[PatrickMead#13]

I'm interested in learning more and possibly hearing from someone who knows the in's and out's with the series. Didn't even know they were out there til a few weeks ago and it looks to be more in my affordability level to compete. Is there a big operating cost difference between mini's and the kenyon's? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[DAD]

www.kenyonracing.com is their web site. They are neat little race cars, spend most of their time on paved tracks. I understand they run a tight ship.

Mini sprints or lightning sprints stay on dirt tracks mostly. The big difference is the Kenyon's use a drive shaft and quick change rear end and the sprints use chain drive. I would guess cost is about the same for either class. We run MMSA mini sprints another group racing sprints is the AMSA.

When you get right down to it I guess it is what floats your boat.

I would suggest don't get in a big hurry go to the races where the different cars are racing, buy a pit pass and go down and talk to the racers at the track. There are very few of them that will bight your head off for talking to you about their passion and you will get a lot better insight into what you are getting into. You might also want to look at the TQ midgets. We are all related, we all like open wheel racing.

Have Fun


You can search IOW for Kenyon midget and or mini sprint and see what they are saying to one another. (see all of their dirty laundry)

[TQ29m]

Sounds like you've been outa touch for a long while, Kenyon midget's came on the scene at least 10 years ago, it was designed and built, to be able to remove the motorcycle engine, and replace the motorplate, and add a 4 cylinder Midget Race motor, and move up. They enjoyed a good run of popularity for a while, but as the economy fell into ruin, their numbers dwindled, and they pretty much ended up joining forces, with the Regional and Focus midgets, to get any kind of car counts. There should be a few around for sale, and Yamaha still makes that particular engine. Just a bit of an update, and what little I know about them, I think they still run at the Speedrome in Indy, and of course, mix it up with the midgets at the indoor venues. Bob!

[Phylo82]

One of the biggest differences from a cost standpoint is the price of tires. We had some friends that were running Kenyons, they were laying out some serious jack for 4 new tires every race. To be competitive you had to have new tires......and that ain't cheap.

With the mini sprints I can get through an entire season without changing the LF and maybe only changing the RF once of twice. A set of rear tires can usually get me through three to 4 race events depending on the track conditions.

[Tony Barhorst]

The Kenyon Cars are coming back to the Speedrome in 12..They also run Anderson...We have a few Kenyon Midgets run with us at the Rumble In Fort Wayne..They are allowed to run with the full midgets indoors. Aaron Pierce nearly won with one in 04 or 05. I see they are running dirt at US 24 Speedway next year.

Dillon Welch started out in one. I imagine Vince Welch thought it was a good way to go. I just happened across a video Dillon made on youtube.

You Tube Video

Mel and Don Kenyon have always taken time out to help any midget team with questions over the years.

USSA Announces 2012 Mel Kenyon Midget Series Racing Schedule

(Lebanon, IN) United States Speed Association officials are pleased to announce the 2012 Mel Kenyon Midget Series racing schedule. In its inaugural season the USSA Mel Kenyon Midget Series will compete on both pavement and dirt surfaces. Series officials believe this will broaden the Mel Kenyon Midget Series appeal to both competitors and race fans.

The USSA Mel Kenyon Midget Series will feature the cars formerly known as Kenyon Midgets. Kenyon Midgets are full sized midgets powered by a Yamaha 1200 cc engines promising fast, fun safe and affordable racing. The opening event for the series will be at the Bryant Heating and Cooling Indianapolis Speedrome Saturday April 21st.

“When we return to the Indianapolis Speedrome on April 21st, it completes the circle for the Mel Kenyon Midget Series,” said USSA President Don Kenyon. “Not only will we introduce the Mel Kenyon Midget Series at the Speedrome, we ran our first race for Kenyon cars on the fifth mile. Combine that with getting back on dirt at US 24 and the on the high banks of Anderson Speedway we can promise our teams an exciting and competitive summer of racing,” Kenyon continued.

USSA will also conduct races at the Anderson Speedway as a part of the Little 500 week’s events and hit the dirt on US 24 Speedway in Logansport (IN). In addition to the Indianapolis Speedrome, Anderson Speedway and US 24 Speedway, USSA officials are negotiating with additional dirt and pavements tracks to fill out a 15 race schedule.

Drivers will be able to compete for two different championships in 2012, the Indianapolis Speedrome Challenge and the overall USSA Mel Kenyon Midget Series Championship. The Indianapolis Speedrome Challenge Series will feature only the races at the Speedrome, while the Mel Kenyon Midget Series Championship will have points awarded for all the events at every race track the series runs.

The Mel Kenyon Midget Series cars are both fast and reliable. “If you’re looking for a fun, safe and affordable place to race, the USSA Mel Kenyon Midget Series is going to be the right fit for you,” said Eric Bunn, USSA’s VP and Competition Director. “The cars are so affordable from the buy in cost to maintenance, that your cost to go racing is the same or in many cases less that most of the other options out there. “ Bunn explained.

Following the first race of the 2012 the USSA Mel Kenyon Midget Series on Saturday April 21* at the Indianapolis Speedrome, firm dates are set for 2012 are: Saturday May 12 Indianapolis Speedrome*; Wednesday May 23 Anderson Speedway; Friday May 25 Indianapolis Speedrome*; Friday June 15 Indianapolis Speedrome*; Friday June 29 Indianapolis Speedrome*; Friday July 13 Indianapolis Speedrome*; Friday July 27 Indianapolis Speedrome*; Friday August 3 Indianapolis Speedrome*; Saturday August 24 US 24 Speedway; Saturday September 8 US 24 Speedway and close out the season at Anderson speedway on Saturday October 6. (*Indianapolis Speedrome Challenge events)

For further information regarding the 2012 USSA Mel Kenyon Midget Series contact Don Kenyon at 765-482-4273 or Eric Bunn at 317-413-0763.

[Eric C]

We ran this series for three years they are every bit as fast as a Focus Car and are very reliable as well, as far as tires goes, you can run the left rear several times as well as the right front but would recommend putting on a right rear every race.

Give Don a call 765-482-4273, they are great people and will take all the time you need to explain their program, I know he has a rental program that is pretty economical as well.

Eric Cottongim