USAC Racing Forum

General Chat => Point .25 => Topic started by: Bandit on August 31, 2010, 08:01:40 PM



Title: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: Bandit on August 31, 2010, 08:01:40 PM
I attended a race this past weekend at a local track in Atlanta. I have a 5 year old son whom is wanting to race these type of cars. My question is, during tech there was a car that had what they called a jet about 4 turns loose and a few other things I heard that was wrong. How do I go about getting a set of rules so I can study them before I start out in what they told me was Jr. Rookie so I do not get into this situation and get suspended for 30 days right out of the box. I know a little about racing but the Honda engines I need to get more knowledge on. Can someone direct me to the rules? Is there a particular engine builder that someone could recommend and car?

Bandit Racing


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: sfreitas20 on August 31, 2010, 08:19:22 PM
You can find all the rules here: http://www.usacracing.com/quarter_midgets/garage_qm

Best of luck to you and let us know if you have any additional questions.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: sprintcar39 on September 01, 2010, 10:28:22 AM
Bandit Racing,   As far as a car goes I would talk to some of the members at your club and see what brand they are running, what is fast and who you feel will help you learn the setup for that car. There are a lot of good people out there that can and will mentor you. We really like the Stanley race cars as they have been very good to us and we find them easy to setup as we go from track to track.

Engines: I would also talk to people within your club. Buying a used engine from a club member that is retiring is a good start. Again talking to the right people can really help you here. There are many good engine builders within the sport. You should also look into and ask about the Briggs Animal platform. If you buy or are looking at a used engine it never hurts to have your local tech guy look it over for you. The tech guys are there to help you and to keep it fair. Most tech guys get no pleasure out of DQ'ing any child. If you are not sure about anything be sure to consult them. We use Baker Racing engines for our Honda and Briggs platforms and Shorty for our Deco engines.

Welcome to QM racing and make sure to enjoy the time with your child.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: Bandit on September 01, 2010, 07:53:17 PM
Thanks all for the information. Look forward to enjoying the time with my son and the rest of the families that race at MAQMA. What is the Animal engine and what age do you have to be to race it?

Bandit Racing


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: CrewChief6 on September 02, 2010, 10:50:58 AM
Briggs & Stratton Animal was introduced to USAC .25 this year. It gives drivers in the 5-8 age group to be able to race another class, and get more seat time. The kids love it since it's faster than the Junior Honda.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: sfreitas20 on September 02, 2010, 11:51:23 AM
Animal engines are purpose built racing engines from Briggs & Stratton.  They have been used in the Karting world for many years and are a stable and reliable engine platform.  There are two Animal classes in Quarter Midgets, Junior and Senior.  Like Lyra said Junior give kids 5 - 8 another great way to get seat time and the Senior class is for kids 9 until they age out of the sport.  If this season is any indication the two Animal classes will quickly become some of the most competitive classes in the sport.  Also like Lyra said the kids love driving them because they are quicker and faster than the Honda engines.

Nashville is only a 9 hour drive from Tampa...I wonder if a few of the Animal drivers from here could make one of the events still on the calendar up there this year...hmmmm.



Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: Bandit on September 02, 2010, 04:17:16 PM
Is there a Rookie class for the Animal? I do not see it in the rules I have been reading. I also heard there is another track nearby MAQMA, somewhere in Cumming, GA. Is this also a place that ya'll race at?

Bandit Racing


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: CrewChief6 on September 02, 2010, 04:19:44 PM
No. You'll have to graduate from Rookie to compete in Animal classes. Can't remember where, but I saw it being referred to as "Rookie Animal." but that's just Junior Animal.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: CrewChief6 on September 02, 2010, 04:20:47 PM
And there is a track in Cumming, Ga., but it's a QMA track, so it'll require a QMA membership separate from USAC to race there.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: Bandit on September 02, 2010, 04:34:56 PM
What is the difference in USAC and QMA? Are the rules the same? I do not want to have to know two different set of rules just to let my 5 year old race, maybe later, but not just starting out, but I do want to race and teach him that rules are made and we have to go by them or get in trouble like the other car did last weekend.

