FOWL

CLASSIFIEDS

The Florida Open Wheel Lites association was established to foster, encourage, and promote Open Wheel Lites racing events that are fun, safe, and competitive which, at the same time, remain affordable to the widest possible group of racing aficionados. The Florida Open Wheel Lites association was also created to foster, encourage, and promote amateur Open Wheel Lites racing by supporting standard racing and construction rules, scheduling races at a variety of racetracks, and coordinating racing schedules with similar racing associations. Membership in Florida Open Wheel Lites is open to any individual whose purpose or interest is the furtherance of Open Wheel Lites racing.

What Is an Open Wheel Lite?

Open Wheel Lites are 5/8 scale models of American made production vehicles manufactured between 1928 and 1948. The body styles have no fenders and include two door sedans, coupes and pick up trucks. Open Wheel Lites are powered by regular production four-cycle motorcycle engines, which have a maximum displacement of 1250cc and four cylinders. The minimum weight, including the driver, is 1250 pounds.F.O.W.L. Technical positions

Open Wheel Lites combine the no fender look of past NASCAR racecars with modern suspension systems very similar to those in Open Wheel Modifieds. Open Wheel Lites are high performance racecars that are economical to race.

How Did It Start?

Open Wheel Lites originated in Phoenix, Arizona. Open Wheel Lites were originally called Dwarf Cars. Ernie Adams was instrumental in the creation of Dwarf Cars in 1980. Dwarf Cars were created out of a desire to build an affordable racecar that would be fun to drive and inexpensive to operate. Open Wheel Lites (the modern name for Dwarf Cars) are the fastest growing segment in racing, with national organizations and regional championship titles. Open Wheel Lites National Points Races are held every year during Speedweeks at Daytona in February, with cars from across the nation participating. There are also numerous other national and regional events around the USA. In most parts of the country, there are Open Wheel Lites races at many local tracks in any given local area. In some areas, they are still called Dwarf Cars.

An Open Wheel Lite Is Not A Toy!

Although it is small and "cute", an Open Wheel Lite is definitely not a toy. It is a real racecar that is capable of top speeds in excess of 140 mile per hour. It has performance and a power-to-weight ratio that is better than a late model. The minimum permissible ready-to-race weight is 1250 pounds, including the driver. The typical engine produces more than 160 horsepower. To have equivalent performance, a 3800 pound racecar would have to have more than 500 horsepower. A good Open Wheel Lite driver can turn better times than the Late Models, when running on similar tires.

The Costs of Open Wheel Lite Racing.

The cost of owning and racing a Open Wheel Lite is minimal. A basic, turnkey, race ready car can be picked up for an average cost of $3000 to $4000. Fast cars that are capable of finishing in the top of the field cost an average of $6500, while consistently winning models run in the $8,000 to $15,000 range. This is not bad for a car that has a horsepower to weight ratio better than a Late Model, with the entire operation costing less than one of their motors. Open Wheel Lites cost per lap is very small. Pit entries are generally in the $20.00 range per person and you will use less than 5 gallons of gas in an evening of racing. When properly prepared, operated, and maintained, the engines will last several seasons. In fact, some highly competitive racers have run the same engine for 4 or 5 years without a major overhaul. Regular oil and filter changes, spark plug changes, and normal maintenance are usually all that are required between races, excluding an accident. If DOT tires are used, they will usually last an entire season and their cost is reasonable. With everything factored in, Open Wheel Lites cost less than any other form of high performance, highly competitive racing. This means that the need for sponsors is minimal. The average Open Wheel Lite racer can race regularly and still maintain a healthy relationship at home.

Who Do I Contact?

If you are interested in joining Florida Open Wheel Lites, LLC or need more information on Open Wheel Lites, contact Rick Lundeen at (904) 781 8496. Or Jason Stout @ (904) 219 1854 0r @ joker4fsu@netzero.com