The Berlin Lions World of Wheels

Come see these young drivers from the Silver City Quarter Midget Club in Meriden Connecticut take to the newly constructed 1/20th mile dirt oval in wheel to wheel competition. Races will be held October 4th from 10am till 4, weather permitting.

9:30 - Noon	Controlled practice for all classes
Noon - 4:00 PM	Main Race Events
4:00 - 4:30 PM	Trophy Presentations

What is Quarter Midget racing?

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, aluminum or steel, painted to the drivers preference. Surrounding the driver is a chrome-moly roll cage, nerve bars and bumpers. Seatbelts and shoulder harnesses, are also mandatory because safety is a prime consideration in this sport.

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.

Engine specifications are set by the national governing board and enforced at each local club race by track officials.

The tracks are 1/20 mile banked ovals comprised of dirt, concrete, or asphalt surfaces. Silver City's is asphalt.

Driver's Ages

The cars are driven in competitive races by kids between the ages of Five - Sixteen and are divided into 14 classes and divisions: Junior Novice, Senior Novice, Junior Honda, Senior Honda, Heavy Honda, Junior Super-stock, Senior Super-stock, Heavy Super-stock, Light Mod, Heavy Mod, Light B, Heavy B, Light A, and Heavy A.

Additionally 1/4 Midget drivers may graduate to Junior 1/2 Midgets. Junior 1/2 midget drivers may be ages 12-17.

The whole family is invited to get involved with dad as crew-chief and head-mechanic, mom working in the Tower scoring races, and big brothers and sisters working in the snack bar. Lots of little brothers and sisters can be found playing all day in the racecar trailers and motor homes. It is a great spectator sport since admission is free and we have a fantastic a snack bar track side with reasonable prices.

What benefit is there for the Child?

It is a family sport.
Quarter Midget racing is not a "drop off your kid" kind of sport, but an involved family sport. Few other sports permit all members of the family to participate. The kids do the driving while other family members serve as pit crews, chief mechanics, scorers, timekeepers, and operators of concession stand or novelty booths.
It teaches sportsmanship.
A genuine respect for the rights of other drivers seems to be a natural development.
It develops coordination, a sense of timing and the ability to plan ahead.
It teaches self reliance. Once the green flag is dropped, the kids are on their own.
It is competitive. They learn to play hard but that rules must be observed. Rule infractions will result in disqualification.
It teaches safe driving and develops driving skill. Very few people ever develop the skill that these children develop. We believe this level of skill will be invaluable as adult drivers where they will have the instinct developed to do the right thing in the unforeseen situations we all encounter.
It develops a sense of responsibility. Alertness and concern for the safety of others is acquired.
It gives the drivers a well earned right to a sense of pride of accomplishment. They stand just a little taller and are a little more confident after becoming a Quarter Midget Driver.

Many people after seeing their first race feel that they are seeing a group of children far above average in ability. Most of us in the sport remember when we had the same impression. True, some drivers develop faster than others but almost all become skilled, competitive, alert and safe drivers. It is almost 100% certain that your child will too.