Bandit Racing


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: CrewChief6 on September 02, 2010, 04:41:06 PM
Racing is similar, with some differences. Usually nothing major. As a handler, you'll have to be more involved in judging in QMA. Tech rules can be different also (Thailand Honda motors are allowed in QMA, not USAC.)

Here's a previous thread you might be interested in.

http://www.usacracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,1867.0.html


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: Bandit on September 02, 2010, 05:01:34 PM
I read some of the articles. It appears that from what I read, it all boils down to which organization really puts it foot down and applies the rules, versus which one lets it members tell them what to do. I did like some of the articles about it is all about having fun, that is what we are looking for. I guess we will find the other club and see how they handle their race days and go from there. We look to start practicing in two weeks in hopes of going thru a training that someone said we would have to do before racing. I guess I need to find out if the other organization does the same before you race too. Plan on buying a used car next week.

Bandit Racing


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: CrewChief6 on September 02, 2010, 05:05:38 PM
Exciting. Good luck. We're a member of both USAC and QMA in Florida. Love them both. Just pay attention to the rule differences, and no problem.

You should talk to Mark Roland up there. His son Will runs mostly Cumming, but he also races USAC events. He'd be a perfect person to give you insight on both.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: sfreitas20 on September 02, 2010, 09:38:20 PM
The Metro Atlanta club is located in Braselton, GA and they are a USAC track.  The track in Cumming is currently affiliated with QMA, but they took a long hard look at USAC last year, so before you join QMA just to race there you might want to reach out to Mark Mackie over there about it since he is the Novice director.  If they are considering it again this year, it would be a shame to see you spend the money and then they switch and you don't have another QMA track around, except for Huntsville.

According to the rulebook, you can run the rookie class with an Animal.  I am sure they allow it because it would be a waste of money to purchase a Honda for only a few races as a Rookie.

The rules are pretty close at this point, but I am sure as time goes by the rulebooks will be getting further and further apart.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: lawsonracing on September 09, 2010, 02:14:06 PM
Bandit
E mail me or send me a  message. My son races Jr Honda at MAQMA, and we have ran at Cumming. I would be glad to help you , etc and also what to look at when looking for a car.



Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: odogracing on September 13, 2010, 08:20:23 AM
Give me a call.  I'm the Training Director for MAQMA.  I would be happy to help you and answer any questions you may have.  I can also explain the training program that needs to be completed prior to racing.  706-372-4480 or tim.o'donnell@cox.com


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: Swartz on September 13, 2010, 11:09:33 AM
Back to the original questions. The rule book says....

12. Illegal Rookie engine parts shall be confiscated (Honda) but the suspension shall
not be levied against handlers or drivers for the first offense. The second offense
shall result in a 30 days Suspension from Rookie.

and.....

1. Rookie Classes:
Honda GX120 and Animal motors as specified in technical manual
Honda timing max is 20 deg. (with key or flywheel)
Briggs Animal Long slide (#555728) must be used - .310
max. throttle travel


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: lawsonracing on September 13, 2010, 09:36:14 PM
This was not Rookie, it was Jr Honda. Driver recieved a DQ and carb sent to USAC. According to rules it should be a 30 day suspension for all USAC races.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: RBurns17 on September 14, 2010, 07:11:39 AM
This was not Rookie, it was Jr Honda. Driver recieved a DQ and carb sent to USAC. According to rules it should be a 30 day suspension for all USAC races.

In that particular class.....


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: Bandit on September 14, 2010, 01:49:56 PM
Yes, it was a JR. Honda and not what you call a JR. Rookie. I am looking to put my son in JR. Rookie or JR. Novice depending on what organization we choose to go with.

