Quarter Midget racing

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. [http://www.quartermidgets.com/general/intro.html Introduction to Quarter Midget Racing] , Retrieved January 3 2007] [http://www.tribstar.com/autoracing/local_story_260001414.html] 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]

The drivers are typically restricted to age 5 to 16. Tracks are typically banked ovals one-twentieth of a mile long, and have a surface of dirt, concrete, or asphalt.

tatistics

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 4,000 drivers in the United States in 2007. [http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061229/NEWS01/612290331/1006/news01] Jessica Raynor, "Quarter-midget racers rev up", December 29 2006, Florida Today, Retrieved January 4 2007] In the United States, an engine can cost from $400 to $9,000, the car chassis from $1,500 for a used up to $6,000 for a new chassis. Tires start at $50. There are many brands of cars as well as custom cars made by individuals. Some of the common brands are Storm Chasis, Stanley Racing, N/C chassis (Nervo/Coggin), Bullrider Racecars, and Tad Fiser Race Cars. Other brands include Hawk Chassis, Rice Cars, GT American Race Cars, A&J Racing, and Profab. Cars are protected by body panels which are made of fiberglass, plastic, sheetmetal, or more rarely, carbon fiber.

The oldest continually run dirt quarter midget track is THQMA (Terre Haute Quarter Midget Association) located in Terre Haute, Indiana running continually for 51 years. It hosted the Dirt Grand Nationals in 2000, 2003, and 2005 and is scheduled to host then in August 2009.

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 engine

*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 normally under 110 lb but can still race if over 110 lb
*Heavy Classes - Drivers over 110 lb

Half Midgets

*Half Class - Any single cylinder, air cooled, carburated engine up to 250 cc, Drivers age 11 to 18.

References

External links

* [http://www.daltongrindle.com Quarter/Half Midget Driver- Dalton Grindle #23]
* [http://www.quartermidgets.org Quarter Midgets of America website]
* [http://www.quartermidget.com.au/ Western Australian Quarter Midget Association]
* [http://www.mitchellfamilyracing.com Racing Website with some history of QMA - Mitchell Family Racing, Featuring Angelique Mitchell ]
* [http://www.NCQMA.com North Carolina Quarter Midget Association]
* [http://www.dempsterracing.com Quarter Midget Driver - Jake Dempster]
* [http://www.gsqmrc.org track in wall nj
* [http://www.ngqma.com North Georgia Quarter Midget Association]