Bandolero car racing is a type of entry-level racing in the United States. Many bandolero car drivers move into Legends racing. Cars can reach in excess of 70 mph, but do not accelerate very quickly. The cars are built like miniature stock cars, with a tube frame and sheet metal cage. Drivers enter through the roof of the vehicle. Most drivers range from 8 to 16 years old, but older drivers can also race. The cars race on 1/4 mile, 3/8 mile and 4/10 mile ovals and also road courses and dirt tracks. Currently, there are 2 divisions in Bandolero racing.

History

Bandolero cars were introduced by US Legends Cars (Formerly:600 Racing, Inc.), the makers of legends cars, in 1997 to be a series of entry-level cars. The Bandolero car is a turnkey, spec-series racer designed for drivers as young as eight years old.

"We wanted something to go between a kart and a car and wanted to make it relatively simple for everybody to use," said US Legends Cars found H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler. "For example, like a kart, the Bandolero Car has left-foot braking and a centrifugal clutch so there's no shifting of gears for a new driver to worry about. Simplicity and economy of design are evident everywhere, with 150 parts making up the entire package--just half of what goes into making a Legends Car."

The Bandolero Car engine is a Briggs & Stratton

Briggs & Stratton

Briggs & Stratton is the world's largest manufacturer of air-cooled gasoline engines primarily for outdoor power equipment. Current production averages 11 million engines per year.-History:...

 570cc Vanguard engine mounted behind the driver. Small modifications have been made to the engine to bring a 20 horsepower stock engine to nearly 30 horsepower.

Specifications

• wheelbase: 70"
• overall width: 47"
• overall length: 10' 9"
• height: 34"
• engine: Briggs & Stratton Vangard (sealed)
• displacement: 570cc
• horsepower: 30 horsepower
• weight: 550 pounds
• tires: 7" X 12" BF Goodrich Tires Spec Racing
• wheels: 6" Spec Racing Wheel
• suspension: coil over shocks
• frame:full tubeframe with rollcage

Alumni

Racers who have raced bandoleros includes NASCAR

NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...

 racers Joey Logano

Joey Logano

Joseph Thomas "Joey" Logano , nicknamed "sliced bread" by Randy LaJoie, is an American stock car auto racing race car driver who currently drives the #20 Home Depot Toyota Camry in the Sprint Cup Series and the #20 GameStop/Sport Clips Toyota Camry in the Nationwide Series for Joe Gibbs...

, David Ragan

David Ragan

David Ragan, , is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He has previously driven the #6 Roush Fenway Racing ford, but is currently looking for a ride for the 2012 season...

, and Reed Sorenson

Reed Sorenson

Bradley Reed Sorenson is an American NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #82 MacDonald Motorsports Dodge Charger in the Nationwide Series...

.