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Topeka Quarter Midget Association
Real Racing For Kids!
Real Racing For Kids!
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Costs Involved:
Compared to other sports for kids, quarter midget racing can appear to be a very expensive
sport. What most people do not take into consideration when comparing costs for different
activities are other cost associated with those other sports. Sport camps, travel teams,
tournaments, special instructions, the latest and greatest shoes and gloves can add up at the
end of the season. Once in perspective, quarter midget racing becomes somewhat affordable.
Quarter Midget racing has a vast array of costs involved. There are basically four areas that
you MUST spend money on; the car, parts, registration/pit fees and safety equipment. Any
costs outside of this area are for your convenience to make life in racing easier for you.
Car:
This will be one of the most expensive and important purchases you will make. Cars range
from $1,500 for an average starter car to $5,000 for a new car. Many members of your local
club will have cars for sale during the year. As kids grow they grow out of their current car
and must move up in size. Ask around the local club first to try to find a car. When you buy
locally you can get references on the car from other members and even see the car running
in a race. You also get the local advice from the owner. A former owner of a car usually
wants to see his/her car perform well for others as well. Most used cars sold to Novices will
come with motors. This is a $400 value. When you are ready to buy a car it is best to have a
club member go with you to look at the car and do not buy the first car you see. Check
around, take some time and choose the right car for your child and you.
Helmet:
Again a very important piece of equipment. All novice racers are required to have a full-face
helmet that has a Snell rating of SA2000 or better. Most people will agree that helmets
should not be purchased used since you do not know if it has been involved in an accident or
misused, dropped or modified. Prices for Snell SA2000 helmets start at $240 and up.
Other Items Needed to Race:
Gloves, arm restraints and a good two-layered jacket. You can consult with your novice
director as the specifications of these items. Gloves start at $40, arm restraints $25 and well
fitting jackets at $50.
Once you have the essentials, items such as tools, tires, spare parts (you will break things)
can very in price depending how many you want and how much you can lug around.
Annual Costs and Weekly Fees:
Yearly fees for families in the Topeka Kansas Quarter Midget run $150.00 per year. This fee
covers all members in your family that want to race. Weekly entry fees (pit fees) are $10 per
driver for each class you want to race that day.
The Bottom Line:
Realistically, a one-race car family can expect to spend between $1,800 and $2,800 to get
started and race the first year of novice racing. As with most activities the sky is the limit as
far as how much you want or have to spend. The most important price in all of this is the
value gained from spending time with your driver. Rarely is there a sport where the actions of
the parent or handler are just as important as the actions of the driver. Both the handler and
driver learn to communicate with each other to build a successful team. This takes time. Time
spent together. Isn’t that what it is all about?
Compared to other sports for kids, quarter midget racing can appear to be a very expensive
sport. What most people do not take into consideration when comparing costs for different
activities are other cost associated with those other sports. Sport camps, travel teams,
tournaments, special instructions, the latest and greatest shoes and gloves can add up at the
end of the season. Once in perspective, quarter midget racing becomes somewhat affordable.
Quarter Midget racing has a vast array of costs involved. There are basically four areas that
you MUST spend money on; the car, parts, registration/pit fees and safety equipment. Any
costs outside of this area are for your convenience to make life in racing easier for you.
Car:
This will be one of the most expensive and important purchases you will make. Cars range
from $1,500 for an average starter car to $5,000 for a new car. Many members of your local
club will have cars for sale during the year. As kids grow they grow out of their current car
and must move up in size. Ask around the local club first to try to find a car. When you buy
locally you can get references on the car from other members and even see the car running
in a race. You also get the local advice from the owner. A former owner of a car usually
wants to see his/her car perform well for others as well. Most used cars sold to Novices will
come with motors. This is a $400 value. When you are ready to buy a car it is best to have a
club member go with you to look at the car and do not buy the first car you see. Check
around, take some time and choose the right car for your child and you.
Helmet:
Again a very important piece of equipment. All novice racers are required to have a full-face
helmet that has a Snell rating of SA2000 or better. Most people will agree that helmets
should not be purchased used since you do not know if it has been involved in an accident or
misused, dropped or modified. Prices for Snell SA2000 helmets start at $240 and up.
Other Items Needed to Race:
Gloves, arm restraints and a good two-layered jacket. You can consult with your novice
director as the specifications of these items. Gloves start at $40, arm restraints $25 and well
fitting jackets at $50.
Once you have the essentials, items such as tools, tires, spare parts (you will break things)
can very in price depending how many you want and how much you can lug around.
Annual Costs and Weekly Fees:
Yearly fees for families in the Topeka Kansas Quarter Midget run $150.00 per year. This fee
covers all members in your family that want to race. Weekly entry fees (pit fees) are $10 per
driver for each class you want to race that day.
The Bottom Line:
Realistically, a one-race car family can expect to spend between $1,800 and $2,800 to get
started and race the first year of novice racing. As with most activities the sky is the limit as
far as how much you want or have to spend. The most important price in all of this is the
value gained from spending time with your driver. Rarely is there a sport where the actions of
the parent or handler are just as important as the actions of the driver. Both the handler and
driver learn to communicate with each other to build a successful team. This takes time. Time
spent together. Isn’t that what it is all about?
| 1121 SW University Blvd. Topeka, KS 66619 |
