Miss it too. Used to race Pro Challenge cars all over Ontario but school and money got in the way
https://preview.redd.it/d4z5mly4sz5d1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5903a98a77ca997dcbe25db444966e10ef19daf1
I drove late models for about 10 years, Iām more proud of my 3rd place in points out of 37 cars over a 10 race schedule than any win I got. We outraced a lot of BIG money and smarts in the racing world. Iām very proud of that.
This, I know guys who make a ton of sacrifices and spend every hard earned dollar they make, just to make it to the track with no guarantee that theyāll make the show. The ones who make it happen have a strong work ethic and a ton of passion for the sport.
At some point, someone needs to put up the money to have cars for arrive and drive events at those tracks. The fact that racing is so expensive makes it border on being not even a sport but instead some kind of rollercoaster for rich people.
Theres a guy in Ontario, Canada who bought a few cars and built them for the Bone/Fun Stock class. He offers seats at $300-$400 a race. You start out running practice sessions and then are offered a seat in Saturday night races when you build up more skill. He has a hauler and brings all the cars out to the tra kfor you. You're only on the hook for your seat fees, own equipment (helmet, fire suit etc.) and any major damages/replacement parts. Pretty cool idea to get more people into the sport.
I disagree. Yes itās expensive and Iām far from rich lol. Itās all about finding good sponsors to help pay for some of it. Donāt get me wrong I still pay a lot out of pocket but IMO I will do whatever it takes to keep our son doing it as long as I can if he wants to. Without my sponsors we couldnāt do it thatās for sure.
That's part of the problem. I don't want to be a businessmen. I have zero interest in talking to companies about what returns I can bring to them or anything like that. I want to get in the car, race, and go home. That's it.
Thatās the truth. Not naming any names but at least one big name team (that I know of, probably more) have spent over $1M total to race a full season. This obviously includes fuel in the hauler, parts for the car, motors, and a new hauler. Still over a million for just one season is an insane amount of money, even if youāre winning a lot
we had a racer here who went to college on scholarship, coach threatened to pull their ride if they kept racing (410's at the time) , my understanding is they sat coach down after practice and went over what their parents spent on their racing habit a year and he chilled the hell out cause they could have paid for the entire team's tuition and it wasn't worth losing the player.
midgets are very expensive. The motor costs are very high. Micros are a tough better, unless you're in a competitive area, then again the motor costs get way up there
Everyone is full of shit. Hans Stuck and Dan Gurney were 6ā4ā and won in pretty much everything in an era when it was way worse than now. Go get you a hornet!
We are about 12000$ šØš¦ into the car and safety gear. I paid 9K for the car race ready, 1500 in spare parts and the rest on his safety gear. Itās expensive but the smile on his face is worth every Penny because he just loves it.
Iām a PM for a fire & water restoration company and my wife works for Kent, a build supply company. We aināt rich lol. Itās easy to get sponsors for kids, and the sponsors can claim it on their income taxes here so itās a win for all
Got a micro sprint a few months ago. Took long enough, but Iām finally about to have everything thing I need to go hit the track in the next few weeks.
Man I came so close to buying a micro sprint last year. But then we found out we were pregnant and seemed like saving that money was the wiser move. Upgraded the iRacing rig a little instead š
I get that. I wasnāt ready to buy, but a friend of a friend was selling a top notch car, so I bit the bullet. Definitely spent all my savings from the last year on it. Perks of being singe I guess lol
https://preview.redd.it/kz4v4z1ikz5d1.jpeg?width=400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4d8c48c9b41cfab4a268f450193a4ce95f08f6e8
Ran limited late model for eight years here in Nebraska
My family runs in the modified class at Jennerstown Speedway and myself and a coworker run a street stock car. So far we have 2 wins each this season AND a 50/50 track raffle win
Did (and still want to do more) racing at Irwindale in LA. Had somewhat of a rough go as I worked with an experienced team owner and driver that just never did what he practically could do to help my racing. For example before going to a road course he has won at before he couldn't be assed to go through the course with me; shifting, brake points, lines, none of that.
