WHEN FAMILY COMES TOGETHER
Transcription
WHEN FAMILY COMES TOGETHER
Racers looking for a lower cost option to compete in open wheel cars are flocking to the micro and mini-sprint markets, which also provide tremendous sales opportunity to racing businesses. Photo courtesy of Factor 1 Racing. H eart-pounding, dirt-flinging, open wheel action…all on a working man’s budget? Yes, it’s possible! With the micro sprint and mini-sprint race markets, a variety of opportunities exist for racers and their families to run an open wheel car, as well as opportunities for racing businesspeople ready to jump into this thriving market. “The micro and mini-sprint race cars have brought high speed dirt track and pavement racing to the lower budget racer,” observed Keith Wagoner of Saldana Racing Products, Brownsburg, Indiana. “As racing becomes more and more expensive racers are beginning to look for lower cost alternatives and this type of racing is one such alternative. This market is special because it is growing in popularity all over the country and now the world and it looks to continue to grow.” “The micro and mini-sprint race cars have brought high speed dirt track racing to the lower budget racer.” “I am passionate about the mini-sprint market; it is real racing with all the components of midgets and sprint cars in play at a fraction of the cost,” said Larry Fasse of FOZ Race Cars, Hamilton, Ohio. “The cars are fast and a lot of fun to drive. It allows many people to come out of the stands and get in the seat.” In fact, Rodney Stealy of Concept Chassis, Bremen, Indiana, said that the kids entering micros and mini-sprints are typically from the go-kart or quarter midget ranks. But, he added, “There are 40- or 50-year-old people coming straight into these who have never raced a day in their lives. It’s pretty open. A lot of people get into their late 30s or early 40s and can finally afford to do something. Their families are just about grown and now it’s dad’s turn to play a little bit.” Kaleb Har t of Triple X Race Components, Burlington, Washington, said that the mini-sprint market serves as both “a stepping stone market 58 pgs_58-67_MiniSprint Market.indd 58 Performance Racing Industry | September 2010 8/12/10 2:26:21 PM …one step ahead High quality hose assemblies UÊÊÀ>ViÊÃiÀiÃÊ£] -]Ê7/ ]Ê 7, UÊ£ää¯Ê«ÀiÃÃÕÀiÊ ÌiÃÌi` UÊyÊÕà i`ÊÌÊ -ÊÊ ÀiµÕiÃÌ As costs in racing continue to escalate for many competitors, the micro and mini-sprint markets provide a more affordable path to keep racers at the track every week. These race cars are powered by motorcycle engines to keep costs down, but still allow plenty of wheel-towheel excitement common in open wheel racing. Airjack system - quick lift UÊÃÌÊ} ÌÜi} ÌÊ qÊÞÊÈÓ}Ê>ÌÊ ÓÎäÊÃÌÀi UÊv>ÃÌiÃÌÊ>VÌÕ>ÌÊ qÊLÞÊ{äL>ÀÊ«iÕ >ÌVÊ«ÀiÃÃÕÀi UÊ} iÃÌÊÃ>viÌÞÊ qÊLÞÊÌi}À>Ìi`Ê «ÀiÃÃÕÀiÊÀiivÊ Û>Ûi Steering wheel quick release UÊ"ÞÊÓÇÓ} and an end market depending on the end user. The investment to get going in mini-sprints is pretty substantial to start, but the upgrade costs and the upkeep costs are very minimal in comparison to running a full-scale sprint car or a midget where those guys are spending on average if you figure in motor rebuilds $500 to $1000 a night depending on how high end their motor is. A mini-sprint after you have made your initial investment between tires, fuel, and pit passes, it’s $100 or $150 a night only to go out and have almost as much fun.” “We are getting a lot of new kids coming out of the go-kart world who want to go sprint car racing,” explained Troy Boissoneau of New Hampshire’s Granite State Mini-Sprint Racing Club (GSMSRC). “It’s a stepping stone where they want to go to midgets later or supers or modifieds, but at least here they get a taste of open wheel racing, but also some of the technology that comes with cars without being overwhelmed.” Micro and mini-sprint race cars are powered by motorcycle engines. While there are some engine builders who do cater to this market, the majority of the engines are found by racers at a local motorcycle dealer, on eBay, or at a local junkyard, according to our contacts. Although a number of people use the terms mini-sprint and micro interchangeably, this is incorrect as these are two separate types of race cars. While the micro sprints are chain driven with the motor sitting across the frame, on the left side of