Posted By: hemi_doug
Jr. Dragster question - 11/30/09 09:52 PM
So my little girl (8) wants to go racing and so I started shopping for a Jr. Dragster for her. I don't want to spend a whole lot of cash on it at first but I realize you get what you pay for. I found a digger without a motor...he wants 3500 for it. It comes with a bunch of extras including the electronics and a used fire suit....what do you guys think I ought to offer for it? I don't thing he is going to give it away but I want to make sure I'm getting a fair deal...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-Half...fLegalQ5f#v4-35
Posted By: Quicktree
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 11/30/09 09:55 PM
first make sure it's chrome moly, unless you plan on buying another one later. I would get a good name brand for future resale. it's hard to unload a no name car.
Posted By: hemi_doug
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 11/30/09 10:02 PM
So what/who are the names I should look for? Trying to ejamacate myself before plunking down the cash....
Posted By: Kevins493
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 11/30/09 10:24 PM
I'm sure I'll leave some out, but KCS, Halfscale, Motivational Tubing, Quick Kids (owner runs a duster in SS/KA out of MD), Hardens, Mike Bos, Spitzer, Ken Keir (mostly builds Comp stuff), JR race car engineering makes one now IIRC...there are several others I can't think of now.
Posted By: Quicktree
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 11/30/09 10:26 PM
yea what Kevin said we ran a light weight Spitzer for 6 years and loved it. won many big buck races. 2 time track champion and 2 time divison 2 race of champions winner.
Posted By: hemi_doug
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 11/30/09 10:32 PM
I believe it's a Half Scale Superlite...
Posted By: Kiner
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 11/30/09 10:59 PM
I think Tony Overrev has one for sale.
Posted By: VernMotor
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 11/30/09 11:15 PM
That be a great car for you !!
Posted By: n20mstr
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 12/01/09 12:17 AM
im not sure where that car is, i have a 1992 or 93 comp eng car for sale. It is chrome moly and is pretty complete. I am local and can deliver to you or easy for you to pick up, im in Ny , westchester
http://www.smallblockposse.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000951#000000
Posted By: Dads426
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 12/01/09 12:20 AM
Agree that you should make sure that it's chrome moly (strong/light/can run down to 7.90's). Half-Scale cars are very good quality and hold their value. Motors can cost $600-$4000, so for an 8 year old you need a really tame motor. Depending on what he has for the car, you may not use it for a few years (8-year olds can only run 12.90's in the 1/8th). As for clutches, I used a beefed up Salsbury for years, then went to the JR Billet clutch. I never really like the Polar (alot of people had problems with the early ones).
Be sure to buy lots of Loctite blue and Nylock fasteners. Those little one lungers will shake everything loose on the car...
As for a price; we've been out of it for some time, but $2500 for a rolling chassis is good, the electronics, clutch, tow dolly can add up the $$$$ fast, so $3000-3500 is not out of the question. Add a $600 motor and go 12.90 racing.
But, before you spend the money, see if any local tracks have a rental program. That way if she hates it you are not out $3500 which sounds like what happened to the guy selling the car (This happened to some people we know).
Running these cars is a blast. Your project will be delayed a few more years if you get into it, but the people are great. Some of our past competitors are moparts members.
Posted By: n20mstr
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 12/01/09 12:23 AM
Mine is an older car, but comes complete turnkey and has the parts to put a good motor together for later on...
Posted By: abodiesonly1
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 12/01/09 12:41 AM
That is a great car that will serve well for many years.
A small raptor motor and a sals clutch is all that will be needed to run 12.90. Both of which I have if you would be interested. I no longer use them so they're just sitting here.
You'll probably want some type of data acquisition for tuning i.e. a Digitron 54 or a Mychron 660. I prefer the Mychron.
As was stated previously, be prepared to put your project(s) on hold. I did but, you will find there are no better times with your child. The memories are priceless.
Posted By: Chassisman
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 12/01/09 01:13 AM
2 best days I ever had owning a jr. was the day I bought it and the day I sold it...that thing drove me bonkers....A V-8 is cake to tune compared to those things...LOL...but the daughter LOVED IT !!!
Posted By: moparlifer
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 12/01/09 06:25 PM
What do you want for your rapor motor. PM me
Posted By: Hunted Duck
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 12/01/09 06:48 PM
I just bought one off racingjunk about 2 months ago. Haven't raced it yet but can't wait. I will be running my car plus tunning my son's new car. Don't know how long I will be doing it, but I am going to try it. I bought a 2000 monaco chrome moly car with a motor, starter, and tow dolly for 3 grand. And I am starting out with a winning car so hoping that makes it alittle easier to start off and been talking to WildBill and Vernmotor on the phone. Have fun with it
Posted By: B G Racing
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 12/01/09 07:26 PM
Curt Jr's junior dragster is still available,one beginner engine(10 second) one Kral Blockzillia(8 second) centrifical clutch and a Polar clutch,tow dolly,battery starter,tons of spare parts and tires.$5000 firm.
Posted By: 69_6bbl_Runner
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 12/02/09 01:14 AM
I had the most fun of my life racing jr's, great people, most tracks are great with them. I had all 3 of my daughters racing them at the same time eventually. We had cars by Spitzer, Hardens, RPC, and Halfscale. I would advise to buy the absolute best car you can afford, shop for a deal, and if she loses interest you can usually get your money back if you bought a good car/parts to start with. Stay away from older "off-brand" cars as they will be a tough sell. Halfscale, Motivational are the most popular, RPC are great cars in my opinion, as are Hardens also. jrdrags.com and jrdragsterplus.com , as well as racingjunk are great places to look.
Posted By: fastmark
Re: Jr. Dragster question - 12/02/09 05:05 AM
I raced for about 5 years and had more fun with my kids than I had doing anything else in the world. WE retired at the top of our game. My daughter was too old and my Son gave it up for football. We were 7.90 racers and good ones at that. I have some Ironman and glass jr trophies to show for it. My advise is to buy the best car you can find. If you have good equipment, you will win. DO NOT BUY A CAR JUST BECAUSE YOU SEE SOMEONE ELSE WINNING IN THAT CAR! I have seen several good drivers make a sorry car look like a winner. We had Hardens. I like them because they were stiffer than most and transferred the reaction of the clutch faster than a softer car. It will not make much difference as a beginner, but if your kid gets used to a good car at first, they can be a killer driver. Get a good rapter from Blossom racing for 12.90 and get a Rhino for 7.90 to 8.90. Forget the Blockzilla stuff. It is a waste of money. Do not use the salibury clutch. It is not as consistent as the others. I liked the polars over the shock wave. My Gaged Engineering clutch would run higher mph at 7.90 than anyone else, but that is for much later. Halfscale is a good car, but I preferred the Hardens. One of Blossom's friends in MI make a good copy. I bought one of RPC first cars and it was junk. When I went to the Harden, I picked up 4 tenths! Everyone I sold my cars and motors to has won races and track championships right where we left off. Buy good stuff and you kids will will and have fun. No one likes losing because they have bad equipment. I built all my own motors so it is a task that you need to spend time on and research things so you can do your part. That is what I loved about jr racing. I did my job and the kids did theirs. We were a team and had lots of fun. Good luck. Here is what happens when your have a sucessful jr program.You loose your ride to a better driver!
