Mini Sprint Racer presents a guide to upright mini sprint racing in the midwest

2008 is a great year to get involved in upright mini sprint. The midwest features one of the strongest schedules ever, with an abundance of opportunities to run 600cc and 1200cc races in the states of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Best of all, the owners, promoters and manufacturers supporting upright racing have expressed a commitment to this class of racing that extends several years into the future.

Upright mini sprint racing has something to offer everyone from the aspiring youth to the weekend warrior looking for an inexpensive opportunity to go open wheel racing. Mini sprints are real race cars featuring chassis and components that are identical to today’s midget or sprint, but are powered by motors that produce between 115 and 225 hp. Mini sprints can be readily purchased used for anywhere between $4,000 to $12,000 and new for $14,000 to $20,000. Here are just a few of the opportunities to go upright mini sprint racing in the midwest in 2008:

American Mini Sprint Association (Touring)

The American Mini Sprint Association (A.M.S.A.) is one of the longest running mini sprint organizations in existence. The A.M.S.A. is a 1200cc touring series which will host some 22 events at famed Indiana dirt tracks including Lawrenceburg Speedway, Twin Cities Raceway Park and Gas City Speedway with additional events still pending. The A.M.S.A. features large car counts with numbers frequently reaching into the high 30s. For 2008 the A.M.S.A. will enjoy the opportunity to run with some of the nations top open wheel series including USAC Sprints and Midgets, KISS Sprints and the MSCS Sprints. 4 events will be run during a few of the largest open wheel events in the country including 2 during USAC sprint week, 1 during USAC midget week and one during the MSCA Nationals. Additionally the A.M.S.A. will run their third annual Mini Sprint Nationals at Lawrenceburg early in the season featuring cars from across the country. The A.M.S.A. has already developed a reputation for developing tomorrow’s talent with its most notable alumni including Kraig Kinser and Shane Cottle with several additional drivers making the move into sprint cars in the past few years. (www.americanminisprints.com)

Midwest Mini Sprint Association (Touring)

New for 2008, the Midwest Mini Sprint Association (M.M.S.A.) is a winged, 1000cc touring series. For its inaugral season, the M.M.S.A. will visit tracks in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana with a schedule that features 35 Raceway Park, Moler Raceway Park, Brush Creek Motorsports Park, Portsmouth Raceway, Waynesfield Motorsports Park, Montpelier, Willard Speedway, Thunder Valley Raceway and Twin Cities Raceway Park. Currently the M.M.S.A. has 23 events on its schedule. The M.M.S.A. will also host a national event at Moler Raceway Park. (www.midwestminisprints.com)

The King of the Bullring offers 600cc upright competitors the opportunity to test their skills in a series that features 8 races including 4 at Moler Raceway Park and 4 at 35 Raceway Park. The series first season in existence (2007) saw over 35 different competitors take the green flag in a quest for the title of King of the Bullring.

Located just South of Lima, Ohio off of I-75, Waynesfield Motorsports Park host weekly 600cc upright, winged mini sprint racing. The track has a reputation for being lightning fast and deliverying close open wheel racing. A special event that has become very popular for Waynesfield competitors is Mini Sprint Mania which is run on a Friday and Saturday evening late in the summer. The first leg of the two day event takes place at Limaland Speedway, followed by racing at Waynesfield Motorsports Park on Saturday. The track is ¼ mile in length. (www.waynesfieldmotorsportspark.net)

Bakersfield Raceway Park located in Indiana is one of the few tracks that offers upright 600cc competition without the wings. The facility runs its races on Friday evenings and has been doing so for the last several years. Anyone wanting to test the non-wing waters needs to make a trip to this facility. The track is 1/5 mile in length. (www.bakersfieldraceway.com)

35 Raceway Park is thought to be the home of 600cc upright mini sprint racing with cars having competing at the facility since some time in the early 90s. The track runs its races on Saturday evenings. The track is 1/5 mile in length. (www.35racewaypark.com)

Thunder Valley Raceway Park also hosts 600cc upright, winged mini sprint racing. Mini sprint competitors have been visiting this 1/5 mile oval for many years now which delivers action packed racing on Friday Evenings. (www.thundervalleyracing.net)

Mini Sprint Racing 101: A Guide to Getting Started

A Must Read for Anyone Considering Upright Mini Sprint Racing

Mini Sprint Racing 101 provides a comprehensive overview for anyone considering getting behind the wheel and joining the sport. The book provides an in-depth look at the sport that will help readers answer the following questions:

There are two groups running in the Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky area this year. This will provide upright mini sprint racers an incredible opportunity to run more races than ever before. For your convenience we've created a combined look at the two groups schedules for this season.