Back in the Saddle: Restart Racing on a Budget

The racing industry has faced many challenges during recent months. Life pressed pause and countless auto events were cancelled because of public health concerns—from NHRA’s Southern Nationals to California Hot Rod Reunion to Mopar Express Lane Nationals. Even the coveted Hotrod Drag Week and Power Tour were canned! And those event holders determined to press on were forced to limit their capacity to just 50%. Needless to say, the pandemic had quite an effect on every gearhead’s plans for 2020.

So many people have been impacted—and yet we’re hard-pressed to find a time when enthusiasts were more connected to their hobby. For many folks, stay-at-home mandates meant extra time to focus on those long-ignored garage projects or to make some time-consuming repairs. Unfortunately, more time to play is on account of less work. And all those fun mods you have planned mean squat if you’re strapped for cash.

But the American spirit is a resilient one and, as such, things are looking up—for the racing community and for your budget. An exciting calendar of go-fast events for 2021 offers some much-needed normalcy, while we put together a list of performance products that will satisfy a need for speed without draining the bank account.

Don’t turn to fly-by-night companies to save money when reliable brands have plenty of budget-oriented product!

JET Performance Pre-Tuned Carburetors

Yes, JET Performance is in the carburetor game—in fact, that’s how the company got its start. And yes, the brand’s carbs are a few dollars more than standard offerings. But if you’re new to the sport and don’t have a stash of carburetor parts, you need to should consider their selection.

JET Performance pre-tunes its carbs so they can provide optimal performance right out of the box. That means less time swapping parts and making adjustments, which ultimately translates to cost savings for you. JET has many listings of both Rochester and Holley style carburetors. This, along with the tuning stages, makes it very easy to select the carburetor for your application.

Besides, the company’s history has solid roots in drag racing—more than a half century’s worth, to be exact. JET offers a full range of high-quality products to enhance the performance and drivability of today’s vehicles, while “maintaining love for the early stuff” as the company likes to say.

COMP Cams Xtreme Energy Cams

Always remember: you get what you pay for. And when it comes to camshafts, most “low-buck” options use sub-par materials. They’re also pretty much guaranteed to wipe out during the break-in or shortly after that. For exceptional value and power, check out the COMP Cams Xtreme Energy series.

Specifically ground to offer the low-end performance necessary for cruising through town, while still providing all that top-end power you’re craving, these cams are an excellent option for any street/strip builder looking to wake up their car without blowing their savings. Best of all, you get premium camshafts at a middle-of-the-road price tag that’s worth every penny.

“COMP Cams has never forgotten that performance is defined by results –both at the track and on the street,” says the company. “We test our products in the same places you do. That’s why, we know that every COMP Cams product will perform to the highest of standards.”

Aeroquip Fuel System Components

Another brand you ought to consider is Aeroquip, especially if you need AN fittings. Much like COMP, Aeroquip won’t be the “cheapest” option, but when racing on a budget, it will provide great value for the cost. Plus, Aeroquip offers a wide range of sizes and fitting types, making them a perfect addition to any build. And because the company is an industry leader, you know they won’t leak, warp, or damage like those one-off brands.

Fittings are far from all Aeroquip has to offer, too. A robust product line-up includes: PTFE fittings, socketless hose ends, fuel lines, adapters, wrenches, clamps and more. They have virtually anything you need to plumb up your fuel system. What’s more, the balance of quality and fair pricing is reflected in each offering.

Plus, Aeroquip’s 75+ years of experience serve as some impressive leverage in the aftermarket. In fact, the company’s products have been the number one choice of racing enthusiasts around the world for decades.

Derale Dyno Cool Fans

An excellent way to increase engine power is to ditch anything that bogs it down. But while that mechanical fan of yours has been a target for some time, the high prices of many electric-powered models may have you hesitating.

Derale makes it very easy to set up your hot rod with electric fans, thanks to the brand’s Dyno-Cool straight-blade or curved-blade fans. These are very affordable, universal fans that are easy to install and provide solid performance characteristics. All fans come in a comprehensive kit, as well. Depending on what part you choose, the kit can include mounting hardware, relay wire harness, wire connections and/or 180° thermostat with both thread-in water jacket probe and push-in radiator probe.

If you need a little more oomph, you can step up to the Tornado series, which is also very reasonably priced. Reliable and efficient, Derale Tornado fans use high-torque motors and an ultra-quiet blade design.

The company itself is “born, raised and inspired” in SoCal and boasts the most complete performance cooling line in the industry. With more than 60 years experience and a product line that’s made in the USA, Derale is a brand you can trust.

Competition Engineering Drag Shocks

You need to get the power to the ground. But you don’t need to break the bank on adjustable shocks. Competition Engineering is known for its competitive price points and good quality. The company’s Drag Shocks are no exception.

These shocks are available for many different domestic applications. They are entirely adjustable and cost only a little more than factory-style shocks with fixed valving. They are undoubtedly the most affordable way to get an actual performance shock on your ride.

Motive Gear Mini Spool

Figuring out gear ratios is something of a science. Of course, you likely already have a decent combination. But maybe you’re considering increasing traction in a different way. Before you go welding up the differential, you should consider a mini-spool.

These are simple little devices that slip into a differential to lock both axles together. Unlike welding the differential, you can always take them out and revert back to the stock setup. Motive Gear’s mini-spools are very affordable and very reliable. They are also much lighter than many alternatives, which is always suitable for performance.

Where do We Go From Here?

Making mods is tremendous fun, but getting to use them is even better. So, what is left to look forward to? Well, the season is slowing down, but it’s not over yet! There are still plenty of speedways with their doors open for you can get some track-time under your belt. Plus, the NHRA still has plenty of events left on its roster, including the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals and the Dodge NHRA Finals presented by Pennzoil.

While things may be awkward right now, 2021 is shaping up to be a banner year. We have no doubt that the return of the NMRA, Power Tour, and Drag Week will have some insane turnouts. Which is all the more reason for you to get that project finished!