MICHIGAN MOTORSPORTS RACING ASSOCIATION
FAQ
How old do kids have to be to race Quarter Midgets?
Kids can start practicing as early as 4-1/2 years old, and racing at 5, and can race all the way to 16. The Junior race classes are for 5-8 year olds, and Senior race classes are for 9-16 year olds.
How safe is Quarter Midget Racing?
Safety is paramount in Quarter Midget racing. Mandatory safety equipment consists of five point safety belts, SFI rated neck collar and/or neck restraint, SFI rated driving suit or jacket and pants, SFI rated gloves, SFI rated helmet and SFI rated wrist restraints. Raceceivers, which are one-way radio communication devices, are also mandatory for all drivers. This allows the Race Director to communicate to the drivers to alert them of caution flags and other on track dangers. Every Raceceiver is checked for proper function each and every time the car takes the track. Additionally, all cars and driver race gear are subjected to an annual safety inspection at the beginning of each race season to make sure the car and driver race gear meets all USAC safety requirements. Additional information on safety equipment and requirements can be found on the USAC site:
Where is your Quarter Midget Race Track?
Our track is on the grounds of the Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club (OCSC):
4770 Waterford Rd, Clarkston, MI 48346 (www.ocsclub.org)
MMRA is considered a sub-club of the OCSC, and has been for over 50 years.
How big is the Quarter Midget Track at the Oakland County Sportsman Club?
Our track is approximately 1/20 of a mile, asphalt oval track, with inset concrete in the turns.
How fast do Quarter Midgets go?
This is a tricky question to answer since it depends on the car class, track conditions and driver skill level.
Rookies start out in the 20 MPH range, averaging 8 second lap times around our track.
Junior classes run in the 25-30 MPH range, averaging 6.5 – 7 second lap times.
Senior classes run in the 35 – 45+ MPH range, and average 5.7 – 6.5 second lap times.
When you take into consideration the size of the track, and fact that there can be up to ten cars on the track at a time during a race, this gives a much better perspective on the relative speed of the cars, and the skills drivers must hone to work their way through a field of cars on a tight track to be successful.
What if my child really wants to race Quarter Midgets, but I’m not sure I can meet the financial costs associated with Quarter Midget racing?
We have a Rookie Scholarship Program that you can apply for. We have a limited number of cars available for this program, so if you’re interested visit our "New Members" page to download and complete your scholarship application today.
How much does a car cost?
Used cars can be purchased in the $1500 to $2500 range, and up. Buying a brand new car can be considerably more expensive, with chassis kits (with no engine) starting at around $3500 and up. Those new to the sport are encouraged to start with a used car to keep their entry costs to the sport down.
Where can I find used cars and what should I look for in a used car?
Club members are happy to offer guidance on purchasing new and used equipment to get into the sport. Good places to look for used cars include the classified section of our website (MMRA Classifieds Link), the USAC Racing .25 Classifieds page (USAC Classifieds Link), and the QMA Classifieds Page (QMA Classifieds Link).