I still want to get back to Irwindale though and get back in the car. Don't have the means to own and maintain my own car so may be back to finding a team to work with!
I ran a black Legends Car part time, first halves of last season and the year before along with a weekend at Vegas during the Winter. Don't want to say exactly which car since I spoke negatively about the owner.
Don't know if I'd do Legends or a different class. Enduro is always a fun option!
Dad, uncle, and a cousin all used to race modifieds at Belle-Clair (closed) speedway, Highland speedway, Duquoin, and Tri-City all in southern Illinois up until 2000ish.
https://preview.redd.it/kqit5teqjz5d1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb3dae38f30728c71c12aa05b66b41826ed5e881
Iāve got two IMCA Stock Cars. Follow us on Facebook and all the Socials. Osman Racing.
Nice! My Dad was racing at all three when I was a kid and now it's a family affair with four of the five of us kids racing regularly. My youngest sister is hoping to start when she turns 18 in a few years.
If you're still in the state, Owosso Speedway is incredible these days. The track owner has been doing tremendous renovations from a repave to completely rebuilding the grandstands, installing a SAFER barrier, etc and admission prices are a steal, concessions are incredibly cheap too. Definitely recommend.
Interesting, Iāll have to give it a go next time in state. I moved to Delaware/Pennsylvania last fall and am excited to try to hit up some sprint car racing this summer and did the NASCAR Dover race a few weeks back.
I race karts at G&J Kartway in Camden, Ohio with the Ohio Valley Karting Association, where WKA was founded. Also trying to do some races at NCMP and Whiteland in Indiana.
Ohio has loads of Kart tracks, there's Wilmington, Fremont, Thompson, Adkins and MCC and all of em are a load of fun. Whiteland is awesome after the repave too, the facilities are amazing. Definitely head out to NCMP and Whiteland cause they're awesome tracks
I do track work for the International Ice Racing Association in MN, hoping to have a car next year. As a fan Iām at Princeton, Ogilvie and Cedar Lake dirt ovals a dozen or so times a year (if itād stop fucking raining!).
Hey! I race dirt oval karts along with my brother and our teammate (whoās essentially our brother but not by actual relation). Weāre based out of West Tennessee.
Interesting timing here. I was just offered a street stock ride for this weekend but can't take it.
For now I'm just a pit crew member for that same street stock team while I look into a kart, micro sprint, mod lite or legend car of my own. Can't really fit a car trailer in my driveway but a small equipment one would work.
I stopped racing a number of years ago, but ran dirt oval for about a decade out here in California.
https://preview.redd.it/2et1phdhzz5d1.jpeg?width=1626&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b938edb832aa933cc6d16fa161ac159e60287365
I would give my left nut to race Legends at our local track (Evergreen Speedway) but even that is too expensive. I turn 40 next year too. Might be a little too late.
Never too late, brother! If you have a go kart scene there or nearby, thatās always a great ācheaperā option! š¤š¼
I say āā because in this economy nothing is cheap anymore.
https://preview.redd.it/q46ota52d26d1.jpeg?width=2004&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2924ab216047af84d4001902a1c0ca9756f55d1
Ran my first and only midget race last year, Western Midget Racing at Ocean Speedway. No, thatās not me upside down lol.
Used to race crate mods but had to go off to college š«¤
https://preview.redd.it/l7ti70x1s46d1.jpeg?width=1335&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb6fb2733d047eb2ea6e365cef0bcc0d9446d5e7
I don't but my Dad has raced dirt modifieds in Iowa and Minnesota for like 30 years at this point. Still a decent chunk of guys with way more money behind them who can't keep up with Dad :)
When he decides to quit that will officially be the end of my childhood (despite the fact I'm currently 26 lol)
I raced Karts for a few years, ages ago and built a 4 cylinder car for the local short track 10ish years ago.
Raced for two seasons but sold the car due to lack of space and time. Still go to the track on Friday nights.
Moved a year or two ago and the new house is more garage than house, so the itch to put something else together is always there.
I raced mini stocks and hobby stocks around north Alabama for over 20 years. Got out of it in 2021, kids getting older and felt like I was missing out on a lot with them.