the car, the mini-sprint’s motor sits in-line with the frame and the car uses a driveshaft to transfer the power from the motor to the rear axle. “There has been growing confusion as to what a mini-sprint is,” said Fasse. “Years ago when the term mini-sprint was used it meant an upright car (like a midget) with a 1200cc motor. There were also the 600cc modified midgets (Sidewinders), which are cars with motors more offset to the left, shorter wheelbase and 10-inch wheels. The term mini-sprint has come to be used for both of these and can cause a lot of confusion because generally the cars compete in different UÊ V>ÊÃi>ÌÊÊvÀiiÊ vÀÊ«>Þ UÊ>ÃÞÊÌÊViVÌÊ LÞÊ}iÕÃÊ iV >à Bespoke parts UÊ ÊÌÕÀ}Ê>`Ê x>ÝÃÊ}Ê >V ià UÊà ÀÌÊ`iÛiÀÞÊ Ìià UÊvÕÊÌÀ>Vi>LÌÞ NEW online shop UÊ`iÛiÀÞÊvÀÊÃÌV UÊi>ÃÞÊÀ`iÀÊÃÞÃÌi UÊÜÀ`Ü`iÊ`iÛiÀÞÊ ÃiÀÛVi Join our US Dealer Network headquarter: +49-9401-52530 Pommenstraße 33, 93073 Neutraubling, Germany www. September 2010 | www.performanceracing.com pgs_58-67_MiniSprint Market.indd 59 krontec.com 59 8/12/10 2:26:27 PM Visit Our Web Site: www.stage8.com Stage 8 Locking Fasteners Offers: • Wide Variety of Applications • GM, Ford, Jeep, Mopar • Solid Tech Support • Easy Buy-In Programs • Attractive Margins • Stable Pricing • This ultimate Jobber ad-on increases sales & reduces comebacks. • Stage 8 supports you with a national print & TV ad campaign. • Call Today For A Catalog & Pricing 1-800-843-7836 • During the past quarter century we have produced millions of our fasteners with zero product failures. All Stage 8 Products Are Proudly Made In The USA. Call For Information 1.800.843.7836 25 Years Zero Product Failures 60 pgs_58-67_MiniSprint Market.indd 60 classifications around the country. The 600 mod midget class is huge around the country and continues to grow.” “Basically there are many different classes and this changes from area to area and in some areas a micro sprint is called a mini sprint and vice versa but possibly the simplest way would be to base it around engine sizes and their state of modification,” explained Bill Mann of Eagle Chassis, Springfield, Illinois. “Engines being used to cater from the beginner to the most experienced are nominally based around 125cc, 250cc, 270cc, 500cc, 600cc and 1000cc. There is also different state of engine modifications in different classes, as well. Eagle Motorsports can supply cars based around the nominal 600cc engine.” Racers from a variety of ages, from children to those well into their senior years, can be found at race tracks in either a micro or mini-sprint. Let’s find out why these cars are so appealing, along with business opportunities for these race cars powered by motorcycle engines. Mini-Sprints Mini-sprints are powered by Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, or Suzuki 600cc, 750cc, 1000cc, or 1200cc motorcycle engines. The price ranges vary widely from purchasing a used car to a new one, but still not on the same level as a 360 or 410 sprint car. “Usually on an average with the minisprints you can find a lot of used cars out there from anywhere from $2000 to $5000, but then you can go out and buy a brand-new car for $10,000 to $15,000,” said Boissoneau. “It really ranges, but to get into the sport of mini-sprint racing, you can probably say around the $2500 window to get yourself started.” Hart explained that a complete 600cc WHEN FAMILY COMES TOGETHER R acing is often referred to as a family sport, and the micro and mini-sprint markets are obvious places where this is displayed. “The micro sprint market is a very good area to develop quality family time and to build a good parent to child/teenager relationship that is so sadly neglected in the world today,” observed Bill Mann of Eagle Chassis, Springfield, Illinois. “It is also the area that our racing stars of tomorrow come from.” “Micro sprint racing is family racing at its finest,” said Jim McDougal of Factor 1 Racing, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. “Most teams are made up of family members and/or friends. It is a great way to bring families together, from the little kids that race to the grandparents that come to cheer them on. Our customers develop relationships at the track that extend to their home life. We instill into our customer to help and learn from each other and share information with other Factor 1 customers. It is far better