Quarter-midget
Quarter Midget racing is a form of racing. The cars are approximately one quarter (1/4) the size of full size midget race cars and gain speeds of up to about 45 mph. [1] [2]
The drivers are typically restricted to age 5 to 16. [2] [1] Tracks are typically banked ovals one-twentieth of a mile long, and have a surface of dirt, concrete, or asphalt. [1]
Statistics
Quarter Midgets have been around in one form or another since before WWII, but the main sanctioning body of Quarter Midgets, Quarter Midgets of America (QMA) has been incorporated since 1957.
There were over 4000 drivers in the United States in 2007. [3] In the United States, an engine can cost from $400 to $9,000, the car chassis from $1500 for a used up to $6000 for a new chassis. Tires start at $50. There are many brands of cars and even custom cars made by some people. Some of the common brands are N/C chassis(Nervo/Coggin), A&J, Boomerang, GT American, and Fiser. Other brands are ProFab, Bullrider, BlueDot, and Ricecars Cars are protected by body panels which are made of fiberglass, plastic, sheetmetal, or carbon fiber. The frame and the body panels if they are sheet metal can be powder coated and the body panels can be painted to give the car a unique look.
Engines and classes
- Jr Novice & Sr. Novice - Honda 120(stock) , or a Deco Super Stocker (stock, restricted)
- Jr honda & Sr. Honda - Honda 120 (stock)
- Hvy.Honda - Honda 120 (stock)
- Lt.& Hvy. 160 - Honda 160 (stock)
- Jr. & Sr. Super Stock - Deco stock engine
- Lt. & Hvy. Mod - Deco Modified engine
- Lt. & Hvy. B Modified - Deco B Modified engine
- Lt. & Hvy. AA Modified - Alcohol Deco AA Modified engine
- World Formula - Briggs and Stratton World Formula
- Half Midget - Any single cylinder motor, 250 cc maximum displacement
- Jr. Classes - 5-9 years old
- Sr. Classes - 9-till 17th Birthday
- Light Classes - Drivers under 100 lb
- Heavy Classes - Drivers over 100 lb
Half Midgets
- Half Class - Any single cylinder engine up to 250 cc, Drivers age 11 and up.
Hall of Fame
The Quarter Midgets of America runs a Hall of Fame at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. [4]
Many of today's racing stars got their start in Quarter Midgets, including, but not limited to:
- Jeff Gordon - Jimmy Vasser - Bobby and Terry Labonte - Sarah Fisher - AJ Foyt - Ryan Newman - Billy Boat - Jason Leffler - Bryan Clauson - Paul McMahon
External links
- Quarter Midgets of America website
- Western Australian Quarter Midget Association
- Racing Website with some history of QMA
- North Carolina Quarter Midget Association
- Quarter Midget Driver - Jake Dempster
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Introduction to Quarter Midget Racing, Retrieved January 3 2007
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 [1] Todd Golden, "Sunday special: Terre Haute Quarter Midget Association is a Terre Haute fixture", September 17 2006, Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind. Retrieved January 4 2007
- ↑ [2] Jessica Raynor, "Quarter-midget racers rev up", December 29 2006, Florida Today, Retrieved January 4 2007
- ↑ Quarter Midgets of America Hall of Fame