i am looking to purchase a sprinter here before the next season. but i have no idea what to look for. i read all the time about 88/40 and 86.5/40. is that just axel to axel and the width of the cockpit? what do most people run? how much harder is it to run nonwinged with a winged car? i mean if anyone wants to give me the DL on what is good and what is not, i would really appreciate it.(by the way i will buy a winged car because of where live.)

[cecil98]

88/40 means the wheelbase (center of axle to center of axle) is 88" and the front of the motorplate is 40" from the center of the rear axle (that's called engine setback). There are cars that are 86/40, 87/40 etc. There are also 39" cars but I believe they're not suited to wing racing. Some wing guy can get on here and tell you which is best for what you are going to do. I have some friends who run pretty good with a wing. They have an 88/40 Maxim chassis with the raised leftside lower frame rail. Most 40" chasses work fine with, or without, a wing.

[dant]

Best advice....Spend a season as a crewmember helping an experianced team.racing a sprint car is to risky to go at it half cocked.Besides having some friends at the track to lean on when you do gear up and go racing never hurts.

[Mark Sr]

I would say if your going to run a sprint car.. drive with the wing on or with out it at first, and run the same track till you get to know the car's,and the sit up's, it's not easy running a wing car then taking it off the next weekend. stick with one for a time.... Good luck.....

[LEADERS EDGE]

Sometimes it's just as easy to learn by doing than by watching. That said, if you have never raced anything, you really should learn more about it before jumping into a sprint car.

The most common cars are Maxims,J&J's, and Eagles. JEI also has several winged cars in the East.

I will never tell you good equipment doesn't help, but having great equipment and little experience leads to an expensive learning curve that drives some out of the sport before they really have a chance to gain experience. Before worrying about having the perfect chassis and shock pkg.; you must first learn how to drive and then you have to learn how to race. After you learn how to drive and race then you can worry about going fast.

I would suggest asking guys who run at your local track for suggestions and then looking around to see if you can buy a complete operation if someone wants to get out. That way you get all of the little nick nacks that you need.

The D.L. is that there are many, many different ways to go racing and you have to find what works for you. Everyone that does it has cars and people that they trust and like, but it isn't a one size fits all.

[sprntr]

Originally Posted by ATrimble i am looking to purchase a sprinter here before the next season. but i have no idea what to look for. i read all the time about 88/40 and 86.5/40. is that just axel to axel and the width of the cockpit? what do most people run? how much harder is it to run nonwinged with a winged car? i mean if anyone wants to give me the DL on what is good and what is not, i would really appreciate it.(by the way i will buy a winged car because of where live.)

Give us a little more info & we can try to better help you.

What track(s) do you plan on racing?

What Sanction?

What engine size?

[Jonr]

Originally Posted by dant Best advice....Spend a season as a crewmember helping an experianced team.racing a sprint car is to risky to go at it half cocked.Besides having some friends at the track to lean on when you do gear up and go racing never hurts.

Best advice so far.

Another idea would be to go get a parts catalog and start looking at the prices. This way when the car come backs on a hook, you will have an idea on how much your hobby is going to cost you.

Also, do you have all of the other items neccessary to make this thing work? Truck, Trailer, tools, garage space, safety equipment? The first year racing you spend almost as much money on things that don't go on the car as you do things that do go on the car.

[cecil98]

when i first started racing i built a car and that was it. had no way to get it to the track or anything like that. fortunately, a lot of people in my area (cincinnati) were interested in being involved in racing, or were involved already so, i was able to borrow a flat bed trailer, and a friend asked me if he could tow the car, etc. between the resources i had, and friends and acquaintences, we were able to get to the track and race. it was a rag tag deal but we had a ball. as time went on i was able to accumulate the equipment i needed to get everything to the track and race.

oh, don't forget.....you'll need access to a quad runner, as well. those sprinters are hard as h$ll to push by hand, especially with that stagger!!! Good Luck!

i am 20yrs old now and i have been racing since i was 11. i have drove Qm's, shifter karts, modifieds, latemodels, minisprints(1200cc upright), and a midget. here in CO there is not a'hole of racing. the main deal is the ASCS rockyMtn body. they run 360's. but i dont really plan on just running 360's. i would like to run a few 410 shows too. the rockyMtn region is all winged, but just down the road 5hrs they run non winged 360 in Alb. New Mexico. and maybe a show or two in Phx. AZ with the non winged 410's. the biggest plan i have is when i get out of college i plan to move to IN. and i want to have a ride when i get there, so if i bring a car that can compete that would be a good deal.

[motorhead748]

Originally Posted by dant Best advice....Spend a season as a crewmember helping an experianced team.racing a sprint car is to risky to go at it half cocked.Besides having some friends at the track to lean on when you do gear up and go racing never hurts.

+1 here. best advise I`ve seen