cars, but we will need one next summer for pushing around and starting our non-wing 355 ... any direction is appreciated in what to be looking for in terms of the best bang for the buck in brands, reliability, ease of operation (my wife will be the pusher ... and especially what is the minimal size I will need for pushing off (9.5-1 engine) ?? ... I will be buying one used , not new ... thanks!

If you are on a low compression deal it won't take much to get it going. I have a buddy with a honda 350 that pushed off 305s for years with little or no problems. The 4wd atvs work so much better it isn't even funny. The 2wds have a hard time moving the car without spinning the tires.

The bigger you go the easier it will be on the pusher and on the driveline obviously but on the engine you speak of I would say a 4wd Polaris 500 like another buddy of mine has would be perfect. Not too big, no gear shifting, and it will start everything we've ever pushed with it, including some high compression midgets that we should have used a truck on.

I would recommend a 4 wheel-drive ATV with an Automatic Transmission & at least a 400 cc engine.

I have a Kawasaki Prairie 400 4x4 & it has always gotten the job done.

My kid started Steve Kinser at Fargo one night without any problem.

Thanks guys ... found a Polaris 350 4x4, auto, with a little extra snort put in that I can get from an ex racer priced right, even has a push bar for it he thought ... sounds like that should suit us fine with the low compression car ... I watched last year as the local 360 winged cars were all pushing off with ATV's, and you are right, it really makes a difference to keep things moving along not needing trucks on the cars ...thanks

It's not a 4 wheeler but my friend had an Olds Starfire (Cavalier size), he cut the front off to the radiator & the back off so it would fit in his trailer. He removed the doors & trunk lid to carry his fuel jugs, spare tires, jack, some shocks, etc. He basicly made it into a mule that could push start his sprint car. Even had heat & A/C that worked, I liked that option. All for $100, yeah only $100 it was a riot to drive, got lots of odd looks too.

Now all he has to do is put a mini or micro-sprint wing on it ...

Put a tall gear in the race car if you need to start it at the shop. Pushes much easier.

Good tip ... never thought of that ...