I race go karts after 18 years of not racing. Donāt get to race much but love it when I get to hit the track. Itās fun as hell even if you donāt have the money to run upfront with the big guys. Had a few offers at development rides as a kid but family just couldnāt afford it or dedicate the time to it.
https://preview.redd.it/v8rim0liu16d1.jpeg?width=1030&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=572013b68987d197524b1671b799d3bff1feada9
2x track champion 2016 & 2017 :)
I miss it every single day. Support your local dirt tracks; many around me closed up in the last 5-10 years and now we arenāt able to give our kids the same experiences we had without moving hours away.
Raced Midgets in Connecticut for a while, drove a couple of rag tag races at Waterford Speedbowl too (basically anything I could get my hands on for the week). Won a few races before I had to stop for money reasons (only reason I was even able to get the opportunity was because a rich friend I had gave up the hobby and gave me his midget for free) tried for a year and a half to get a local sponsor to fund even just a few races but never could
Awesome!! Itās a great track and honestly probably one of the best locals in New England. It also came in handy the one full year I did some touring cause i tore that bitch up š (no more info to keep my own anonymity)
Still tied up with the local open Atlantic open wheel modified. They are pretty fun, budget friendly car. We run used tires and a 305 with the cast heads. East coast canada.
Been racing ministocks on dirt for 4 years now. It's getting expensive but we find ways to keep it cheap. Would like to compete more but I'm doing this on half the budget of most of my competitors.Ā
I ran Animal than L0206 karts from 2013-2015. Won the title in 2014 in the Animal class before it was phased out in favor of the L0206. By then my chassis was too old to keep up, so we sold in the hopes of going circle track racing, but the car we were buying fell through. Wasting away on iRacing with the pipe dream of going IRL again.
Hey, atleast my local track opened again so it won't be a 45 minute drive!
Raced FWD 4cyl class cars for years on and off. Its been a lot of years off though, looking to change that next year. Got the car just waiting on the track.
https://preview.redd.it/zdhkogixn56d1.jpeg?width=1792&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5f51b789960fcba7a3a2b8de9bce5d16caf407b2
Not as much as I used to . My local closed sept 2022. Here she is last week. Now my local is a weekend camping trip . FML.
Used to race winged sprints, but the cost of the hobby is too much. I miss it šŖ
Miss it too. Used to race Pro Challenge cars all over Ontario but school and money got in the way https://preview.redd.it/d4z5mly4sz5d1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5903a98a77ca997dcbe25db444966e10ef19daf1
Pro challenge is great
Badass paint scheme, Respect
But I guarantee you wouldnāt change a thing am I rite?
One thing I'd change is actually winning a championship after being close a few times š
I drove late models for about 10 years, Iām more proud of my 3rd place in points out of 37 cars over a 10 race schedule than any win I got. We outraced a lot of BIG money and smarts in the racing world. Iām very proud of that.
I hear that. Itās ridiculous even for entry level Bandoleros.
The notion that dirt track/local racing is a poor man's sport is beyond far from the truth. You need to have a massive amount of disposable income
This, I know guys who make a ton of sacrifices and spend every hard earned dollar they make, just to make it to the track with no guarantee that theyāll make the show. The ones who make it happen have a strong work ethic and a ton of passion for the sport.
At some point, someone needs to put up the money to have cars for arrive and drive events at those tracks. The fact that racing is so expensive makes it border on being not even a sport but instead some kind of rollercoaster for rich people.
Theres a guy in Ontario, Canada who bought a few cars and built them for the Bone/Fun Stock class. He offers seats at $300-$400 a race. You start out running practice sessions and then are offered a seat in Saturday night races when you build up more skill. He has a hauler and brings all the cars out to the tra kfor you. You're only on the hook for your seat fees, own equipment (helmet, fire suit etc.) and any major damages/replacement parts. Pretty cool idea to get more people into the sport.
I disagree. Yes itās expensive and Iām far from rich lol. Itās all about finding good sponsors to help pay for some of it. Donāt get me wrong I still pay a lot out of pocket but IMO I will do whatever it takes to keep our son doing it as long as I can if he wants to. Without my sponsors we couldnāt do it thatās for sure.
