The Dwarf Car Story
Dwarf cars are 5/8 scale replica models of vintage 1928-1948 American made automobiles.
They have full steel roll cages; sheet metal bodies, and powered by 4 cylinder motorcycle
engines up to 1220cc. They have full racing suspension and are capable of speeds over
100 mph on the straight-aways. With their size and quickness, they are perfectly suited to
dirt track oval racing.
Dwarf cars started as a hobby during the 1980's in Phoenix, with the original idea of
providing economical racing to people who were just starting out or who could no longer
afford to keep up with the escalating costs of full size classes. The hobby has grown
quickly to become the hottest class in auto racing today.
The reasons are simple:
Dwarf cars have a look that appeals to a wide variety of fans. Their "antique" look brings
back the glory days when open wheel hotrods were the stars of the show on Friday and
Saturday nights. For the younger fans, their size and shape makes them interesting to
watch and cheer for.
Dwarf cars use motorcycle engines as power plants, bringing interest from outside the
normal "auto" racing crowd. Not just Fords and Chevy's fighting it out, but Suzuki,
Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Honda as well. The sound of 4 cylinders at 11,000 rpm has quite
an appeal! The weight to horsepower ratio is even greater than a full size late model stock
car.
Dwarf cars are "real" racecars, not family go-karts. With modern design suspension, Dwarf
cars are achieving speeds similar to the fastest full size cars.
Dwarf cars are inexpensive to buy. A brand new roller car, complete less engine, drive
shaft, and headers is $6,995. Most engines are supplied through the salvage pool and
typically cost between $1,500 and $2,500. Sometimes you can find a used dwarf car ready
to race for under $3500.
Dwarf cars are economical to operate too. The costs to race a competitive full size car
range from $200 for a sportsman type late model to $1000 in a sprint car per race and that's
if nothing gets torn up! Dwarf cars, on the other hand, cost less than $25 per race, for fuel
and an oil change. The cost-per-racing lap is the lowest in motor sports today.
Dwarf cars are 5/8 scale replica models of vintage 1928-1948 American made automobiles.
They have full steel roll cages; sheet metal bodies, and powered by 4 cylinder motorcycle
engines up to 1220cc. They have full racing suspension and are capable of speeds over
100 mph on the straight-aways. With their size and quickness, they are perfectly suited to
dirt track oval racing.
Dwarf cars started as a hobby during the 1980's in Phoenix, with the original idea of
providing economical racing to people who were just starting out or who could no longer
afford to keep up with the escalating costs of full size classes. The hobby has grown
quickly to become the hottest class in auto racing today.
The reasons are simple:
Dwarf cars have a look that appeals to a wide variety of fans. Their "antique" look brings
back the glory days when open wheel hotrods were the stars of the show on Friday and
Saturday nights. For the younger fans, their size and shape makes them interesting to
watch and cheer for.
Dwarf cars use motorcycle engines as power plants, bringing interest from outside the
normal "auto" racing crowd. Not just Fords and Chevy's fighting it out, but Suzuki,
Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Honda as well. The sound of 4 cylinders at 11,000 rpm has quite
an appeal! The weight to horsepower ratio is even greater than a full size late model stock
car.
Dwarf cars are "real" racecars, not family go-karts. With modern design suspension, Dwarf
cars are achieving speeds similar to the fastest full size cars.
Dwarf cars are inexpensive to buy. A brand new roller car, complete less engine, drive
shaft, and headers is $6,995. Most engines are supplied through the salvage pool and
typically cost between $1,500 and $2,500. Sometimes you can find a used dwarf car ready
to race for under $3500.
Dwarf cars are economical to operate too. The costs to race a competitive full size car
range from $200 for a sportsman type late model to $1000 in a sprint car per race and that's
if nothing gets torn up! Dwarf cars, on the other hand, cost less than $25 per race, for fuel
and an oil change. The cost-per-racing lap is the lowest in motor sports today.