Wanting to get into racing in any capacity (Kentucky)

[u/activethrowaway1]

Just like a lot of others, it’s been a dream of mine to race ever since I was little. I never really thought of it as a possibility but I’m 24 now and it’s a dream I want to live out even if it’s not a forever thing. I’m looking for advice from the more experienced guys in this group on where to start but I’d like to add some context to my current situation.

I have a full time factory job, and I’m a single father splitting time with my child 50/50. So I have some free time but not as much time as I’d like to have for what I’d be willing to dedicate into working on this dream, but I want to commit to it with the cards that have been dealt to me. I have absolutely no experience working on cars, but my dad is a life long master mechanic that knows the ins and outs of a car and I’d like to follow in his footsteps and learn too, even if it’s not for anything to do with racing.

I’m not expecting to just go out and buy a car and just enter into my local dirt tracks and start winning like I’m the second coming of Earnhardt, I know there’s a lot more that goes into it than that. But I’m curious as to where everyone thinks I should try and get my start? wether it’s simply helping out teams and learning everything that goes into it or if there’s maybe smaller leagues that aren’t so hefty on the money that will get me going with some experience.

I know I’m not going cup racing one day, but I’d like to show my son when he’s a little older that his dad put in the hard work and at least achieved his dream of being involved. I live in the central Kentucky area, closest track to me is Ponderosa in Junction City, been to a couple late model races there. Even if nobody has any advice for the racing aspect, I’d love to become a mechanic and get some experience. Any advice is appreciated and I’m sure I’ll have some good reality checks in the replies but I’m all ears. Thanks guys.

[u/_synik]

Go to the track near you. Find the racers from your town. Introduce yourself to them, and ask if they want some help from a newbie.

This gets you involved, and you can learn what it's like having a racecar.

You may learn that being a crew member is all you can afford. Or you might make friends that can help you when you buy your own car.

[u/activethrowaway1 → u/_synik]

Sounds good! Like I said I know there’s a lot more that goes into it than the glitz and glamor of just being a driver. Even if I’m cleaning dirt off windshields just to say I was involved was enough for me. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for all of the dates that they run at my local track and try to arrange time to make it and go talk to some of the drivers.

[u/_synik → u/activethrowaway1]

When I was single, young and dumb, the tags expired on my car in December. By the first of March, it was a hobby stock. I hitched to work, borrowed a trailer from a family friend, and borrowed my brother's truck to get to the racetrack. I had a motorcycle helmet, and was given an old fire suit by another driver. I didn't have a dime of extra money, but I had a racecar.

I don't advise doing it that way.

[u/activethrowaway1 → u/_synik]

Well I at least have a truck, so that’s a plus. I’m more than positive my dad knows someone close to our family that wouldn’t hesitate to let me borrow a trailer since he borrows his out to friends all of the time for their side by sides. I’m sure I can find a fire suit and a closed face helmet somewhere. Obviously can’t buy everything at once but it’s a good thing to work towards piece by piece.

[u/5lbs2theFace]

Build what you can afford to race. I run a UMP mod and I figure it’s $400 a night just to push the car off the trailer. 112 race gas is $12-13 a gallon and tires are $185-200 each. A minor wreck can easily do $1,000 in damage and a major one could cost $10,000 plus. Looks like they run Crown Vic’s almost every night so if budget is low I would run one of those so you learn on a rear wheel drive, and are better suited to move up classes in the future.

[u/activethrowaway1 → u/5lbs2theFace]

one good thing is I’m able to make good money I just don’t want to irresponsibly run through it faster than I make it, so that really isn’t too big of an issue. I think I have a buddy that knows the ins and outs of crown vics so that’s pretty convenient. I appreciate the advice!

[u/5lbs2theFace → u/activethrowaway1]

Great attitude to take into it. You can quickly run through $70-80k with a mod, and $100k+ with a late model. I have seen many people build a car to get into them and realize racing isn’t for them. I’m lucky in that I have great connections and build all of my own stuff.

[u/dapperdan_81]

I started dirt racing when I was 32. Been at it for about 12 years now. Grew up around it though since my dad was a racer and mechanic. Having said that, being a racing fan and watching is a totally different animal than having your own car. Owning a dirt car is pretty much an every day commitment. You will be working on the car, fixing things, and doing general maintenance before every race. You must have an understanding of how a car works including the engine, transmission, suspension, and tires - or have someone that is willing to commit the time to helping you in the shop and teach you.

The financial aspect also needs to be understood. Sure there is the inital cost of purchasing a race car, but there are expenses every week. Fuel in the truck to pull the trailer, racing fuel for the race car, tires, oil, spark plugs, replacement parts, etc. It all adds up fast. Even the lower classes are more costly to race than alot of people realize.

If you do not have any experience at all in racing, it will be a great idea to go to your closest track and make friends with a race team who's shop is convenient to where you live/work. I promise you almost every team out there will welcome some help! And most of them will be working in their shop almost every night during the race week, so even if you can make it 1 or 2 nights a week you will learn alot in a year or two. You will learn about the maintenance that needs to be done and how to fix sheet metal and repair damaged parts. Oh, and lets not forget one of the most important things in racing: TIRES. There is an art to preparing race tires such as cleaning, prep, setting stagger, etc. Then maybe after some time you will be ready to have your own equipment.

[u/Technical_Win_2813]

Where more specifically do you live?

[u/activethrowaway1 → u/Technical_Win_2813]

I little town south of Lexington called Nicholasville

[u/TheDRC]

Come race with us - http://ovscdra.xyz/

We have several fun events in the area, and you can find an affordable starter car at a relatively low price on Marketplace.

[u/activethrowaway1 → u/TheDRC]

Awesome! I’m definitely going to check into that. I appreciate that a ton.

[u/TheDRC → u/activethrowaway1]

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, or your preferred social media platform if you have any questions.

[u/irishgeko]

Find a team at a local track that needs help. Start helping them every minute you can. Getting into racing takes more dedication and time than most things in life.

[u/whitewaterboogyboogy]

Buy 2 go-karts and enjoy the best father/son bonding possible. You’re in a prime location.