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BULLRING

By: Gerard Millman
In 2007, NASCAR lowered the minimum age requirement for regional level competitions from 18 to 16. In 2022, the age requirement was lowered again to 15¹. These changes reflect two trends: the average age of a NASCAR Cup Series driver is getting younger², and more kids are getting into racing than ever before³.
To get started in motorsports racing, a child normally begins with go-kart racing before gradually working up the ranks of different racing vehicles.

The progression of racing vehicles after go-karts goes like this...

 

BANDOLERO CAR

Top Speed: 80mph/129kph         Weight: 750lbs                             
First introduced in 1997 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the bandolero serves as the entry-level race car for drivers of all ages and as young as 7 years old. It was designed to be the introductory racecar for karting racers, and thus has the same brake/gas pedal configuration as a go-kart. It's also has an automatic transmission, so racers do not need to shift gears. Bandoleros racing competitions are divided into two divisions: Bandits Division (Ages 7-11) and Outlaws Division (12+). 
 

LEGEND CAR

Top Speed: 123mph/198kph         Weight: 1,100lbs                            
Legend cars were introduced to the racing world in 1992 to be an affordable option for racers ages 12 and older. These cars have tight specifications to ensure uniformity across all the racers, keeping vehicle costs low and ensuring the winner was the best driver instead of the one who spent the most money. Legend cars can go from 0 to 60mph in about 4 seconds. There are four divisions for legend car racers: Young Lions (Ages 10 -15), Semi-Pro (16+), Masters (40+), and Pro (decided of INEX judges).
 

Late Model Stock Car

Top Speed: 200mph/322kph       Weight: 3,100lbs      
                           
The Late Model Stock Car was introduced to NASCAR in the late 1970's and has since been the standard racecar for professional racers. Variations of the LMSC have been promoted in NASCAR sanctioned events, including the super late model and pro late model, but there is largely no difference between them besides engine horsepower and chassis weight. The standard LMSC has about 515 horse-power; more than double of the average midsize car.
 

3-D Racing Experience
 

Legend Car
 

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