Quarter Midgets

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Quarter Midgets of America is a non-profit organization with over 2,500 family memberships and approximately 4,000 drivers. There are 13 Regions in our organization and 50 Quarter Midget Clubs Nationwide. Since its start in the 1930s in the Los Angeles area, Quarter Midget racing is now held in virtually all 50 states, and in Canada. This sport is definitely the ‘best kept secret’ you'll ever come across.

QMA is a family oriented sport that involves racing in special prepared cars. The cars, rules and safety procedures are designed specifically for kids. They race on oval tracks approximately 1/20 of a mile. A child who is 5 to 16 years of age can race. Safety features include full roll cages, multi-point seat harnesses, full face helmets, and other gear. This sport has fewer injuries than little-league football. The Quarter Midget Association is constantly reviewing and evaluating safety rules to ensure that quarter midget racing remains a safe competitive sport. The racing environment is about children and family. Not only do kids learn valuable skills and sportsmanship, but they also make new friends. Mom and Dad will make new friends too.

A Quarter Midget car is a scaled-down version of an actual midget racer, approximately 1/4 scale. The cars are built around a tubular frame and are fully suspended with springs or torsion bars and shocks. The bodies are fiberglass, usually painted to the drivers preference. Surrounding the driver is a chrome-moly roll cage and nerf bars. The engines are single cylinder and are manufactured by Honda, Continental, Briggs & Stratton, and Deco. In the motors stock configuration they produce between 2.5 & 4 horse power. Modifications in the upper classes allow these engines to reach several times the stock horse power. These air-cooled 4-cycle engines are reliable and can produce as much as 10,000 rpm's in their more highly modified forms.

How do you get started? First, find the closest quarter midget racing club. You should visit your local club before buying any equipment. Talking to some of the other parents at the track, as well as the directors who run the club will be a huge education on how to get started. Once you have joined a local club and QMA, the novice training director will arrange for a time for your child to begin a required Novice Training Program. Once the training program is complete, usually 3 to 6 sessions depending on the child, you are ready to start racing.

It's a family sport. All races are staffed and run by family volunteers from local tracks.Drivers develop physical skills such as coordination, timing, alertness and basic mechanical theory. Internal strength is developed through sportsmanship, self-reliance, accomplishment and recognition. It's just plain fun!

Many second-hand cars in good condition can be found and are perfect for starter cars. The cost can run from $700 for an older used car to $5,000 for a new car set up for the upper, faster classes.

Stock motors range in price from under $500 to well over $3,000 for a motor that has a reputation for winning at national-level events. Local clubs can put a smart shopper in touch with a member offering a package deal of a used car, motor and gear.

By contacting the New Smyrna QMRA, you can find all the resources you need to help your child get started in his or her racing career.

New Smyrna QMRA offers free training programs, where your child can actually learn the rules and how to drive the car before being placed in a competitive situation. These programs are required for your child's safety, and the safety of other drivers on race day.