Quarter Midgets Vs. Karting
Hello Everyone; I'm thinking of introducing my son to racing and am currently investigating quarter midgets and go-karting; we live in the Indianapolis area. Does anyone have any advice on which series might be better for my demographic location or popularity? Any help would be appriciated! Thanks!
Both to start with...Originally Posted by t-o-double-d
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati
i think you'll find Karts faster. You might also look into "Champ" Karts - those with cages. Personally, I've never been impressed with 1/4 midgets, when I've seen them.
Karts for sure. Dirt or pavement, ovals or road course. Good experience no matter what you want your kid to graduate to.
Plus...you can generally get a beginner level Kart cheaper than a quarter midget (not ALWAYS, but it seems like there is a ton more kart stuff out there.)
And a HUGE plus, consider YOURSELF. Do you want to be stuck for an entire afternoon watching endless quarter midget racers droning around and around a tiny track? Or would you like to see several classes of karts beginner to pro putting on some pretty exciting races? The most exciting thing I've seen at a quarter midget race is some pathetically overzealous Dads throw stuff and get into fights.
Last edited by ClintCurtis; 06-18-2007 at 04:51 AM.
Good advice so far! Does anyone know of any sites where I could learn more about karting? I found worldkarting.com; is that the sanctioning body for the US? I was hoping that there would be some races around the Indy area that I could watch to get an idea. Also, what is the minimum age group for karts?
Thanks!
Sounds like some on here need to visit different quarter midget tracks. But, I'm extremely biased of course. Droning around? Ever seen the Light B class? Or even Light 160 for that matter?
IMO Since it is your child that will be doing the driving. I would highly suggest you put him in something with a full roll cage. It sounds silly but, 'Safety First'. In most cases you'll be racing for plastic trophies. Keep it all in perspective. Quarter midget racing can be expensive. In fact, cost control is one of the main focuses of the national organization this year. In the end it's all about having fun with your kid.
To a New Yorker like yourself, a hero is some type of weird sandwich. Not some nut who takes on three Tigers!
The best Karting website is Bob's 4 Cycle Karting @ www.4cycle.com They have a great forum.
"In memory of #17 Ronnie & Dick "Toby" Tobias."
Might also go out I-70 and talk to the people in new castle at dismore's place. I'm sure they could help a bit.
Jason
I want chicken I want liver meow mix meow mix please deliver
Why not arrange to have him test out both and see what 'he' likes?
That's an excellent idea; do you know if it is possible to do this without actually buying the equipment?
Probably take out your wallet
it is after all racing and its not cubic inches we are talking here, Its cubic dollers!Probably take out your wallet
aXe
Born Again Race Fan seen at
www.openwheelracers3.com
I'd put my money in karts - of course I'm biased too. <G> With quarter midgets you are going to need to learn how to set-up and run a fully suspended vehicle. Karts are static for the most part with your adjustments being limited to tire pressures, track width maybe caster & camber, etc. Of course you'll find those to be totally baffling at first too.
Karting is much more reasonable to get invovled in too. Our first two karts were less than $1500 each for complete karts with engines, spares, etc. You can spend as little or as much as you want really but karting is no different than IndyCars - how fast you want to go depends on how much you want to spend eventually. The difference is that you can have a whole lot of fun as you work toward being competitive - I always say that my kids' karting is the best hobby I've ever had.
If you are in Indy check out New Castle for sure. Dismore's place is truly state of the art and will absolutely spoil you rotten. Any track you go to from there will be a letdown unfortunately. Except for BeaveRun of course! They also own Comet Kart Sales which is the oldest and one of the largest kart suppliers in the country. They are in Greenfield so a stop by to the shop is even easier than heading to the track. There are other suppliers and tracks in the area too - Indy is a good karting town.
How old is your son? I could give you some ideas of classes and where to look for equipment. We've put two rookies through the cadet class - my boys were each nine when they started. I still have one in the Cadet class (8-12 year olds) and one in Yamaha Jr Can (12-15). For 8 and under the Kid Karts are awesome.
A lot of Little League Dads out there in karting too so you can't get away from all the idiots but by and large the youth karting groups are very nice people. I'm sure the quarter midget folks are the same way.
