Come out to a race!
The best way to learn about Quarter Midget racing is to come to a race. Admission is free and the pit area is open to guests. Check the our schedule and come check one out. Feel free to talk to the track officials, handlers and drivers.
Arrive and Drive.
TQMA holds special arrive and drive days where a driver ages 5-16 can get into a car and try it out for a few laps. The new drivers are taught some basic track rules and allowed to get out on the track and drive. Safety equipment is supplied; just show up and drive.
Purchasing Equipment
Getting started in Quarter Midgets, you’ll probably want to buy a used car. Rookies tend to make mistakes. A brand new car could make it kind of stressful if it gets damaged. There are plenty of Facebook pages with used cars and equipment. Also, look for used cars after arrive and drives, and talk to members during races.
Once you have the Quarter Midget there is some equipment you will need. Safety equipment is required by USAC for all drivers. Helmet, suit, gloves, arm restraints, current certified seat belts and at least a neck collar must be worn anytime a driver is on the track. Ask our Rookie Trainer, JOEY RODRIGUES, about this equipment.
Rookie Training
Your child may begin training as a Rookie at age 4 ½ and practice on our track as often as they would like; however, they may not enter a race until age 5. Kids age 5 and up are eligible to race competitively. There are two levels of Rookies, red and blue. All kids must begin with Red. The colors (red and blue) correlate to the color of the restrictor plate that is installed on the engine to reduce the power to a safe level for a beginning driver. Once trained, your child will race as a Red Rookie to hone the skills they were taught in Rookie Training. Among these skills are such things as: (1) proper line-up procedures, (2) understanding of the flags, (3) proper passing ability, (4) pit entry/exit, and (5) track behavior. It will usually take several races for your driver to get the hang of everything. Once your driver has the understanding of those skills he/she is eligible to move up to Blue Rookie, at the discretion of the Rookie Committee (which includes the Rookie Trainer, Race Director, and a member of the Board). After Blue Rookie, your child will move into their first competitive class of racing, depending on their age and weight.
Our Rookie Trainer, JOEY RODRIGUES, coordinates the training of your future driver with your schedule. The Rookie Training Program teaches your child all of the rules associated with racing. Understand also, that as the parent/car handler, you are also a Rookie. The training serves everyone, not just the driver.
For information on our Rookie program feel free to contact JOEY RODRIGUES via TQMA Board Email at [email protected].