How To Get Started

Relax. Don't Worry, Be Happy.

The following FAQ's will shed some light on the commitment required to participate in the sport.

Q: What are the steps I should take to find out if we want to start a race team?
A: Here are my suggestions.
1. Come watch a race. While at the race track, walk around in the trailer area and go up to any race team and let them know you are checking out the sport. They will give you a brief overview of the cars and tools needed to support a team. They will also point you in the direction of the Training Director, who you need to talk to about doing the Ride-Before-You-Race program. You can also watch quarter midget racing on Youtube, click here.
2. Do the Ride-Before-You-Race. This will give your kid the opportunity to drive a real quarter midget racecar in a controlled and totally safe environment. All he/she does is steer the car (no gas, no brakes). This step will show you if your kid likes to be in all the safety equipment, and likes to drive the car. Most kids love it, a few do not.
3. Now you have to decide to jump in and do it, or not. Jumping in means commiting to the sport and joining the NGQMA club, buying the necessary safety equipment for your kid, and acquiring a car to drive.

Q: Where do I get a starter quarter midget car?
A: Most people buy a used car when getting started, to minimize the cost. Sometimes there are starter racecars available to rent. The best place to find a used car is in the classified section of this website. The cost of a used car is generally related to it's age... the older the car, the cheaper it is.

There are some good quarter midget cars available for rent from current and past club members. Renting a quarter midget car is a good way to experience the sport without the higher up-front cost of buying a car. Sometimes a portion of the rental cost can be applied to the purchase of the car.

There are a number of quarter midget car builders to choose from, here are some links:
Lightning Chassis
BullRider RaceCars
GT American Race Cars
NC Chassis Company (Nervo)
Prowler RaceCars
Robbie Stanley Racing
Talon Chassis

Q: How much does it cost to get started?
A: An entry level budget to buy all the equipment you need, including a used car, trailer, and safety gear, is $3000-$4000. Also, club dues is $225 per year. If you rent a car, then that cost is reduced, or postponed until later. Many racers who have decided to get out of the sport often sell all their equipment as a package deal.

Q: What are the ongoing costs?
A: Tires are the only predictable consumable, which cost around $100 for a set of right side tires. For the junior novice driver, a set of right side tires can last all season. Of course a crash on the track can cause some damage, and repairs can cost as little as $14 for replacement radius rods, to over $200 for a whole new front axle, spindle, and rods.

Q: Do I need a big fancy trailer?
A: No. The big fancy trailers you may have seen at the track are typically operated by racing veterans who support several cars and drivers. Some race teams operate out of the back of a pickup truck. Some teams use open flatbed trailers, others use enclosed trailers, which are really mobile garages.

Q: Where do I get parts?
A: Most of the parts you will need are available trackside from Bill Thomas Motorsports. For other parts, you can generally get them from the chassis builders, or other online part sources.

Q: Who do I call if I have more questions?
A: You can call me, Mark Mackie, Training Director, at 678-523-5833, or email me at markmackie@rocketmail.com.