In reference to the local bullrings a few observations from personal experience...I dabbled in driving in various classes: mini-stocks, IMCA modifieds, Legends (on asphalt) and a full tube late model running on alcohol (all others on dirt). While all were a lot of fun, its a whole different ballgame from road racing in SCCA/NASA/PCA/BMWCCA.
Even with engine claiming rules/spec tires/spec classes, it is still a very expensive proposition. Remember the old adage "How fast you want to spend?" Your tear up a LOT of stuff banging in the bullrings...especially on dirt...in IMCA we went thru 2-4 tires a weekend either thru wear or cuts...in late model expect even bigger tire bills. Have plenty of rims, ball joints, shocks...expect to lose a few of each every month or so. Dirt regularly chews up U-joints, whell bearings and shocks not to mention engine internals.
As far as prize money...the guys that win $1000 features are running engines that cost upwards of $30K...$5K trannies...$4K rear ends...$700 shock at each corner...all which have to be freshened every 6-8 weekends. Say you finish consisitently at 5th place or so...pays maybe $300 or so.
Well, you get the picture. The thing that suprised me the most was there are a lot of talented, hungry guys at the local level. Plus the sophistication of the cars, even in the lesser classes, is amazing. Set up is key: remember in road racing we generally set the car up balanced on each end; i.e., right to left is the same. In an oval car every corner is different...weights, tire size, wheel offset, shocks, springs, ride height, etc.
For me the most enjoyable racing were the Legends on a 3/16th asphalt oval. Really a hoot and "relatively" inexpensive. But not exactly the path to fame and fortune in motorsports.
Finally...as far as progressing to a series like ARCA, Hooters etc...there was a reality series on CMT called "Driven" abvout young guns trying make it in the lower echelons of asphalt ovals with a hope to make it to the show. Try to catch it when it reumes next year. rMoney was the key no matter how good the were...every team was looking not at the driving talent as much as what $$$$ each could bring. One guy decided to start his own team and leverage every thing he and his parents owned to borrow $800,000 to fund ONE season of Hooters cup.
Beyond that I say "Go for your dreams."
[This message has been edited by grayracer (edited August 26, 2004).]
[This message has been edited by grayracer (edited August 26, 2004).]
