Go Inside the World of Youth Racing
Is your child interested in getting started in racing? Does your child have a genuine impulse for racing and a bold need for speed?
Go Fast Girls (GFG) is an apparel brand that represents a 'FAST' society of female racers, a lifestyle driven by swiftness and high-speeds, and the chase to empower girls and women alike to go faster and push the boundaries of motorsports and action sports. It doesn’t get any better than this when you are talking about the world of youth racing.
The founders of GFG recognized the ongoing gender inequality in the world of actions sports and motorsports. They also acknowledged there wasn't a brand geared for speed queens. There are many forms of youth racing available in the United States to give kids the edge on racing — and hopefully inspire the start of a professional racing career.
Go-Karts
Go-karts is the most popular form of youth racing. First level: kid kart/flat kart level as young as 3 or 4 years old. Second level: At 8 years old, youth can begin moving up into the junior divisions — full size go-karts with restricted engines. These engines vary in horsepower but roughly range from 6-14 hp and very in speed from 30-60 mph depending on age/class.
Check out: The Best Go Kart Accessories for Beginners
Quarter Midget
Quarter midget racing is one of the most popular forms of youth racing. Many quarter midget races are sanctioned by USAC, the United States Auto Club. Quarter midgets are quarter sized versions of a full-size midget. These cars race primarily on small asphalt ovals (roughly 1/20th to 1/10th mile tracks) but can also race on concrete or dirt.
Junior Drag
Junior drag racing is mini versions of the loud, high speed NHRA Top Fuel dragsters. Kids from 5-17 years old can compete in different divisions — and the fun part is these junior dragsters can go as fast as 85 mph. The NHRA has over 100 member tracks that offer weekly junior drag racing leagues where kids can race to earn points towards a championship.
The Cost of Youth Racing
On average youth racing costs $5,000-$10,000 to get started. Most racecars and trailers hold their value if maintained properly. On average, you can spend $500-$1,000 per year for your child to race an entire season. Additionally, compared to other sports, there’s many more ways to fund your child’s racing through sponsorship, donations, fundraisers, merchandise sales — and checkered flag prize money.
Passing on the Torch
There isn’t a driver in Formula One who didn’t start their career in karting.
A.J. Foyt, Johnny Rutherford, Swede Savage, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Jimmy Vasser, and Ryan Newman — all started in a quarter-midget racing. Joey Logano started racing quarter-midgets at age six. Jeff Gordon started racing quarter-midgets at age five — and eagerly won a championship by age eight.
Sarah Fisher was born into an Ohioan family with a background in racing and began competing at the age of five when her parents entered her in quarter-midget race before progressing to karting three years later. She won three World Karting Association championships and she subsequently progressed into sprint car racing, the Indy Racing League, and the NASCAR West Series.