to beat someone that you know is capable of winning at any time, than to beat someone that you know is having problems and has no chance of winning. The more competition, the better driver you become and can move on to the higher levels of racing.” And competition came from all parts of the nation to the recent Pennsylvania Speedweek, held June 26 through July 3, 2010. This highly regarded event hosts six races in eight days, with the nightly winners drawing an attractive $1000 to $2500 to win, based on car count. The concluding race at Lanco’s Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway drew 78 drivers. During the 600cc C-Main, Jim Garrison was involved in a violent crash resulting in the drivers and car owners agreeing to cancel the remainder of the event. The concept of “family” was most evident as the micro sprint teams agreed to donate the entire purse to the Garrison family. —Meredith Kaplan Burns Performance Racing Industry | September 2010 8/12/10 2:26:28 PM FULL-LINE DYNO MANUFACTURER Micros and mini-sprints serve as both a stepping stone market and an end market depending on the end user, according to one contact. Young people who are moving up from quarter midgets and karts often turn to these cars for more experience before moving into midgets, sprint cars, or other race cars, while quite a few adults see these cars on the race track, investigate the cost, and decide to hop in, as well. Plus, some racers have traded in their budgets of hundreds of thousands of dollars per race season to race a micro or mini-sprint instead. Photo courtesy of FOZ Race Cars and J&T Photos. turnkey mini-sprint can go anywhere between $10,000 to $25,000, depending on how intricate the buyer wants to get. And, a used car can be half of that amount easy. Triple X Race Components is a fullscale open wheel manufacturer, offering 600cc mini-sprints. They also offer 1200cc mini-sprints, in addition to its line-up of midgets and sprint cars. FOZ Race Cars is mostly involved with the 1000cc/1200cc mini-sprints, which are also referred to as Lightning Sprints and are growing throughout the United States, according to Fasse. “The great thing about mini-sprints in general is, that with a down economy, we are seeing growth in the overall number of cars.” Fasse said that the FOZ mini-sprint is an upright car built for the 1000/1200cc classes of racing. The configuration of the car is much like a midget as opposed to the 600cc offset cars. In 2010, FOZ made some modification to the chassis, including lengthening the car by two inches on the wheelbase and using 1 3/8-inch tubing, and they raised the rear frame rails. FOZ Race Cars is a joint venture between Larry Fasse’s Speed Partz September 2010 | www.performanceracing.com pgs_58-67_MiniSprint Market.indd 61 GASOLINE ENGINE DIESEL ENGINE AXLE-HUB ROLLING-ROAD MULTI-AXLE 2WD & 4WD AUTO & TRUCK TRANSMISSION ON-BOARD SPEEDO TOWING SMALL ENGINE PTO www.land-and-sea.com or 1-877-DYNOMITe 61 8/12/10 2:26:30 PM Driveshaft NEW • • • • • • • 100% Guaranteed the smoothest driveshaft or or your money back! Developed and tested over several years. Proven to increase performance and eliminate horsepower robbing harmonic vibrations in the drivetrain. Proprietary core material designed exclusively for this driveshaft. Billet aluminum drive yokes insure minimal runout. Precision machined heat treated, billet steel slider yoke. Spicer precision u-joints. Each driveshaft hand built. Completely assembled and balanced. Sold with slider yoke only. Y ONL and John Godfrey, of Spike Chassis, Brownsburg, Indiana. Empire Lightning Sprints is a series that travels to race tracks throughout New York, Pennsylvania, and also into Quebec. According to Mike Kiser, this series is an entry-level sprint car class that is low cost compared to 305, 360, and 410 sprints. “We act as a feeder group to those classes. In the past five to six years nearly eight to 10 drivers have moved up in class to either the Empire Super Sprints or ASCS Patriots Groups.” $612.95 Dealer Inquiries Invited N-1597 US41 Menominee, Mi. 49858 (800) 221-1851 www.colemanracing.com Let’s Talk Horsepower Camshafts Power Winners One of the many benefits to running a micro or mini-sprint is these cars allow drivers to learn to tune and discover every aspect of a full size car without the huge investment or need for a huge