Dirt Racer

[Dyno247365]

Everyone's always talking about how to get a better 1/10ths of a second in the quarter mile. Sorry but I always kinda fell back the other way so, what does a production car need to be turned into a dirt racer?



What I know: No back windows, no lights, aluminum covering under the chassis, unless that was the gas tank. Do they have side exhausts? The front mostly stays the same but the doors are welded or deleted and some metal is welded in there? New engine? Old engine? Older engine? lol

As soon as you get over the disgust and shock of the question, you may reply.

[stepho]

Disgust!?!?!?!

You are my freaking hero.

I want to get into dirt track racing too! Best thing to do is find a dirt track around you and get a copy of their rules. The rules vary slightly from track to track.

[Dyno247365]

...hero...everyone saw that right?

I mostly like the Modifieds but they're way too advanced for me. AutoX looks boring. I figure I have a camaro that just sits and does nothing, some people want me to part it out so it'll be an excellent race car, depending on what it needs. That picture is of Albany-Saratoga Speedway, 25 miles from here, not a bad trip. More pics:





The downside is when you try to sell your car, it's worth peanuts, which is about the same as mine is now. The good side is that this isn't a demolition derby (by nature) so the car has a long life ahead of it If you drive it right.

This would be your car:





What do you know about dirt racing? I only just saw my first dirt race live.

[72' Stang 351 H/O]

Dyno,Dyno,Dyno....if you want to make a good dirt racer you take the hood off and put on upwards headers.Take all the seats out except yours,get some high profile tires,put in a racing circle track gas tank. I could name off more and more things, but your not getting much anywhere with a 305,maybe a old 350.

[Dyno247365]

Originally Posted by 72' Stang 351 H/O

Dyno,Dyno,Dyno....if you want to make a good dirt racer you take the hood off and put on upwards headers.Take all the seats out except yours,get some high profile tires,put in a racing circle track gas tank. I could name off more and more things, but your not getting much anywhere with a 305,maybe a old 350.

I didn't want the 305 anyway, it has plagued me. Besides, i thought an older engine would mean easier to replace if 'something happened'.

What happened to my pictures? just tell me my host did it...

[stepho]

GM Goodwrench makes engine specifically for dirt track racing. 350 ci. 350 horse power. Sell for 3k on JEGS.

Your gonna need to get new wheels. Gotta be able to fit some monster tires on there.

You need a five point harness (obvious), Probably going to want a roll cage (might not need one though.) Need Helmet/fire suit and all that jazz.

[2.2 Straight six]

Originally Posted by stepho

Probably going to want a roll cage (might not need one though.)

you'll want one, better safe than sorry.

[Dyno247365]

don't you need one to weld the door's metal to? I may be thinking too much into this but I saw them all jump into their cars like dukes of hazzard. The camaro I had pictures of didn't have a door, but that wasn't a race body either, you could open the hood. So the roll cage provides most of the structure if I'm right. The roll cage is what makes it a race car.

[2.2 Straight six]

Originally Posted by Dyno247365

don't you need one to weld the door's metal to? I may be thinking too much into this but I saw them all jump into their cars like dukes of hazzard. The camaro I had pictures of didn't have a door, but that wasn't a race body either, you could open the hood. So the roll cage provides most of the structure if I'm right. The roll cage is what makes it a race car.

you can weld the doors, it adds strength and rigidity to the car, by eliminating most of the flex in the area around the doors.

what defines a race car? hard to say, there are lots of road cars with roll cages, i think a car is a race car when it's a dedicated track machine. not to say it can't go on the road, but when its clear purpose is track biased.

[Nate355RS]

I don't know so much about a dirt race car having a long life. If you race it on dirt it's going to get beat up, unless you're the only one on the track that's racing. I've got friends that dirt race, you're car is going to get beat up sooner or later no matter how good of a driver you are.

Welding the doors also keeps them from flying open because of a hard impact.

[Dyno247365]

Okay thanks for the suggestions, and about the long life thing, I know, just meant I wont have to keep buying race cars. So I weld the doors and then add the cage? That'll be heavy...

Dirt racing is the step to NASCAR right? Or something else?

[Nate355RS]

I think The World of Outlaws or any other Dirt MotorSports event is the pinnacle of dirt racing. To get to that point is very hard and takes a lot of hard work and money, unless you have some awesome sponsors. You might be able to jump over to NASCAR, but you have to really impress the right people. I'm not too sure what the best way to get your foot in the NASCAR door would be.

[ikeyballz]

sweet! haha get rid of all of that crappy insulation.. and get your poor poor engine a GOOD (air) filter..

[72' Stang 351 H/O]

Also your going to need a circle track carburator, try the Summit catlouge they have an entire section on circle track racing. Also your going to need some sponsers who will pay for your parts and expensise. Try Jegs, Cenpico oil,Summit, and a nuber of others. You need money so you can travel around and race.

[Dyno247365]

Originally Posted by 72' Stang 351 H/O

Also your going to need a circle track carburator, try the Summit catlouge they have an entire section on circle track racing. Also your going to need some sponsers who will pay for your parts and expensise. Try Jegs, Cenpico oil,Summit, and a nuber of others. You need money so you can travel around and race.

I'm just thinking about entry level racing, with my car. If it lasts long enough, I'll move upwards on the totem pole, of course.