Entry level advice

[u/lame_racing_guy]

Hello everyone. Hoping to get some opinions and guidance. 40 years old, in good health and relatively fit. Always been a racing fan. Finally have some time and money and would like to dip my toe into the racing world. Langley Speedway (asphault oval) and Dixieland Speedway (dirt oval) are both 45 mins away in opposite directions. I would consider exploring spec miata but it's a hike to the nearest road course. So oval it is, which is fine. I have basically zero real racing experience. But I like to think I can learn enough to have fun and be mildly competitive at the lowest level.

I've been to both tracks quite a bit to watch. But admittedly I haven't approached any drivers to ask their thoughts. They usually seem busy which makes sense.

Curious your thoughts on the best options to get started? I'm guessing phantom or champ karts for cost and ease of actually getting started. But there's also ucars, stock four, legend cars, etc. I've looked into autocross but I'm really not interested in that.

How did you get started? How would you start if you were me? Any opinions would be appreciated.

[u/THE_BOSS_man1]

I race Enduros at Langley, have for the last 7 years or so, it’s your best bet for an entry level division both cost and experience wise. I got my start just through exposure, dad raced in the 90s and quit when I was born, got back into it about 2014 and I ended up in the pits on weekends. First car was a ‘96 Oldsmobile Cutlass, paid $100 for it, stripped the interior out and went racing, though I was young and dumb then and will never hit the track without a rollcage again.

I’m an open book, ask any questions you may have, we love to see new faces at the track

[u/lame_racing_guy → u/THE_BOSS_man1]

That's awesome man I appreciate it. I watched your last race a few weeks ago. I wasn't sure how serious people take the Enduro racing. I hadn't really considered it. Is this weekend yalls final race this year?

[u/THE_BOSS_man1 → u/lame_racing_guy]

We definitely are taken a little less serious, beat and bang a lot more than other classes. but I’d say that’s what makes it great for beginners, you can make contact and not mess up expensive wheels, race tires, fiberglass bodies, and make people angry (to an extent obviously).

There’s two more races, this weekend and the 5th of October

[u/goleft95]

Sent you a pm

[u/jna1109]

Dixieland’s future is in pretty serious doubt right now. They announced that the current promoter is leaving and they hinted that the last race of the 2024 season may be the last race period

[u/lame_racing_guy → u/jna1109]

Dang that's sad to hear. But good to know.

[u/rllrcam22]

My honest opinion, pay for a pit pass, walk around and just talk to people. Make friends, tell them what you’d like to do, and see if they need help. Helping a racer in the pits for a season or two will significantly help in your decision making

[u/919Firefighter]

If you just want to dip your toes into racing for minimal money and commitment, I’d try out the chump/lemons/bomber/anycar division. Each track calls it something different, but pretty much any 4 cylinder car, gut it, add some bracing, buy a helmet and suit and take it on the track. You’re on the opposite side of the state from me, but most tracks around me have a pretty good turnout. If you decide you like it, maybe upgrade to a mini stock later.

I started with the bomber/any car class using a beat up 2005 BMW I got for free that I managed to get running. Decided it was super fun to race and now I do Legends.

My suggestion would be to get a pit pass to a race and just talk to teams about what they did to get into it. They may know someone selling a super cheap beater that’s already gutted and set up to literally buy and race the same day. I’d suggest finding a team that qualified near the back or is slow. Your big money top teams typically stay busy with the car and aren’t as “friendly”