pit crew, noted one contact. Current open wheel racing businesses can easily add products catering to the micros and mini-sprints to their inventory as many familiar brand names in the open wheel world also manufacture products for these race cars, as well. Custom CNC Camshafts Advancing Camshaft Technology • Oval Track, Drag Race, Marine • Combination Specific Profiles • Competitive Pricing • Dependable Customer Service New Crankshaft Service Crankshaft Repair & Race Prepared To Your Specs Call Today for Consistent Reliable Power We Ship Winning Horsepower Everyday Call (662) 893-5670 • www.bulletcams.com • 8785 Old Craft Road • Olive Branch, MS 38654 62 pgs_58-67_MiniSprint Market.indd 62 The Empire Lightning Sprints run an upright chassis design just like a full-size sprint car with a stock 1000cc motorcycle engine that averages 180 hp, according to Kiser. The overall weight of the car and driver is 925 to 950 pounds, and the series also runs a spec right rear tire with other rules to keep the costs down. “Lightning sprints are not toys or a go-kart class,” emphasized Kiser. “With the power-to-weight ratio we are the fastest class at the race track unless the 360 or 410 sprint cars are on the track.” The GSMSRC runs a 500cc and 600cc division at three tracks in New England. While racers as young as 14 can compete in the 500 division and 15 in the 600 diviPerformance Racing Industry | September 2010 8/12/10 2:26:32 PM Experience the technology of... sion, Boissoneau said the average age for the series is people in their 40s and 50s, with a driver who is almost 70 years of age. The goal of the club is for racing to be affordable, he stressed. Micro Sprints “In my opinion the micro market is special in a unique way,” said Jim McDougal of Factor 1 Racing, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. “A micro sprint gives the driver a very realistic look into full size racing that you see on television, like the World of Outlaws. It allows drivers to learn to tune and discover every aspect of a full size car without the huge investment or need for a huge pit crew.” “The micro market is important because it is great for someone getting out of gokarts or quarter midgets,” said Scott Sawyer of Sawyer Chassis, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. “Also, it is a good opportunity for someone starting from scratch. It is cheaper than a full sprint car and a good way for someone to see if they are interested in open wheel racing.” Mike Dicely of Hyper Racing, Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, described the appeal of micro sprint racing. “It is a place where anyone with a decent salary can afford to race; you do not need sponsors,” he said. “Our fan base is not the biggest, but I think it is the most overlooked form of racing in America. We have some of the best drivers in the country racing micros. Just because we are not on TV or have the big money behind us, our passion burns hot and souls bleed dirt. The racing is extremely competitive. I invite anyone to come see a good 600cc sprint (micro) race, you will not be disappointed.” “Micro sprints are significant because they allow almost anyone from your weekend hobbyist to your hardcore racer to have some fun,” agreed McDougal of Factor 1 Racing. “It gives them a place to start to cultivate tremendous skills and experiences to carry with them to the higher ranks in motorsports.” McDougal described the different classes within the micro market. “We have junior sprints in which the kids can get started from six to 12 years old,” he September 2010 | www.performanceracing.com pgs_58-67_MiniSprint Market.indd 63 MLS MLS Multi Layer Steel Head Gaskets Featuring... LCE Load Controlled Embossment Viton coated embossed outer layers Stainless steel shim layer Requires less clamp load which creates less bore distortion conforming load distribution across the sealing area. 63 8/12/10 2:26:36 PM “STEERING YOU TO THE FRONT” Choice of Champions C.J.R. Products Win with the steering products that helped win 19 of the last 23 Cup Championships! CJR Gearboxes: Light, Responsive & Dyno-Tested -- 600 & 700 Gears Available OVER 35 YEARS RACING EXPERIENCE 7 DIFFERENT RATIOS AVAILABLE VALVING OF YOUR CHOICE, OR C.J.R. CAN PROVIDE DIRECTION TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS CHECK US OUT IN THE NASCAR HALL OF