For running mainly ASCS, I would recommend a 86/40 or 87/40 either with a raised rail. We run an 86/39.5 Stevenson and have been very happy with it. Talk to some of the guys that run the Rocky & see what works for them. Better yet, go help one for a season. I don't know if John Jacob is still racing out there, but he is "good people".

steiny

On the West Coast, I really only have one friend who races winged sprint cars.

As of last year he was getting rid of his Eagles and switching to Maxims.

He had 4 engines. Two 360's and two 410s. I think at that time he had

two Eagles chassis and two brand new Maxim Wide Bodys.

We bought one of the Wide Body Eagles with a Don Ott 360. I would
say the Don Ott 360 is really nice engine. Our's screamed and we ran
it without the wing. The Wide Body Eagle had the wing mounts. The
Don Ott 360 had a cast iron block.

Two of the four engines he had were Kriners and when we went to the
San Jose Swap meet for Winged Racers in northern California I saw one
Kriner Engine 410 for sale. So what I'm saying in California a Kriner or
Don Ott Engine is not a bad choice.

I know some peope run Shavers/410s for winged racing, non-wing and 360 cast iron block and 410 all aluminum Shaver power plants. Shaver builds all kinds of
sprint car engines in all configurations. He also will build one race motors if
that is your desire.

I wonder what your series run for a 360? All Aluminum??????

2) We have a friend who bought a beautiful JJ with a Kriner 360 engine.
Cast iron block. One beautiful Car, with some tricks I have not noticed
on normal 360 non-wing car. It had shims in the lower engine mounts,
supposedly installed by Kriner. The engine pointed up hill in the engine bay.

That person is currently running that JJ Non-wing with a Cast Iron Block
and if doin' very well. It is a Winged car that he is running non-wing.

Cost. I felt we got a good deal on our Wide Body Eagle with the Don Ott Motor,
360 motor. About 22,000 dollars.

Our friend who bought an almost brand new JJ Wide Body JJ Chassis
with an almost brand new 360 Kriner, with cast iron block...I'm guessing
he paid about 38,000 dollars. He told me the price but I really wasn't
listening. The car look brand new and Hauls AZZZ!

That all I can tell you.

Sincerely,

Larry Otani

P.S. I think both cars were 88/40's and not "raised rails". Both were driven
on the West Coast non-wing series, but were designed to be run with
a wing. Our Friend's came with a wing and hydrualics. We chose not to
buy the wing with ours, because we new we were goin' non-wing racin'.:applaud:
Also some of those series requires the head to be ASCS. ASCS is not
the standard on the West Coast. I heard that was goin' to change but
we are not required to run ASCS 360 heads in West Coast Series as of yet.

i think this is a great idea.
i have been interested in getting a midget for a while now and was thinking that working with a team for a bit would be a good idea too. mostly just to see how everything works and what to expect when its time for my first race. also to see how everything changes through out the night.
my biggest question is i know that alot of "race teams" are made up of fathers, sons, uncles, moms, friends, ect. (people that know each other), how willing are they to allow you to help out and learn.

Go to the races, talk to people and see who's crew looks short handed. I'll bet they will be glad for an extra pair of hands!

Speaking as one who is always short-handed, the extra pair of hands always comes in handy. A few thing to consider, though. First, as you see what the crew is doing as far as set-ups and adjustments at the track, try to refrain from asking why they're doing one thing or another. There is usually precious-little time to complete what needs to be done, much less explain to someone why you're doing it. The best thing is to observe and try to let it soak in. Ask the questions on the trip home, if you're with them, or during the time that they're pulling maintenance on the car, be it immediately after the races or during the week. Second, don't be afraid to start at the bottom, no matter how much or little experience you have. You'd be surprised at how valuable, from a time perspective, just scraping mud off the car is. Third, the more you're there the more confidence the team will have in you. Don't be afraid to ask if you can help during the week pulling maintenance or helping to build (or many times re-build) the car. This is where you get the most value because you can learn how the team does things and what's important to them. This is also the best time to ask questions because it's a more relaxed atmosphere than during a race night. And most people are willing to teach the basics to others.

The more you put into it, the more you can get.

Tim Simmons

Very wisely put, it's really hard to find anyone, anymore, that wants to do anything but go, and watch, let alone help, and learn, and it's even more prescious if you can find someone to help with maint during the week. I realize, not everyone has a lot of extra time, that they are willing to give of, just to learn, but that's where it needs to start, and not everyone approaches set-up the same, or has the same routine, you have to be able to adapt to changes in routines, and it all takes time. The last guy that volunteered to help me, only wanted a ride to the race, and a free pit pass, and he just lived across the street. Soon as I unloaded, he was doing something else, he asked if I needed any help, I was changing gears, if I didn't need him, he was going to the grandstand, and get him a good seat. He never went back with me, or anyone else for that matter. Sure, the first few times, you'll either feel like you're in the way, or no one wants your help, but if you're interested, pretty soon you'll be accepted, and given jobs to do, that will help in your learning curve. Everything is not as simple and smooth as it looks, some nights are easy, and some turn into next days! Bob

thanks for the help. i think i might see what i can do to find a team that needs some help around here. i used to race motocross and i know what its like to bring someone to the races and all they are worried about is getting the good seat or just using you to get into the track. i want to avoid being this guy because i know how fast word spreads. my biggest problem right now is that i am finishing up college so i dont have alot of extra time. thanks for all of the help

"i used to race motocross and i know what its like to bring someone to the races and all they are worried about is getting the good seat or just using you to get into the track".


I think racing Motocross is a lot like racing sprint cars. As a kid I got a job
at Honda of Montery, Ca. There were three kids who worked in this shop and they
all raced. One week they would be tuning up a CBX (Six Clyinder Honda) and the
next they would be tunning up one those Four Cylinder Fours. CB 750 F or something like that. Other times the "Gold Wings" 1000 touring bikes would come in for tune ups, before a long trip.

But when they were not repairing bikes, the "race bikes" went on the stands.
They literally tore those bike down to the frames weekly. I remember them
honing out clyinders, buying new pistons and bores/cyinders, and trick shocks and
cleaning chains and letting them soak in oil for days before they went back
on the bike before a race.

They go racing and those bikes would come back crunched up. What happened?
They would say they missed a turn or "high sided" , tryed to jump three bumps
and only made two or something. Some times they came back hurt. They didn't
walk very well.

All I'm saying is you win in the shop, and these guys were winning proof they
worked on those machines to make them perfect and invested every cent and
every bit of time they had on them.

They asked me what I did that weeked and I said drank some beer and found
a Nudy Bar or something. They said "Why didn't you call me?" I said, "I didn't
think you were interested"...lol! They said "Call me, next time". I never did.

Larry "O"

P.S. There are racers and then there are Wantabe Racers and the two shall never
meet. :rolling