Thanks,


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: Swartz on September 14, 2010, 01:59:02 PM
Use a Honda and do both. There is NO substitute for seat time.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: Bandit on September 20, 2010, 01:55:09 PM
Watching the live stream this weekend from Columbus, there seem to be a great number of JR. Rookies. I like the idea of coming into an organization where I know I am going to travel and not be the only car to race. That was awesome to watch. On the other hand, can someone advise me on what kind of set-up that is recommended to a first timer. At the MAQMA track there was this team or what ever you call them with this big rig and trailer, way out of my budget. I think some kid name Chandler was written on the cars that was parked beside it and another one on the hill. I know I can not afford this set-up but what is a good starter kit. Thanks for all the help. I will be getting with the trainer as soon as I get set up so we can practice and get the proper training to start racing next year.

Bandit Racing


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: sfreitas20 on September 20, 2010, 02:12:31 PM
The awesome part about this sport is you can have a Haulmark with a stacker trailer with all the polished diamond plate trimmings or you can roll in with a 12' trailer with tire racks made out of scrap wood and as long as you put in the time on the car your kid can be competitive.

It isn't what you haul your car in that matters!

Here is a link to an older, but still pretty good Novice Guide: http://www.alqma.com/novicehandbook%5B1%5D.pdf



Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: miketsmith on September 21, 2010, 06:41:08 PM
He is right, it isn't what hauls your car, it is how fast your car and driver runs. We can get this kind of equipment because we have sponsors. I have a nice 3500 2008 Chevrolet dually with only 16,000 miles loaded and a 2008 pace trailer painted just like the truck well set up for racing for $60,000.00 if you want to buy it. With your kid keep the fun in it because believe me, it will not take long before you get caught up in the wanting to win all the time and the fun is gone.

Thanks,
Mike Smith


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: GAQMRacers on September 24, 2010, 10:22:05 PM
AGREED.....stay in Rookie as long as you can or want to..........it was by far the most fun we had!!!!


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: lawsonracing on September 26, 2010, 12:40:43 PM
I agree, keep in rookie class for a year, we stayed in rookie, or was called JR Novice for a year in a half. I am seeing too many move up to Jr Honda too soon, get the seat time in.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: odogracing on September 26, 2010, 04:31:04 PM
So this is a discussion that could be debated for quite some time.  The rule states if your driver is 6 years of age they have 3 races or 3 months to move up out of Jr. Rookie.  If your driver remains 5 years of age during the season they can remain in Jr. Rookie all as long as you like.  There are several issues with the way these two classes are structured.   First, with kids that age; 2 years makes a HUGE difference between his or her ability to make decisions on the race track.  Be it reacting to a car spinning in-front of them, or simply understanding the driving line.  Second, there is a huge difference between a red plate car and blue plate car!  When running with a red plate you can just about put the rear wheels on the front and front wheels on the back, and it will not make a difference.  These cars just don't carry enough speed.  Not till you get into a blue plate does this start to matter.  You can't run half way down the on straight and expect the car to turn in the corner.   We ran Jr. Rookie all last year because my son was 5 years old, I was determined not to move him up too quickly for the fear he was not ready.  He did quite well in Jr. Rookie, but it was a half a year too long!  He turned 6 this past April and we moved up to Junior Honda, but since he was in Jr. Rookie for so long he now struggles with understanding how critical "the line" really is.  So, we are now working to try and break these bad habits that didn't make a bit of difference in Jr Rookie.  The good side, is he stays out of trouble most of the time, and my wallet doesn't mind that!  If your driver can compete in Jr. Honda safely get him out of Rookie as soon as possible.  It's not helping him or her to stay down there the entire year, it's only going to make the transition up more difficult.  Chances are they will be ready before you are.  They are only going to learn as much as the drivers around them.  This is just my 2 cents, and what I have experienced.  Every situation is different, and you know and your driver.  Do what YOU feel is best for them!!!!