FAME—CHARLOTTE, NC CJR Pumps: Race Proven, NASCAR Approved CJR G-Force Reservoirs: Keep The Air Out CJR Pittman Arms: Precision Cut and Guaranteed Straight Contact us today for a custom quote: 336.766.2710 cjrproducts.com 64 pgs_58-67_MiniSprint Market.indd 64 said. “It is a smaller car than the micro sprint and very affordable. This allows for a lot of father and son or daughter race teams. The next step up is the restrictor class for ages nine to 16—this is the first step into micro sprint racing. This class uses the same motors and cars as the upper classes, the only exception is they must run restrictor plates in the carbs just like NASCAR. This keeps the cost down and equalizes the competition. “The stock class (A Class) is the next level,” he continued, “where you take your restrictors out and go racing. Both the restrictor and stock or ‘A’ class run stock from the manufacturer motors. There is a non-wing class that runs the same rules as the stock class, but they just run with no wings. Then you can move up to the outlaw class with very few limits. Motors are 600cc production run, two mm over is the largest you can run. Large wings, cockpit adjustable wings, shocks, and panhard bars are allowed. They can run fuel injection and basically stay inside the motor size rules and it’s legal.” Dave Laird of Stallard Chassis, in Newark, Delaware, which builds the 600 chassis, offered further insight into the classes. “Here in this area there is a class called the Junior class. They have to run a 125cc motor on their car. They start those guys at 12 years old. Then they will move up from that to the actual 125 class and that can be from 16 to whatever age. But guys will usually spend one or two years in that and then they will move up to a 250 stock class and they’ll go to a 270 class or they will go from a stock class directly into a 600cc class. “If they are starting out in that junior class, they can run the same car in the junior class as they can in the 125 class and throughout the whole range of twostroke classes,” he continued. “That’s basically what you are looking at is a twostroke versus coming into the multi-cylinder motors. When you go to the multi-cylinder motors you are looking at using a 600 chassis, which is a little bigger, a little stronger. You are also dealing with a lot more horsepower and torque than you are with any of the stuff that is two-stroke driven.” Performance Racing Industry | September 2010 8/12/10 2:26:38 PM Laird said that in his region of the country, the engines are closely dictated by the Pennsylvania or US6A rules, which prohibit any port work or lightening of the crankshaft. “You are basically taking a stock motorcycle engine and you are at the mercy of what the motorcycle builder put in that,” he said. Godfrey, of Spike Chassis, agreed that the 600cc micro sprint is popular, in fact, he added, “it’s everywhere.” Indeed, micro sprint racing does appear to be everywhere with associations and events all across the United States, plus racing in New Zealand and Australia. Godfrey also cited the popularity of micro sprint racing as the POWRi series, which is known for its midget race events, allows micros to compete in their POWRi presented by Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Sprint series. Dwayne Gutshall of Predator RaceCraft, Shippensberg, Pennsylvania, specializes in building the 600cc micro sprint chassis. He described the market as “fairly strong.” However, he did note that car counts are down just slightly at tracks they race at due to the economy since “guys racing micros don’t have big sponsors and it’s mostly out of their own pockets.” A benefit to running the 600 chassis is if racers decide to move into the 1000 class, some organizations allow the racers to run the same chassis and swap the engine, according to Gutshall. Terry Schaeffer of RTS Chassis, in Reading, Pennsylvania, builds micro sprint chassis for the 250/270, 600, and 1000 divisions. Racers in the 600 class can start with a 600cc chassis and then modify it for the torque from the 1000cc engine. Schaeffer reported that the frame of the 250/270 class is smaller than the 600 and 1000, and quite often the smaller engine class is cheaper as many of these racers can work on the two-stroke engines themselves for work such as changing the carburetor jets. However, with the bigger