Small circle track?

Has GRM ever done or ever considered doing an article on the basics of small circle track racing?

It seems like the cheapest way to go wheel-to-wheel, and there seems to be more venues than there is autocross.

Other than that, though, I know very little about it.

Is it as cheap as it's Bud Light image would have me think? (no offense intended by that) Is this something you can do by yourself, or do you really need a team?

Just curious about it, and this seemed the best place to start.

That would be great to get more info. There's a paved oval track not too far from me. It's a 1/4 mile "high bank". My wife and I go there sometimes to watch. They used to have what appeared to be a pretty basic 4 cyl class. Lots of old Escorts, etc... It looked fairly inexpensive. I used to see some of the cars selling in that class for $500-$750. But is it really that simple? Like the Rev said, can you do it alone? Everyone I saw there had a crew with them.

I've moved that direction myself. Not that I'm doing much now other than collecting cheap parts...but I posted about the thoughts of "accessible racing" (which for me is dirt track) here: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/thats-itim-just-going-to-have-to-go-dirt-track-racing-again/24885/page1/

I've got a chassis and some select parts and cores and such. Who knows when I'll get around to putting the pile together and go racing.

Clem

Along these lines, is their any licensing of drivers like in SCCA or NASA?

It can certainly be done alone if you have a well prepped car and don't need any pit work (ideally you wouldn't need a pit stop anyway).

I, on the other hand, didn't have a well prepped car and it wore me out. Just loading/unloading the car/trailer and spares and stuff is a workout, sometimes.

Generally, just like other forms of racing, folks in the pits are freindly and will help as needed.

Clem

ReverendDexter wrote: Along these lines, is their any licensing of drivers like in SCCA or NASA?

Licensing...yes. like SCCA or NASA...no.

Ya pays yer money and ya gets yer liscence (IF the track sanctioning even requires it). It's really more of a "membership"...but whatever.

So, how are guys that want to go out and play bumper-cars handled? Is that all part of the "fun", or is there some line on excessive contact?

ReverendDexter wrote: So, how are guys that want to go out and play bumper-cars handled? Is that all part of the "fun", or is there some line on excessive contact?

There are contact rules at most tracks but what's accepted is at the discression of track officials. Some tracks are pretty strict, others it's just word-play.

Those cheaper series seem to mostly have a claim rule in effect to police the cars. I think it would be a blast to do. I second the motion for a GRM article on this topic.

I got into an entry level class about 15 years ago. They called it "Pure Stocks" and the rules were pretty much: 4 point cage, Remove Glass, bolt/weld/chain doors shut, remove interior flamable bits, put a tank in the trunk (evinrude brand, in my case) and that was pretty much it. I hit the track in a car iwth a velour bench seat and a functional horn!

First night out, I crashed it TWICE...out of newbness and ignorance (driving off the end of my hood...not a quarter lap ahead).

I think the amount of bumping and rubbing is directly proportional to the level of class you're in.

I only did 4 or 5 races back those years ago. Since then my experience level in this sort of thing (not through circle track racing but through loosely organized field "racing" in junk cars). I can say now that I would be able to avoid heavy contact in most circumstances just through smarter driving. Basically, you can drive around the guys who just want to play bumper cars...at least that will be my plan when I get back into the circle track thing again. Ask me how that works out...

Clem

I grew up around oval tracks, and did it for a while myself.

It can be very inexpensive, and a lot of fun. There are a lot of car guys that dismiss it, but unless you've tried it, you can't understand how difficult challenging and fun it can be. I started out in mini stock, and did well enough to actually make money for a few years. I built the car myself for $500 (I did things like rummage through tire piles at garages for free tires) and the track had a good payout of $125-$250 for a feature win . The big difference, and one of the things that keeps me away from other types of racing is cost. in circle track, they pay you to race, and I have never had to buy a license. Generally, you pay your weekly admission, usually about $20, and if you make the feature, but finish out of the money, you get your $20 back. Safety rules are typically fair and reasonable. Basic safety gear is required to run in the lower classes, and it's rare that people get hurt. I prefer dirt, but paved track is a lot easier for a beginner. I suggest that you go out to some tracks, hang around the pits, and talk to some of the racers. The guys with cars to sell will be more than happy to talk to you

If you have any questions, fire away!

around here we've got both dirt and asphalt...

the one closest is a 1/4 mile dirt... costs $10 for a car to enter and $25 per person to get into the pits...

they have a starter class... 14 y/o and older to drive, cars are 4cyl stock, remove the glass/inteior... add cage and a go racing... i've seen track prepped cars WITH a tow dolly for under $1000...

would be a fun and very cheap way to get into racing :)

In this case it is definitely worth some research by going to the track. You can buy a pit pass and cruise the pits all night looking at stuff and talking to people. Most tracks around here open the pits to everybody when the racing is done (IE, you only need a grandstand ticket).

Like I said, a lot of the folks are really friendly and they want more folks racing along side them...especially in the "lower" classes. So they'll help you out, let you know what to expect, probably know of cars for sale, etc.

Make some friends and spend a few nights crewing for them (which could range anywhere from simply drinking beer with them to actually adjusting pressures and checking nuts'n'bolts.). You really can't go wrong just looking into it.

Clem

A lot of circle tracks will pull the ticket staff by the time the features have started. When we had a track locally, my dad and I would go just to watch the features, and walk in for nothing After the nights racing, the gates open, and you can walk the track, and wander through the pits. The first time you walk around a circle track, it won't look like you thought it would.

ReverendDexter wrote: Along these lines, is their any licensing of drivers like in SCCA or NASA?

Depends on the sanction. At the local 1/2 mile NASCAR sanction track I went to the tower, print your name, sign your name and $75 later you is a NASCAR driver. No school, no test, no insurance, no nuttin' but read the track rules. Nobody teched gear like SCCA. I was a little disillusioned over that but it was still a blast.

OP might wanna crew for a team or two in the class he intends to run to learn the setup and any tricks in the class, shortens the learning curve. Towards end of season/points teams may rent cars out particularly if they wanna sell, ask around. If your track has any midweek practice do it... it's a blast plus you meet your competition and they give you tips.

IMO 3-4 in crew is min. Be surprised how much last minute stuff happens, extra hands are good. Good luck.

Did some 1/4 mile dirt stuff long, long time ago. For an 18 year old it was much more fun than Auto-X or Drag racing.

Probably the only form of racing left where you can run a "GRM style" effort and actually win some money if you are any good at it.