Introduction to Quarter Midget Racing

The Cars are essentially 1/4-scale Midget race cars.  Unlike Go-Karts, quarter midgets feature full four wheel independent suspension and full roll cages.  Seat belts and shoulder harnesses are mandatory.  Power comes from roughly a 120 to 160cc engine, whose specifications are closely set by the national governing board and enforced at each local club race by officials.  The tracks are 1/20 mile ovals on dirt or paved surfaces.

The Benefits are virtually immeasurable:

• It's a family sport- all races are staffed and run by family volunteers from local tracks.

• Drivers develop physical skills such as coordination, timing, alertness and basic mechanical theory.

• Internal strength is developed through sportsmanship, accomplishment, self-reliance, and recognition.

• It's just plain fun!

Where?  Since it's start in the 1930's in the Los Angeles area, Quarter Midget racing is now held in virtually all 50 States.  There are several tracks in the Northern California region where various series races are hosted.

When?   Depending on what part of the country you find yourself in and what type of track surfaces are available, there is quarter midget racing going on somewhere 12 months out of the year!  Most races are held on weekends, with the annual "Grands" championship races taking place over three different weeks each summer; one for the East, one for the West, and one for the Dirt championship!

How much?   Many second-hand cars in good condition can be found and are perfect for starter cars.  The cost can run from $1,500 for an older used car, to nearly $5,000 for a brand new car set up for the upper, faster classes.  Stock motors range in price from below $500 to well over $3,000 for a motor that has a reputation for winning at the national level events.  Local clubs can often put a smart shopper in touch with a member offering a package deal of a used car, motor and spare parts.

How do I get my child involved?   In the northern Sacramento area, we invite you to get involved with CAPITOL QUARTER MIDGET ASSOCIATION.  Although the youngest age a child can start racing is 5, they can begin the Capitol training program as young as 4 1/2 years old!

Training typically consists of 3 to 4 Tuesday evening training sessions (or more if the trainer determines more sessions are needed to grasp the basics).  Safety equipment will be provided during your child's time behind the wheel of the club's training car.  The training car is a specially modified quarter midget that gives partial control of the vehicle to an experienced adult trainer that rides on the back of the car.  The trainer takes each child out on the track for several laps in the trainer car, providing one-on-one instruction to that child during their time on the track.  Once all the attending trainees have cycled through their time behind the wheel of the trainer car, the trainer may assemble the trainees together on the grass for group instruction regarding flags, lineups, safety, etc ... or he may elect to cycle through another series of training car rides for each child.  Training car runs on the track are normally intermixed with novices that bring their own cars to training night.  

All training participants must have a legal guardian present during the session and are required to sign a liability waiver.  For those families that have their own cars, all normal track safety rules, procedures and safety equipment requirements apply.  Currently, training is free to families seriously considering further participation in the sport, but the club reserves the right to impose a fee if training car rides become excessive or abused.

New novice drivers are taught how to pass, the meaning of the flags and the flagman's signals, how to line up to begin or restart a race, and what to do in common emergency situations.  The last sessions often include the other new or experienced drivers, practicing together in their own cars what they have learned before entering a racing situation.

Although the student is taught these racing basics, the real focus of the training is SAFETY, and is not intended to produce a seasoned race car driver.  This will come from their first season on the track in the Novice class, racing in their own car against other relatively new drivers within their age group.

Drivers remain in the Novice class about one racing season, or until their parents and the Novice Committee determine that they are ready to progress into a competitive racing class, based on age and motor type of their car.

If your son or daughter thinks this sounds like fun, take a moment and contact our trainer:

trainer@capitolqma.com

 View the QMA Judging Video On-line

Training Night 

Training sessions are held on Tuesday evenings 6-8pm (except the first Tuesday of the month when we have our club meetings instead).  Training may be canceled depending on weather and track conditions.  Training may be cancelled if the temperature is 100F or above.  (Contact the trainer to verify).

Thanks for your interest in Capitol Quarter Midgets!

Meet Rick.  Rick has been a CQMA member for 5 years and is one of our 

2008 Novice Trainers.  

Meet Russ.  Russ has been a CQMA member for 5 years and is one of our 

2008 Novice Trainers.  

Copyright 2008 © Capitol Quarter Midget Association, all rights reserved.