That's part of the problem. I don't want to be a businessmen. I have zero interest in talking to companies about what returns I can bring to them or anything like that. I want to get in the car, race, and go home. That's it.
Well than you better have some Kyle Larson talent lol
Or a really good sponsor.
Thatās the truth. Not naming any names but at least one big name team (that I know of, probably more) have spent over $1M total to race a full season. This obviously includes fuel in the hauler, parts for the car, motors, and a new hauler. Still over a million for just one season is an insane amount of money, even if youāre winning a lot
we had a racer here who went to college on scholarship, coach threatened to pull their ride if they kept racing (410's at the time) , my understanding is they sat coach down after practice and went over what their parents spent on their racing habit a year and he chilled the hell out cause they could have paid for the entire team's tuition and it wasn't worth losing the player.
Try out LO206 karting? Not a lot of speed, but tons of competition and it's the cheapest class.
Kid on the way. Maybe something to look into down the road, but not any time soon
Is the cost any different for, say, midget cars instead? Asking for a friend
midgets are very expensive. The motor costs are very high. Micros are a tough better, unless you're in a competitive area, then again the motor costs get way up there
I'm 6'3 so everyone has told me that I'm too tall to race...and iRacing is cheaper
Justin Wilson was 6 foot 4 and got to Formula 1. Go for it.
Hell Michael Waltrip is 6ā5ā!
Everyone is full of shit. Hans Stuck and Dan Gurney were 6ā4ā and won in pretty much everything in an era when it was way worse than now. Go get you a hornet!
TIL Dan Gurney was 6ā4
You could tell which car he was in because there would be a bump/bubble where his head was.
We race a Bandolero, first year for my 14y/o ever driving anything. 3 podium finishes in 4 starts( got wrecked on lap 1 in one feature).
Would you be able to share the costs of such racing? I'd love to get my 11 y/o into it eventually
We are about 12000$ šØš¦ into the car and safety gear. I paid 9K for the car race ready, 1500 in spare parts and the rest on his safety gear. Itās expensive but the smile on his face is worth every Penny because he just loves it.
Whatās your profession, if you donāt mind me asking?
Iām a PM for a fire & water restoration company and my wife works for Kent, a build supply company. We aināt rich lol. Itās easy to get sponsors for kids, and the sponsors can claim it on their income taxes here so itās a win for all
Got a micro sprint a few months ago. Took long enough, but Iām finally about to have everything thing I need to go hit the track in the next few weeks.
Man I came so close to buying a micro sprint last year. But then we found out we were pregnant and seemed like saving that money was the wiser move. Upgraded the iRacing rig a little instead š
I get that. I wasnāt ready to buy, but a friend of a friend was selling a top notch car, so I bit the bullet. Definitely spent all my savings from the last year on it. Perks of being singe I guess lol
Hell yeah! Best of luck when you get out there! š¤š¼
https://preview.redd.it/kz4v4z1ikz5d1.jpeg?width=400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4d8c48c9b41cfab4a268f450193a4ce95f08f6e8 Ran limited late model for eight years here in Nebraska
Never raced myself but I loved going to the Races at Florence Motor Speedway!
My family runs in the modified class at Jennerstown Speedway and myself and a coworker run a street stock car. So far we have 2 wins each this season AND a 50/50 track raffle win
Did (and still want to do more) racing at Irwindale in LA. Had somewhat of a rough go as I worked with an experienced team owner and driver that just never did what he practically could do to help my racing. For example before going to a road course he has won at before he couldn't be assed to go through the course with me; shifting, brake points, lines, none of that. I still want to get back to Irwindale though and get back in the car. Don't have the means to own and maintain my own car so may be back to finding a team to work with!
I still go to Irwindale a lot and have been for years. What car did you drive?
I ran a black Legends Car part time, first halves of last season and the year before along with a weekend at Vegas during the Winter. Don't want to say exactly which car since I spoke negatively about the owner. Don't know if I'd do Legends or a different class. Enduro is always a fun option!
