Racing a full-sized car is a costly and time-consuming endeavor. Consider the hauling, the wrenching, and the logistics of finding a crew—and by crew, I mean a mechanically savvy friend who’s just happy to be involved. There are plenty of balls to juggle when putting together a racing effort, so, understandably, some like to take a less complicated route when available.

Fortunately, there are a number of ChampCar outfits looking to help the aspiring driver who would like to show up, sit in the seat, race, and drive home without any busted knuckles. For the person who’d like to try racing without having to make a massive investment and find space for a trailer, here are a few teams willing to lend a car and mechanical support.

TLM Racing

Specializing in BMW, this team fields a wide range of ChampCar Endurance Series prepped cars, including a BMW 325, 328, 330, and M3. For the driver with little to no experience, it’s no concern; TLM Racing offers coaching to get a novice up to pace quickly. For a little extra seat time, they support track days and lapping days as well.

For more information on this outfit, contact David Tuaty at (305) 216-5390 or TLMUSA.COM.

KSR Performance & Fabrication

KSR Performance & Fabrication are multiple winners with a proven track record over multiple vehicle platforms. Their cars—regular front-runners—have shown great pace and reliability in numerous ChumpCar events, some of which we’ve covered here. They also offer other track day support for your other track toys, and ensure their clients are quick with coaching and data analysis services as well.

For more information on this team, which operate out of Gainesville, Florida, contact them via their Facebook page or at [email protected].

Nine Four Motorsports

Based out of Walton Beach, Florida, Nine Four Motorsports strive to provide reliable and competitive cars through all of their Arrive and Drive programs. With the intention of softening the transition into wheel-to-wheel racing, Nine Four Motorsports can tailor an Arrive and Drive program to fit your needs. Additionally, they provide prep, maintenance, and track service of your race car.

For those looking to climb the motorsports ladder, Nine Four Motorsports can help on the publicity side of things. Their professional appearance and reputation can maximize a sponsor’s positive exposure. For more information, contact them at [email protected] or ninefourmotorsports.com.

Boston Whiners

New Englanders looking to try their hands in a BMW E30 can consult the Boston Whiners: a competitive team who offer good cars at a great price. To try and keep costs reasonable and expand the ChampCar fraternity, they price their track days by the track—primarily the Northeastern tracks like Thompson, Loudon, Watkins Glen, and Calabogie.

For speed, service, and a sense of humor, contact the Whiners at

www.silverstonemotorcars.com or [email protected].

InActiv Motorsports

Like the best ChampCar teams, this Central Florida-based team runs a Mazda 626—generously nicknamed the “626B.”

InActiv cater to racers on the East Coast looking for the full Arrive and Drive experience, and prefer to build upon the skills of experienced wheel to wheel drivers.

For more information, please e-mail [email protected] for schedule, availability, and rates. Additional information can be found at their Facebook page.

E Racing

Servicing the Palm Beach area, E Racing offers Arrive and Drive programs in a relaxed atmosphere. Their BMW 325, better known as Ella, has quite the reputation in ChampCar thanks to its striking livery and track record.

For more information on this lighthearted team, contact them via their Facebook page or call them at

(561) 972-0136.

Chattahoochee Motorsports

Interested in having the most agile car on the grid? This Georgia-based team fields an accurate Miata that finishes races. They specialize in turning greener drivers into safe, competent racers with speed and racecraft in equal measure. Their experience is full-service; providing all the support so all you do is focus on racing. To build racing skills in a distraction-free environment, visit their Facebook page or email them at [email protected].

Mean Green Racing

With one of the quickest cars on the grid, Mean Green Racing aim to provide customers with a front-running experience. Their ’97 Civic hatch uses a barking B18 engine rated at 200 horsepower, and with five years’ worth of ChampCar experience and an 85% finishing rate, they aim to achieve a podium whenever possible. For the odd moment when those mechanical gremlins rear their ugly heads, Mean Green bring along spare engines and spare transmissions to get their driver back in the heat of competition.

For more information, contact Mean Green Racing at (678) 787-0047, or e-mail them at [email protected].

Lake Effect Racing

Based out of Lake County, Ohio, Lake Effect Racing aims to race ChampCar’s mid-western events with one of the sportiest cars on the grid. Their professionally-built Ford Focus formerly raced in the Pirelli World Challenge, but has since been converted to run in ChampCar’s B Class. Currently, they’re looking for two drivers to complete a six-driver team, and expect those in the seat to post consistent lap times and race cleanly.

For those looking to improve their endurance racing skills with a serious team, contact Lake Effect at [email protected], or consult their Facebook page.

DriveSport

The last of the teams currently catering to the Arrive and Drive crowd, this Canadian team field an E30 and race at Watkins Glen as well as Virginia International Raceway. For more information, visit their website or e-mail them at [email protected].

There are many ways to enter racing, and many of them are laden with headaches. To try your hand at racing or improve in the hands of an experienced team, consult one of those named above—you won’t regret it.