Dirtrack Racing Basics

All forms of dirt track racing require personal safety equipment. The safety equipment is to protect the driver in case of a bad accident and the track insurance will require the equipment before you pull onto the track to race.  The amount and type of safety equipment depends on the track you race at and if the track has an association such as IMCA or Nascar.  They will also have specifications. The first thing to do is check the rules at the track you are going to run.

A racing helmet is required by all tracks.  The helmets may vary somewhat in design. All racing helmets have a Snell rating. Befor buying a helmet, make sure that it is the proper rating. You will want provisions for tareoffs. Tareoffs are the plastic sheets that are removed as the faceshield is covered by the mud and dirt. The price range is from about $100 to $1000.

Next is the firesuit. You can get 1piece or 2 piece firesuits determined by personal choice. These also have a variable price range from about $80 up. Note: a higher price does not necessarily mean that it is better!

You will need a good pair of shoes and gloves that are fire proof.  Again both of these items have a variable price range. The shoes will be about $65 and up and the gloves are $35 and up.

The last item required by most tracks is a neck brace. The neck brace usually runs about $30. Some tracks and/or classes require a head restraint such as the hans device.  This would be a higher class such as sprint cars. The lower beginning classes usually dont require these devices.

Tags: Learn About Dirt Track Racing by bill
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There are several classes to start dirt track racing at the local dirt tracks. The amount of money you are willing to budget for this hobby will determine which class you would start your racing career.

Most of the dirt tracks have a “beginner type” class. For the younger people (12-16 years old} there is a junior mini class. These cars are some type of 4 cylinder car and you are limited on engine modifications. Basically you remove all the interior and external parts such as glass, mirrors and chrome. Then you add a roll cage and racing seat and harness. The fuel tank is removed and replaced by an approved safety fuel tank. This class also has a required tire type that is permitted -usually tires available to the public and street legal (DOT tires).

For the adults the beginner class is usually called ” hobby”, “bomber” or “pure stock”. This class is a larger car such as a chevy Monte Carlo.
You have to do similar modifications like the junior mini class but you can run v8 engine. Engine modifications for this class depends on the track rules. This class also usually permits larger tires (still must be DOT) and some modification to the suspension.

The next level class is usually called street stock. (This the class that I run in.) The engine and suspension can be modified much more in this class then the bomber or pure stock classes.

There are several sanctioning bodies such as Nascar and IMCA.

Tags: Learn About Dirt Track Racing by bill
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Many people wonder what is the difference between drag racing, asphalt circle track racing and dirt track racing. Drag racing is a race between 2 vehicles in a straight line. Asphalt circle track racing usually has from 20 to 40 vehicles in a race around a closed course for example around a football field. The highest level of asphalt racing is Nascar on Sundays or Indy open wheel racing. Dirt track racing usually has up to 25 vehicles and the surface is some kind of dirt or clay surface and is also an enclosed course. The highest level od dirt track racing is the World of Outlaws type of cars.

Since the dirt track gives off a lot of dust, they are watered down prior to the start of races. this will cause the cars to slide around. The cars can actually go much faster by sliding around the corners instead of just steering around the turns. they do this by controlling the slide as they go around the corners.

When the back slides out as you are turning left, you have to turn the front wheels to the right to keep from spinning completely around. Hence the famous saying “there aint nothing like turning right to go left”.

There are usually 5 to 7 classes of cars ranging from the junior-mini class which is for kids from 12 to 16 years old to the modifieds and sprint classes. Note: I own and drive a streetstock car.

The race program usually starts with “hot laps” which is a way to test the cars best setup for handling. Next are the heat races. The entrants usually draw for starting position and usually there are 6 to 10 cars in a heat race. how you finish in the heats determine how you lineup for the feature race. If there is a wreck, car stalled on the track or some other problem, the flagman will throw out the yellow (caution) flag and the laps do not count until the race is restarted under green.

Tags: Learn About Dirt Track Racing by bill
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Welcome to the world of DIRT TRACK RACING as seen through the eyes of a Friday nite street stock racer. I will be primarily talking about dirt track racing on the local level. Hopefully I can give out some helpful tips especially for the beginning racers.

I will try to explain some of the things that need to be done for top performance as well as important safety features that can be incorporated in a good race car.

Tags: Learn About Dirt Track Racing by bill
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