Wanting to get into dirt track

L

Lone Wolf

New Member
Hello all,

I have been drag racing for years now and have decided to go on to dirt track.
I was wondering if anyone here could point me in the direction I need to go.
I have thought about doing the Street Stock class but also thought about Bmod class as well.
Any advise would be helpfull and pointers on where to go for help on building a car.
I have built drag cars but this would be a new ball game to me.
Thanks to all that help.

Lone Wolf
 
i believe the best thing you can do is pit crew for someone in the class you want to race in. that way, you learn how to set up the car for changing conditions. you learn the competitors, and get a better 'feel' for this type of sport before you plunk down big bucks. the more information you have, the better your choices. alot of people will 'rent' you a car on a nightly basis, so for relatively few $, you actually get to race. just a few ideas to think about. keep us informed on your direction.
 
start in a b-mod or street stock class either one,ask as many questions as you can and pay attention..dont go out your first race and expect to run up front you'll just end up tearing your stuff and others up...good chassis will get you along way,dont half a** anything,do it all right and youll have better sucess..i think out of all the years i have ran that this season i have the stuff to go anywhere and be competative,so just be patient and dont expect too much..your in for a big change..my oldest brother was a drag racer up until this year we put him a late model together and he is still gettin used to it(only ran it 4 times)what my old man told him to do was run at the back until you think you are ready to get up amongst them then get up there and start racing...good luck and welcome!!!
 
I think both of these guys offer great advice. From someone who just moved up to bombers from 4 cylinders this year, I would say be prepared to tear stuff up while your learning, so maybe the cheapest alternative to start off with may be best. Look at it this way, you wont have the necessary experience to really get the most out of the high dollar parts when you first start, so why spend all that money to tear it up? Be as cost effective as you can when you start, and save your dough for when you know how to make all that neat trick stuff work for you.

Other than that, have fun. The pit crew idea is a great one, I think. Thats what I did, and I cant thank the guy enough for all he taught me about dirt racing.
 
I would recomend Streetstock simply because of fewer cars at most tracks and because they have fenders and bigger bumpers.
I have a Streetstock less Motor for sale. My wife Kim ran at Montgomery County Speedway the past 2 seasons with it and finished 4th in points this year. She is moving up to Latemodel and Compete against Me next year.
I'd give as much Advise as I can, I wouldn't want a chassis of mine to look bad. We have raced since '91 in classes from Enduros to Super Latemodels. Even Drag raced Friday nights then Saturday went Dirttrackin.
If interested or just questions Email westling@midamerica.net
 
Sell all your Drag racing stuff take the money and buy some property...anywhere. You know they quit making dirt so you can get a good return on your investment :D But since you're already addicted to some form of racing I'll agree with the pit crew for a year, then see what you think. We can show you around a late model if you're interested. We don't have enough sense to stay away either.
 
Thanks to all that have replied. The help has been great, A few of you I will be getting in touch with for more advice as long as you dont mind lol.
Sounds like I will enter the world of street stock and go from there.........
Again thanks to all.

Lone Wolf
 
get ahold of me anytime be more than happy to help you..i got to thinkin more about this and thought id give you a few more pointers...first of all i dont know how old you are,i am 26 years old..i was in your shoes when i started at 15 and grew up around all this..one thing to do is always listen to the old wise men,they will get you along ways and can teach you better then any book or setup shop..also be prepared to catch hell from these guys when you start on the competative level..i dont get much help anymore,when i got to that point they cut me off..lol..one big word of advice,always give 110% back to the fans and the sport..dont get a big head and think you are better than anyone and cannot be beat,cause there is always faster and you dont want that attitude,it will only hurt you in the end......and last all i can say is dont give up..there will be points where you will just feel like quiting,in racing sh** happens,thats part of it,just pickup work 110% and come back and try it next week.last but not least have fun...good luck!
 
I occasionally build sportsman or streetstock cars, get a good deal on tubing, and never charge anything for information. I am in the phone book for Farmignton MO.
 
Ok I guess the next big question is what tpye of car should i be looking to get?
Monte Carlo, Buick Regal, Olds Cutless?
I know that these car are used alot but is there other cars out there that you can use?
The track that I will be running is Montgomery county in New Florance, Thats the closest one to me, I think there rules are 104" wheel base.
Any tips?

Lone Wolf
 
The Class Montgomery Calls Streetstocks, Are Called Sportsman At Most Other Tracks. More Motor, Hossier Dirt Tires, Ect..... If You Are Looking For A True Streetstock Class This Isn't It. Godfrey,Tri-City, Belleville, And Highland Run Legitimate Streetstocks.

Nevertheless, If I Were You I'd Look Into Buying A Good Used One. It's Early Yet, There Are Usually Some Good One For Sale Over The Winter. Reason I Say This Is, Building One From The Ground Up Is A Lot More Exspensive If You Do It Right. Seems Most Of The "good" Used Sportsman Cars Capable Of Winning Races, Go Around $6500 To $8000 Turn-key Race Ready. Depending On How Good And How Used They Are. If You Build A New Car With "good" New Stuff From The Ground Up, Its Nothing To Have Over $13,000 In One Depending On How Fancy You Go And Still Need A Motor.

This Just My Opinion. You Never Know, You May Not Care For This Kind Of Racing After You Do It. I wouldn't Want To Get Too Deep In Until I Figured Out If It Was something I Wanted To Continue Doing. If You Like It, You Can Always Sell And Upgrade Later.

Something To Consider!
 
you can get in a true street stock and run here in fulton,they are the monte carlos and cutlass typed cars...from what i have seen you can get in a descent car to start with for around $2800 race ready...
 
I think you could build a B-mod for less than a street stock. For example you could buy Dan Bimson's car for 2500 obo with 2 glides and a ton of spares, Lonnie Monnig has a complete descent motor for 1300. So you could be in a mod for less than 5000. You could find one even cheaper, I paid 1500 for a front running roller. Bimsons car is very nice though, look for a deal like that with a ton of spares, you will need them. If you go that direction PM me and I have a bunch of stuff you could buy cheap.
 
well i have to say something here to this guy. 94 i thank you know i am, and i know cc knows me. but i started out in the mod class and some one asked me at the last points race in granite, "what would you do diffrent if you could go back in time and take what you know now with you." i had to look at him with a stupid look. i am still thinking about that question, and i would not have changed a thing. he wanted to hear me say i should have started in a lower class. so here is what i will tell you ok. like the 2 guys have said, you can find deals on here and some times the deals fall in you lap, you race what you want too (i knew i wanted to race the mods). i beleave some one else said you may not like it coming out of drag racing. (i personally know 3 drivers that wanted to run on the dirt and 3 of them went back to the straights the next weekend). i am not trying to discourage you in no way shape nor form, just stating what i know. if you come to granite next year look me up, i am the 73 mod there, and good luck with what ever class you decide, and if you decided to stay on the straights.
 
Lone Wolf I have an 04 car for sale pick and choose what you want or buy it all I will sell at any stage. Car has never been wrecked or bent! pics of the car are at www.hazeracing.com it is a good car even though the results didn't show it. Battled rookie mistakes most of the year. I also will give you the setup that i ran at the end of the year when the car handled the best. Let me know.
 
Might be a good idea to check out the Kim Westling car
before you make any final decisions...She did great in it
this past season.
 
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