Try e-kartingnews.com for a lot of great 2-cycle information. Personally I'd stick with 2 cycle karts over 4 cycle, particularly for the younger kids. The difference between the two is like the difference between IndyCar and NASCAR. The full bodies on the 4 cycle karts make drivers awful brave - they bang and bump and crash and generally drive like idiots whenever they show up here. I won't even let my kids run practice sessions with them because it is almost a sure bet someone is going to end up with something broken. Very annoying.
Eventually at Beaverun.com we'll have a bunch of getting started in karting videos and articles. Unfortunately I doubt I'll have them put together before the off season though.
Dan Schlosser
Go fast, turn left !
www.tracksideonline.com
"Count all your blessings, just don't keep score...."
Mark "Hoot" Marchetti
Oh yeah, depending on the age I will have a rental program set up before too long. I have a Cadet available for rent now and will hopefully have a Kid Kart, a Junior Can kart and maybe a TAG kart (15 and over) available before long. Private testing can be set up with a small group so that you could get a big chunk of time in on an open track without the worry of having a ton of other karts around.
There is a brand new 1/3 mile(outside) slightly banked paved oval at Dismores track in New Castle. Mark said the track is only 5 ft more narrow than the Speedway. They are going to let it cure this year and maybe start racing it late fall. They are going to let 4cycle and TAG s(90mph!)race on the track with no offset chassis allowed, must be in RR trim. Newcastle is probably the nicest karting facility in the country, If you live in central Indiana, you have no other choice!
Racing is life,everything that happens before or after is just waiting.
This is a big problem within quarter midget racing. Only in the last couple of years have QMA tracks begun having promotional days that allow a child to try it out and see if he/she likes it. Our track has done it the last two years and it has been mostly beneficial for the club. Our first 'Drive a Real Race Car' day brought out over 60 kids wanting to give it a try. We even gained a few new member families. It does come with risks as club members supply everything needed. A couple of cars got pretty banged during the day.
Check out this site to find a club/clubs near you and see if they have a protional day schedule for this season.
http://www.quartermidgets.org/index2.asp
Both are great ways to get your young driver started.
As a board representative of the Central Indiana Quarter Midget Association, otherwise known as Mini Indy, let me take this time to let you know about our track, our sport, and what I feel is some of the best racing around.
A lot of you on this board are probably familiar with quarter midget racing. I suspect some of you are former quarter midget racers yourself. Quarter midget racing is a competitive motor sports organization for children ages 5 – 16. The racing has been around since the 30’s and many former, current, and future stars have gotten their start in quarter midgets.
The racing environment is about children and family with drivers developing many positive skills that stay with them throughout life and their racing careers.
The Mini-Indy Speedway is located just northeast of downtown Indianapolis on the Indiana State Fair Grounds. The concrete track is nice and wide with banking of 7 degrees on the straights and 9 degrees in the corners, just like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. When the Mini Indy track was constructed the Indianapolis Motor Speedway donated bricks to be sold to help pay for the construction of our track. It holds the distinction of having the largest Quarter Midget event ever with over 1000 cars showing up to compete in the 2003 Eastern Grands. North of Indianapolis is another great quarter midget facility in Kokomo, IN.
For those of you interested in getting their young drivers involved or are interested in learning more about quarter midget racing at Mini Indy, checks us out at www.miniindyspeedway.com.
The following is a link to our 2007 schedule. Take the time, stop by, support our young driver, and be prepared to witness some exciting racing by kids that surely will one day be stars.
www.miniindyspeedway.com/Documents/2007/MI_Schedule_2007.pdf
NOTE: This weekend we will have back to back racing days. Saturday’s racing event is extra special as it is our Bryce Bear Memorial. Bryce was a young five year old novice racer that was lost in a traffic accident a year ago.
Stop by and see what it is all about. Look me up and I will show you around and answer questions. You may find me on the flag stand most of the day when my driver is not racing.
For those of you who have been involved in quarter midgets, share some of your stories.
See you at the races,
Bob Moul
All, thanks again for the helpful advice! I am a little ahead of myself as my son is only 8 months old. But I know the next few years are going to fly by so I figured I might as well start looking into what is available locally in my area.
I plan on visiting some tracks around Indy and observe some kids racing and meet some of the people involved in the clubs. I've got a software background and don't have much mechanical ability so I'll have lots to learn.
Bob, I'll try to stop by this weekend at Mini Indy to say hi.
I also plan on visiting Dismore's facility in New Castle as it is relatively close to my house (I live on the Northeast side of Indy).
Thanks again to all for the advice; one last question... what age do you think would be appropriate to bring a child to watch some of these races?