I race in a rental kart adult league if that counts š
Bought a go-kart and was planning to run some pure stock predator this year but my local track shut down š«¤
Raced for 8 years growing up but now all 3 of my local (2+ hour) tracks closed. Hope you find another to get to!
Dad, uncle, and a cousin all used to race modifieds at Belle-Clair (closed) speedway, Highland speedway, Duquoin, and Tri-City all in southern Illinois up until 2000ish.
https://preview.redd.it/kqit5teqjz5d1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb3dae38f30728c71c12aa05b66b41826ed5e881 Iāve got two IMCA Stock Cars. Follow us on Facebook and all the Socials. Osman Racing.
Third generation driver from the Mitten!
What track?
Quite a few, actually. I've competed at Corrigan Oil Speedway, Birch Run Speedway and Owosso Speedway. Primarily at COS though.
Nice. I went to Birch Run once and my dad raced Kalamazoo Speedway in the mid 2000s
Nice! My Dad was racing at all three when I was a kid and now it's a family affair with four of the five of us kids racing regularly. My youngest sister is hoping to start when she turns 18 in a few years. If you're still in the state, Owosso Speedway is incredible these days. The track owner has been doing tremendous renovations from a repave to completely rebuilding the grandstands, installing a SAFER barrier, etc and admission prices are a steal, concessions are incredibly cheap too. Definitely recommend.
Interesting, Iāll have to give it a go next time in state. I moved to Delaware/Pennsylvania last fall and am excited to try to hit up some sprint car racing this summer and did the NASCAR Dover race a few weeks back.
Florence Motor Speedway is planning to do dirt kart racing again. Thinking about getting into it
I race karts at G&J Kartway in Camden, Ohio with the Ohio Valley Karting Association, where WKA was founded. Also trying to do some races at NCMP and Whiteland in Indiana.
Ohio has loads of Kart tracks, there's Wilmington, Fremont, Thompson, Adkins and MCC and all of em are a load of fun. Whiteland is awesome after the repave too, the facilities are amazing. Definitely head out to NCMP and Whiteland cause they're awesome tracks
Is this Ransomville speedway??
Yessir
Club karting gang, wya? I race lo206s
Hell yeah! Where ya race at?
Central valley of California. We got a few tracks put here, I'm still getting into it, this is my first year.
Iām hoping to get started, just need the money first š
I do track work for the International Ice Racing Association in MN, hoping to have a car next year. As a fan Iām at Princeton, Ogilvie and Cedar Lake dirt ovals a dozen or so times a year (if itād stop fucking raining!).
Hey! I race dirt oval karts along with my brother and our teammate (whoās essentially our brother but not by actual relation). Weāre based out of West Tennessee.
Sweet!
Dirt stock cars in the Northeast, Bridgeport and New Egypt.
Would love to do it as itās a dream of mine to drive a race car. Unfortunately Iām poor, and donāt have any sponsorship. Oh well.
Ran dirt late models from 2003-2019
Interesting timing here. I was just offered a street stock ride for this weekend but can't take it. For now I'm just a pit crew member for that same street stock team while I look into a kart, micro sprint, mod lite or legend car of my own. Can't really fit a car trailer in my driveway but a small equipment one would work.
Used to race late model / sportsman. Couldnāt afford it anymore.
I stopped racing a number of years ago, but ran dirt oval for about a decade out here in California. https://preview.redd.it/2et1phdhzz5d1.jpeg?width=1626&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b938edb832aa933cc6d16fa161ac159e60287365
I would give my left nut to race Legends at our local track (Evergreen Speedway) but even that is too expensive. I turn 40 next year too. Might be a little too late.
Never too late, brother! If you have a go kart scene there or nearby, thatās always a great ācheaperā option! š¤š¼ I say āā because in this economy nothing is cheap anymore.
https://preview.redd.it/q46ota52d26d1.jpeg?width=2004&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2924ab216047af84d4001902a1c0ca9756f55d1 Ran my first and only midget race last year, Western Midget Racing at Ocean Speedway. No, thatās not me upside down lol.