engines, racers often hire businesses to dyno the engines and work on the engines’ injection systems, noting business opportunities in those segments. September 2010 | www.performanceracing.com pgs_58-67_MiniSprint Market.indd 65 65 8/13/10 3:37:31 PM 20% OFF All Remaining In Stock Flowbenches Deals this great rarely happen, so call today and get your new flowbench before they are gone! Call 1.800.471.7701 May not combine with any other special, valid to North American customers only. www.SuperFlow.com 66 pgs_58-67_MiniSprint Market.indd 66 Crossover Opportunities “People in the sprint car and midget markets will find that the addition of mini sprints to their product line will be easy,” said Wagoner, of Saldana Racing Products. “These cars use many of the same type of parts that are manufactured by their current suppliers for their sprint and midget parts. My advice is always the same: You can’t sell parts if you don’t have them. Find reliable suppliers for their parts and keep them on the shelf.” A number of manufacturers that cater to the open wheel market already offer products to help you expand into the micro and mini-sprint areas. Stealy of Concept Chassis cited the use of Hoosier tires, AFCO, Pro Shocks and Advanced Racing Suspension in the suspension category, and Keizer and Weld in the wheel market. “All the aluminum components are the same—radius rods, axle spindles,” Stealy added. But, he advised, “Every manufacturer’s product is a little different so it makes it a little more complicated for a standard retailer. They have to pick a builder and work with them. There are a few universal parts but not a lot, throughout all the different brands of cars. It’s not like the sprint car industry.” One area that anyone catering to this market should carefully consider is offering the best safety components to their customers. “Safety...It is an issue that sometimes may be taken lightly because of the physical size of the cars, but it needs to be taken seriously,” said McDougal of Factor 1 Racing. “Drivers are now using full bladders in their fuel cells, full containment seats, and HANS devices. The micro sprints are for the most part very safe but things can happen and have happened. Racing can be a dangerous sport at any level.” “The most current trend is switching to fuel tanks with fuel bladders,” observed Saldana’s Wagoner. In fact, the POWRi micro sprint series mandated fuel bladders as of this year. “In the past many tracks did not require the use of fuel bladders, allowing fuel to be carried in the Performance Racing Industry | September 2010 8/13/10 3:37:32 PM PRI SEMINAR WILL TELL YOU HOW TO ENTER THIS MARKET! Micro and mini-sprint racers represent a real strong spot in the racing marketplace. If you want to find out more about entering this very active market and exploring business opportunities, come to the PRI Trade Show for a special seminar on the subject, at no charge. Kenny Brown, president of POWRi, will present the seminar “Capturing Sales In The Growing Micro & Mini-Sprint Markets” on Saturday, December 11, from 8–9 a.m., in a convention center meeting room. plastic tail tank instead. Over time some very scary accidents and the resulting fires have caused the sanctioning bodies and tracks to re-think their policies. Saldana Racing Products and their bladder manufacturer Safe Bladders of Indiana have led the way in developing economical fuel bladders for these cars. We currently have six different bladder designs that the racers can choose from to adapt existing tanks to be a bladder tank.” Sawyer advised PRI readers to get involved in the micro sprint market because “it would be a great way to increase the number of kids getting into the sport. Also it is a great way for the ones that can’t afford the high price of the sprint car market to still race on a budget. The more involved readers get and the more available the parts are the cheaper the sport will get.” “We offer the same excitement, competition, and fun as the big forms of racing, but at a much more affordable level,” said Dicely, about micro sprints. “This class is about having fun, enjoying the community, and helping others to succeed. It is really neat to watch the community in action when someone needs help.”x September 2010 | www.performanceracing.com pgs_58-67_MiniSprint Market.indd 67 67 8/13/10 3:37:33 PM