'Unless a kid has got Doug Caruthers for a Father and Jimmy Bryan for a private tutor, go-karts are the only way to go. Ask all the Brazilians on how they got to Indy!
My last piece of advice would be to start saving $$ now!
I agree with Bob Moul my son Mikey races quarter midgets at Mini Indy, Larry Cleveland is the novice instructor and is just a good guy he even helps with setups. They have novice nights on Tuesdays and if you are a member you get a key to the track to practice.
We live right outside of Chicago but chose Mini Indy because it is one of the best tracks around.
The people are very helpful and I feel I have made friends for life.
Many of you know me and Mikey through Indy Downforce this weekend Mikey will be racing at Mini-Indy I will be at Iowa.
Another date to come and see the Quarter-midget drivers is at the "Gasoline Alley Nationals" at IMS July 12 through the 15.... This is setup inside the first turn come in by the museum there is no charge to watch...
Biggest thing here is to remember what You want to accomplish? Both types of racing will get you there with enough money behind You. All Racing is expensive and that has to be the number one big consideration. Can you really afford to race at the level you want to? Cheap- to get started in any of these endevours but to keep up with the jones so to speak is going to mean pouring lots and lots of money into it. Oh yea time is also a big factor you cant be good at these with out pouring your time into it, minum per car 10 to 15 hrs per week did you See I said MINUM! Not including track time or getting there!The best probably double that per cars "winning".
Lots more fall by the wayside without the big bucks that could have gotten it done for them than go on to becoming great drivers.
Tough tough sport without out someone who knows the ropes guiding you also.
But then again all these racing clubs through out the country do need field fillers,LOL
We did try the 1/4 midget route for less than any one else in Our group.we won a few and lost a bunch. But We would not trade it for anything else we did Growing our kids. Some great times were had. Best was watching a very young Jeff Gordon learning His way around, Well He was pretty established by the time We got there He was about12 then. wow If we could have had ten percent of what was spent by those guys We could have won a few more main events?
aXe
There is a cool Karting Program at All Sports GP in Sterling Va. Good way to see if the young one has what it takes without making a kart or car purchase. BTW the guy that runs the place has a number of 24 hours of Le Mans starts.
http://www.allsportsgp.com/kids.htm
Thanks for that link DavidM. Franklin has shown interest in getting some karting experience and this place would be perfect. Not to mention its only about an hour from our house! Not something we're going to be able to pull off this year (i.e. $$$!!!) But certainly something we'll try to get done in the next couple of years. I didn't even know anything like this existed in the area. There used to be kart racing in Monrovia MD. But I think that ended years ago and with 75/80 Dragway now closed (kart course was on the same grounds) I don't think it's ever coming back.
We bought an RV this year, for the money we spent on hotels we spent last year on hotels it has been a wash, even with gas prices.
Yes you are correct we spend a lot of money but I consider it spending it on Mikey's future. My kid is never around on the weekend he is always with us when not racing 1/4 midgets he is with me at the IRL Races. In the winter he races slot cars with my husband. He knows as long as grades are kept up he can continue racing. He thinks he will win the 500 I let him dream.
We have a sponsor so that really helps. It seems you can never have enough gears, tires, wheels etc....
Realistically, there are only a handful of kids that make it.
We bought our 1/4 midget off of Mike Hamilton his son Kyle is now racing midgets and only 15 or 16, he raced at Ft. Wayne with Tony Stewart and was impressive, I predict him to go on to bigger better things.
When age permits, call Mel Kenyon. The Kenyon Cars (13 age min.) are a really great training grounds. The 13 and 14 year olds in that series now really put on a great show.
If you would like some first hand info about Allsport (the indoor place) shoot me a note and I can put you in touch with a good friend whose son started there and runs their winter program to stay sharp. They are from Maryland but make the tow up to race with us at BeaveRun thanks to the facility and the good sized Yamaha Junior-Can class. His son is one heck of a good racer and some of that has to be attributed to being able to run year round.
Are there any groups (quarter midgets or kart) that run both ovals and road/street like courses on the same schedule?
Quarter Midgets are oval only. Someone else can answer about karts.
If I was getting a young kid in to motorsports, the first call I would make is to Brian Clauson's dad. I talked to him about this very subject at length last year and his insights about not just the competitive side but also the development of the kids as not only drivers but kids is well worth the conversation.
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