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: sfreitas20 on September 26, 2010, 06:35:14 PM
I gotta agree with that...I have said it before on here that we left AJ in Rookie too long.  If I had it to do over again, we would have moved around April of last year instead of August and we had a great rookie class with 6 or more cars every week.  He still learned more in his first two Jr Honda races than 4 additional months of rookie.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: lawsonracing on September 26, 2010, 09:00:29 PM
after looking back, i think we may have stayed in Jr Novice too long also. I know if we moved out of Jr Novice we would have gotten our butts kicked, but we would have been ahead of the curve. We only stayed longer due to his birthday being mid year


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: Bandit on September 30, 2010, 01:56:35 PM
Watching the Dirt Nationals on live stream this past weekend, is there a track in the south that is dirt? I doubt we would run it but would go and watch. I think when we start next season we will run a full year in Rookie because my son will not be 6 until the fall of next year. I do not think being 5 he will be quite ready to get in there and run with the older boys and girls I watched this year. Thanks for all the response and answers. I will see the folks at MAQMA in a few weeks to watch again.

Bandit Racing


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: Swartz on September 30, 2010, 02:10:38 PM
Don't over do the Rookie / Novice too much. A lot of good parts get destroyed there and once the kids understand what they need to do there is nothing to learn there but bad habits. I once had a conversation with a lady who kept her kid in novice for 6 years (totaly against the rules) because she was afraid he would get hurt and then freaked out when she all of a sudden wanted him to run 160 and no one wanted to let him. My son ran 12 events in novice before going to Jr. Honda and was fine. Please remember though, this is racing. Sometimes stuff just happens.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: sfreitas20 on September 30, 2010, 02:12:41 PM
There isn't a dirt track in the south...yet. :)


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: goffin20 on October 07, 2010, 12:37:57 PM
I remember a kid and his dad that showed up to the tracks with an old Nervo 1900 in the back of a pickup truck and they kicked some butt every week.

The awesome part about this sport is you can have a Haulmark with a stacker trailer with all the polished diamond plate trimmings or you can roll in with a 12' trailer with tire racks made out of scrap wood and as long as you put in the time on the car your kid can be competitive.

It isn't what you haul your car in that matters!

Here is a link to an older, but still pretty good Novice Guide: http://www.alqma.com/novicehandbook%5B1%5D.pdf




Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: skarnes on October 14, 2010, 10:48:15 AM
If you are new to this sport and you are running the rookie class then there is no better time than next month at the first indoor race,Even though we only ran 6 rookie races and moved up to senior honda,We would have never been able to do as well as we have without attending the classes at the indoors.Jack Compton did very well with these kids and I'm sure Rick Newcome will do the same.
Steve


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: miketsmith on November 02, 2010, 02:29:07 PM
Keep the fun in it for your Rookie. Talk to him calmly and please do not yell at him like some that I have seen do.


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: Karnes29 on November 03, 2010, 01:49:00 PM
I will take the blame on that one, I was really hard on my boy the first day out and through his first year in sr honda, I felt like I had to catch him up to all the other kids because we started so late and it seemed at times he couldn't do anything right on the track in my eyes. After listening to a few parents that's been in this sport for a while and my wife who threatened to sell everything and get out, That he is a kid and a beginner and seat time and encouragement would help out more than anything.I think by seasons end we ended up doing pretty good in my eyes!
Steve


Title: Re: Possible New Member to USAC
Post by: lawsonracing on November 03, 2010, 03:05:31 PM
I myself had to re program myself the last few months. I decided to work on learning and driving skills and not being upset at  things... its actually working, he is now driving the best he has ever driven and right with drivers that use to lap him. A few races ago he pinched a corner spinning and I pulled him in the pits. He thought I was going to get mad at him, but I just wanted to make sure his head was clear and I told him " do not worry,  things happen, you have plenty of laps left, do the best you can do " calmly. He was surprised and went out and drove back to 3rd. Its only taken me 2 years to figure out no pressure and he does much better. I tell him now race days are fun days..  and he is really having fun now