Locked / Standard • Ratchet • Idler — What’s the Difference and When to Use Each
When it comes to fine-tuning a quarter midget for oval racing, one of the most important — and often overlooked — components is the left rear hub. Whether you’re chasing more corner speed, smoother rotation, or better drive off the turn, choosing the right hub setup can make a big difference in performance.
At VastQM.com, we carry all three major styles of left rear hubs used in quarter midget racing: the Locked (Standard) Hub, the Ratchet Hub, and the Idler (Free) Hub. Each design has its purpose depending on track conditions, driver experience, and chassis setup.
Let’s break down what each one does — and when you should use it.
1. Locked / Standard Quarter Midget Hub
The traditional setup — both rear wheels drive together.
A locked or standard hub connects the left rear wheel directly to the axle, meaning both rear tires spin together at all times. This setup delivers maximum traction and drive, especially off the corners and on tracks with higher grip.
Best For:
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Rookie and beginner classes
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Heavy or tacky tracks
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Drivers who need more forward bite off the corner
Advantages:
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Simple, durable, and low-maintenance
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Provides full rear traction under acceleration
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Great for learning throttle control and consistency
Things to Know:
Because both rear tires are locked together, the inside tire can scrub speed through corners and down the straightaway due to the tire stagger (the right rear tire is slightly larger than the left rear). This creates drag and can slow the car on longer straights.
2. Quarter Midget Ratchet Hub
Frees up the car down the straights for more speed and less drag.
A ratchet hub is a clever mechanism that allows the left rear wheel to freewheel down the straightaways, while it locks under cornering load. Since quarter midgets run stagger (a larger right rear tire), the ratchet prevents the smaller left rear from dragging as the car goes straight — reducing friction and improving straight-line speed.
Best For:
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Intermediate and advanced drivers
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Medium- to high-bite tracks
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Cars needing more top-end speed and smoother acceleration
Advantages:
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Reduces rolling drag on straights
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Keeps both rears locked in the turns for drive and stability
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Improves efficiency and reduces tire wear
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Helps the car roll freer with less bind through transitions
Things to Know:
Ratchet hubs should be kept clean and lubricated so the internal pawls engage and release properly. It’s a great choice for teams looking to gain straightaway speed without sacrificing corner drive.
3. Quarter Midget Idler (Free) Hub
All about corner speed — the inside wheel spins freely.
The idler hub, also called a free hub, completely disconnects the left rear wheel from the axle. It spins freely at all times — both in the corners and down the straights. This setup minimizes rolling resistance and lets the car rotate more freely through the turns.
Best For:
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Advanced drivers
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Tight or slick oval tracks
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Teams optimizing for rotation and momentum
Advantages:
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Maximum corner rotation and minimum bind
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Reduces left rear tire wear
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Keeps the car free and smooth through turns
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Ideal for fine-tuning chassis balance on technical tracks
Things to Know:
Since the left rear doesn’t drive at all, the right rear becomes the only drive tire. That means throttle control and setup balance are crucial to avoid spinning the car or losing drive off the corner.