Quarter Midget Racing coming to Ritzville

RITZVILLE - Quarter Midget Racing is coming to Ritzville.

Amber Geary said approval from the fairgrounds and the Quarter Midget Racing Association was received to build a track above the Wheat Land Fairgrounds.

Geary said they are in the process of finding funds and sponsorships, and hope to begin building the track this summer.

The Geary family held an "Arrive and Drive" at Pete's Towing for kids ages 4 to 16 to try out the sport Saturday and Sunday, April 24-25.

The Geary's belong to the Little Wheels Quarter Midget Association, located in Pierce County, since there aren't yet any tracks in this region.

"Most tracks are on the west side, and we have been wanting a club over here for awhile," Geary said.

"The Arrive and Drive gives provides an opportunity for kids who have never tried the sport to give it a go. We bring the car, safety

gear and driving suits, and put kids in the car to see if they like it," Geary said. "It's fun racing, but sometimes you have to get in a car to try it out to be sure. Then it's up to the parents to get them a car and get them involved."

Geary said 75 kids showed up for the Arrive and Drive event.

Quarter Midget Racing cars are scaled down to 1/4th the size of an actual midget race car, powered by a small single-cylinder engine similar to a lawn mower's. Quarter Midget tracks are 1/20th of a mile, oval tracks.

For the Arrive and Drive event, the Geary family set up a track with tires donated by Les Schwab for kids to drive a 10-lap trial.

Hagen Carlson of Ritzville, age 11 said the event was "really fun" and he's looking forward to trying it again. Carlson helped during both days of the event, recording names of drivers to receive certificates after finishing the course.

"He was a big help. I told him Saturday, if he didn't show up Sunday I would come looking for him," laughed Brenda Geary, whose husband Randy Geary, son Randy Geary Jr., daughter-in-law Amber, grandsons Sean Geary and Brendon Shope, and granddaughter Kaylee Geary along with family friend Ayiana Betts helped run the event.

Rylan Geary of Ritzville, age 5, recently finished novice driver training, a requirement for new drivers of any age. Rylan was happy to share her car with interested participants at the Arrive and Drive.

Asked if she enjoyed the sport, Rylan Geary gave two thumbs up.

Amber Geary said racing is scheduled for every weekend in May, and continues throughout the summer.

The cars have a variety of safety features including roll cages, nerf bars, restrictor plates for younger drivers, and bumpers. For novices, there is also a handler shut-off switch.

"It's safer than riding a bicycle or a dirt bike or a four-wheeler," Amber Geary said. "With the safety equipment, they are basically decked out like Nascar."

Safety equipment for each child includes a neck brace, helmet, fire-retardant gloves and driving suit, and a five-point harness seatbelt.

Benefits of racing include increased coordination, self-reliance, learning safe driving skills and a sense of responsibility.

There are eight cars on a track at a time, and a flagger lets drivers know when to go single file or side by side. Some of the older drivers go as fast as 30 mph.

"The novice class goes 20-25 laps, and some of the fastest laps can be done in six to seven seconds if they don't spin out," Amber Geary said.

She said one big benefit of the sport was the whole family can be involved.

"It's a great way for the families to get more involved with their kids. All the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles can be included," she said. "They can be their handlers (assisting on the track), and be fully involved with their kids. Rylan and her dad have gotten super closer, with him being her handler. It's great to see those relationships build. He works a lot, so it's a way for them to spend time together."

"We've been involved with this for 30 years," Brenda Geary said. She and Randy Sr. started one of the only Quarter Midget Parts Sales and Service businesses, called G & G Speed.

"It's in a trailer, so they travel wherever the races and grandkids are," Amber Geary said. "Grandpa Randy Geary, Sr. is in the Quarter Midget Hall of Fame. He is known for building motors, pit carts and wagons. He used to be a driver's trainer."

The initial cost of racing is the car, safety equipment and membership fees. Then come race fees, replacing parts and tires.

"How much you want to spend is up to the individual," Amber Geary said. "Many of the members would be happy to share their thoughts on that, and their own experiences."

G & G Speed can be reached at 360 540 0200 to answer any questions.