Quarter Midget Rules

As their name indicates, quarter midget race cars are roughly one-quarter the size of a standard midget race car. Running on both dirt and asphalt tracks, quarter midgets can achieve speeds of up to 80 mph. The cars are typically piloted by drivers from ages 5 to 16 and are a stepping stone to professional driving careers used by NASCAR stars such as Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Terry Labonte and Jason Leffler.

  1. Chassis Height and Length

    • The main sanctioning body for quarter midget racing in the United States is the United States Auto Club. Their most recent rules ratified in 2009 place specifications on chassis design. When building a car, keep the wheel base between 42 and 56 inches, the overall length from bumper to bumper no more than 74 inches and no taller than 50 inches (including the roll cage).

    Weight

    • In all USAC quarter midget divisions, the maximum weight of the car is 160 pounds. In addition, certain divisions (called "heavy classes") require a minimum weight for the driver of 100 pounds, regardless of the driver's age. All categories have minimum combined weight, which accounts for both the driver and the car. Depending on the division, this can be anywhere from 250 to 325 pounds. Ballast is allowed to bring the car up to a minimum weight, but do not fasten it to the roll cage, Nerf bars, shoulder bars or front and rear bumpers. In addition, do not carry weights in the driver's suit.

    Engines

    • A wide range of engines are used in quarter midget racing, and cars in different divisions will be required to run different engines. This can range from a Honda GX 120, which produces 3.5 horsepower to the far more powerful Briggs & Stratton World Formula, which can produce more than 15 horsepower. Many of the classes designed for younger drivers also require "restrictor plates" that limit the flow of air into the carburetor and therefore the horsepower. Purchase a restrictor plate if you plan on racing one of these classes.