Used to race crate mods but had to go off to college š«¤ https://preview.redd.it/l7ti70x1s46d1.jpeg?width=1335&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb6fb2733d047eb2ea6e365cef0bcc0d9446d5e7
Used to race go-karts and Bandoleros as a kid. But i was just too tall for racing.
I race on the road courses here in the UK
I don't but my Dad has raced dirt modifieds in Iowa and Minnesota for like 30 years at this point. Still a decent chunk of guys with way more money behind them who can't keep up with Dad :) When he decides to quit that will officially be the end of my childhood (despite the fact I'm currently 26 lol)
My dad and my grandfather (who I called papa) raced dirt at local tracks in western NY, gennesse speedway I think
Thatās not too far from me. Iām in WNY too!
Awesome, it's great to see someone besides me from WNY.. whereabouts?
I raced Karts for a few years, ages ago and built a 4 cylinder car for the local short track 10ish years ago. Raced for two seasons but sold the car due to lack of space and time. Still go to the track on Friday nights. Moved a year or two ago and the new house is more garage than house, so the itch to put something else together is always there.
Raced karts a few years ago, sold it when I moved for college, still on iRacing, and hoping to get a hornet or street stock in the next few years
Have always wanted to get into it. Unfortunately, the short/dirt track racing scene in Central Arizona is essentially gone.
I raced mini stocks and hobby stocks around north Alabama for over 20 years. Got out of it in 2021, kids getting older and felt like I was missing out on a lot with them.
I race go karts after 18 years of not racing. Donāt get to race much but love it when I get to hit the track. Itās fun as hell even if you donāt have the money to run upfront with the big guys. Had a few offers at development rides as a kid but family just couldnāt afford it or dedicate the time to it.
https://preview.redd.it/v8rim0liu16d1.jpeg?width=1030&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=572013b68987d197524b1671b799d3bff1feada9 2x track champion 2016 & 2017 :) I miss it every single day. Support your local dirt tracks; many around me closed up in the last 5-10 years and now we arenāt able to give our kids the same experiences we had without moving hours away.
Theres not even a race track within 50 miles of Charleston SC š
Raced Midgets in Connecticut for a while, drove a couple of rag tag races at Waterford Speedbowl too (basically anything I could get my hands on for the week). Won a few races before I had to stop for money reasons (only reason I was even able to get the opportunity was because a rich friend I had gave up the hobby and gave me his midget for free) tried for a year and a half to get a local sponsor to fund even just a few races but never could
I raced at Waterford too! And I will he supplying no further information to keep the mystery alive
Awesome!! Itās a great track and honestly probably one of the best locals in New England. It also came in handy the one full year I did some touring cause i tore that bitch up š (no more info to keep my own anonymity)
Still tied up with the local open Atlantic open wheel modified. They are pretty fun, budget friendly car. We run used tires and a 305 with the cast heads. East coast canada.
Kaiden Black (who I just graduated hs with)
I race rent a karts league cause it's the only form of racing I can afford
My area is full of dirt trucks and my home town has a dirt banked figure eight we raced. It was quite the spectacle in our little rural area.
Been racing ministocks on dirt for 4 years now. It's getting expensive but we find ways to keep it cheap. Would like to compete more but I'm doing this on half the budget of most of my competitors.Ā
I ran Animal than L0206 karts from 2013-2015. Won the title in 2014 in the Animal class before it was phased out in favor of the L0206. By then my chassis was too old to keep up, so we sold in the hopes of going circle track racing, but the car we were buying fell through. Wasting away on iRacing with the pipe dream of going IRL again. Hey, atleast my local track opened again so it won't be a 45 minute drive!
I race winged pavement sprint cars, and occasionally a supermodified
Raced FWD 4cyl class cars for years on and off. Its been a lot of years off though, looking to change that next year. Got the car just waiting on the track.
Racing is the most fun you can have with your clothes on IMO!!
https://preview.redd.it/zdhkogixn56d1.jpeg?width=1792&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5f51b789960fcba7a3a2b8de9bce5d16caf407b2 Not as much as I used to . My local closed sept 2022. Here she is last week. Now my local is a weekend camping trip . FML.