[Rhody]

I raced 360s and 410s, on a budget with limited help. Go 600 racing. The amount of work and time required for the big cars if you don't have a solid background and support.

[Mikey2274]

Originally Posted by jdull99 There is one closer to Indiana too: https://www.sippelracin.com/index.html

I'm going to look into this school. My younger brother lives about an hour away from both of those tracks and it seems like a good place to pick up a ton of knowledge.

[HDbill]

I think that you said that you went to one or two tracks all season. What do they race at the tracks closest to you? (great idea from whoever suggested it already). Travel can be a killer. I also "like" the rental ride that was suggested. But there are 4 or 5 planets between racing go karts and sprint cars. Carts are probably the best fun for the dollar, simply because of the simplicity and lack of suspension. The tire bill is a little easier to swallow also. Ancient quote "speed is expensive; how much do you want to spend?" Maintenance also gets involved. The advice to race with a team for an entire season is probably the best advice; if you will actually listen and learn and maybe be allowed to pick up wrenches and do things that help. Nobody is fast by accident. When you see a car win a race, believe me they earned it 20 times over and they have put in the time to learn what works, what needs a ton of attention so that it doesn't fail 3 laps before the checker, etc etc. You will have a chance to learn how stagger, tire pressure, wheel offsets, adnauseum, affect the car responds to your input. So, bottom line? Do the rent a ride just for the experience. And think hard about the racers that you watched this year, Maybe there is a chance to be on that crew for a full season? If you pick anything more than a go Kart you are going to need help with the car keeping it ready to go back to the trace. Pick the smallest race car that you can fit in to start and make sure you have dependable help if you want trace anything that needs a trailer. Good luck.

[Mikey2274]

So it looks like I am travelling up to Wisconsin this weekend to buy a Bailey Lightning sprint with a freshly rebuilt 1000cc motor out of a GSXR with guhl alcohol injection. 4 new dual adjustable Super Shocks. It has 3 front wings, 2 rear wings, 3 sets of wheels with tires, and all kinds of assorted odds and ends. The guy is moving up to 305 Race Saver class and he wants to liquidate. He is offering me everything I need, and then some, to go racing. I am super excited about it! I plan on racing in the MMSA, with some occasional Lightning spint races thrown in here and there. Now....to find a trailer to bring it all home! LOL!

[jonboat15]

Originally Posted by Mikey2274 So it looks like I am travelling up to Wisconsin this weekend to buy a Bailey Lightning sprint with a freshly rebuilt 1000cc motor out of a GSXR with guhl alcohol injection. 4 new dual adjustable Super Shocks. It has 3 front wings, 2 rear wings, 3 sets of wheels with tires, and all kinds of assorted odds and ends. The guy is moving up to 305 Race Saver class and he wants to liquidate. He is offering me everything I need, and then some, to go racing. I am super excited about it! I plan on racing in the MMSA, with some occasional Lightning spint races thrown in here and there. Now....to find a trailer to bring it all home! LOL!

Congrats! Have fun, it's an experience you won't forget.

[jdull99]

I read that they are new, but maybe after your 1st practices, send the shocks out and have them dyno-ed and rebuilt as needed. They should help you with valving ideas for tracks and conditions; or maybe the seller or Super Shox has data on that exact set which you can begin to try to understand.

This one sounds set, but engine/fuel management dyno tuning is great too (as an idea, it was always over my budget though) - and of course clean the system out after every time it runs - if u can purge it with gas, that can be ok at times.

Only other thing I would say I "know" about chain drive cars, is to keep up on the chains. Replace often (like over this off-season; and then after every few races/practice sessions), have spares, and clean and re-lube every week.

Keep up on wheel bearings too.

[767]

Several have said it, go the micro route. Sad truth, your going to tear up some stuff in the beginning. Micros are easier to get parts for. The other thing, it is one of the only divisions that is actually growing. You see more races popping up every year.

[Mikey2274]

Got my new car! The guy I bought it from kept immaculate records on it with what he replaced and when. Also track conditions and settings on the car. He even included user manuals and factory manuals for the motor! I know that car feel is a personal prefference, but his notes should get me in the ballpark. I can learn and adjust as I pick up experience. I will probably be racing with the MMSA and maybe some other lightning events throuhout the season.

[kendirt]

Originally Posted by Mikey2274 Got my new car! The guy I bought it from kept immaculate records on it with what he replaced and when. Also track conditions and settings on the car. He even included user manuals and factory manuals for the motor! I know that car feel is a personal prefference, but his notes should get me in the ballpark. I can learn and adjust as I pick up experience. I will probably be racing with the MMSA and maybe some other lightning events throuhout the season.

Also keep in mind you can always take the wing off and run it with USAC MTM as a Midget.

[Pitdad]

CONGRATULATIONS! You have now entered into an age old fraternity who have found a more creative way than farming to consume more than 150% of your time and financial resources! Welcome! Fandom ends here. Now you find out all the behind the scenes answers to the questions you posed while sitting in the grandstands.

• Why doesn't he just fire the engine back up??? He's just bringing out a yellow so he can catch up to the field!!!
• Why won't that car get into his starting spot, is he an idiot???
• Doesn't he know he's got a flat???

All this and MORE...

But seriously, Jason and Ken's advice is sound. Chain maintenance is critical. Nothing more disappointing that FINALLY getting the car on the track and running and having a decent result, and then the chain falls off. Been there and done that!

Other advice for a new start up. Don't worry about carrying all of those spares you just acquired. Experienced teams make a lot of adjustments and try different setups at the track because they know what they want to try. YOU need to focus on GETTING TO THE TRACK. That sounds elementary, but until you've tried to do it, you don't realize how much work there is in just getting the car on the trailer and to the track each week. You've got a few nights of just getting on the track for the feature before you need to worry about making a bar change. Baseline setup in the shop and turns some laps...

And that's the key to getting better is racing as much as you can possibly afford to. That's why I said in an earlier post, the reason all these wunderkids out of the micro ranks are so good is they can race that car in 3 - 4 classes on the same night. Three times the laps means three times the experience. So don't be afraid to follow Ken's advice and pull those wings off and run with the D2 groups that will let you.

My last piece of advice to a first time driver is, once you actually get there and get strapped in and pull out onto the track, DON'T FORGET TO BREATHE. I'm not kidding about this. You cannot hold your breath for 8 laps, but you will try to and it will exhaust you before you get the crossed flags. Every time you get an opportunity to get on track, take it. Hot laps, mud laps, engine heat, whatever it is, every time you get in the car, strap in, fire the engine, work the clutch, and circle the track, you're learning something. You're getting more comfortable in the seat and that's the key. You'll be amazed at how many things you have to make a concerted effort to do when you first get in the car and then after dozens and dozens of repetitions, it becomes second nature. THEN you can focus on learning how to execute a slide job or diamond off a turn.

Good luck. Stay humble. Keep your nose clean. Be respectful of your competitors and don't be afraid to ask for advice or help at the track or in the shop. You'll know you're making progress when you ask a guy for help and he turns you down. That means you're getting good enough that he considers you competition.