ARDC & USAC to merge
 

This week's Area Auto Racing News carries the announcement that ARDC is to merge with USAC. ARDC president Wayne Lesher made the announcement to current members. The story says that USAC will take over all the administrative functions of ARDC and will provide "a greater range of benefits in competitor insurance". It appears the USAC/ARDC relationship will be similar to the USAC/CRA sprint car relationship.

Levi Jones will be at an ARDC meeting in early December.

It will be interesting to hear from current ARDC members.

Re: ARDC & USAC to merge
 

I heard this rumor at the Gold Crown. ARDC had a tough year this year, and I believe this was a long term survival move.

Re: ARDC & USAC to merge
 

I hope it's a move that saves midget racing here in the east.

USAC needs to take care of themselves besides midget week and the Gold Crown they have nothing! The Gold Crown wasn't that good this year the car count was terrible because power I wasn't there to help.USAC needs all the help it can get with their midget program.

Re: ARDC & USAC to merge
 

Me too. I always hit the USAC/ ARDC meets in Pa., excellent....

Re: ARDC & USAC to merge
 

That's a pretty negative post, but I agree with the positive part: Thoroughly enjoyed my first POWRi race at Belleville in September, great car count, super competitive....
All these organizations should figure out how to cooperate for the betterment of the sport

Re: ARDC & USAC to merge
 

How many of the 14 cars that were at Granite City earlier in the year were at the Gold Crown? I would guess most of them.

Re: ARDC & USAC to merge
 

Hey Brent, you were one of the people who recommended I go to Belleville POWRi midget race.
Thanks, you were right!:6:

$10k per cylinder is ludicrous.

It has been a while since I looked through the ARDC rules and engine platforms in detail, but aren't they quite a bit different than USAC? They allow Gearte style engines (older push rod type) the same 174 displacement that they offer the Fontana engine (or used to). Esslingers are limited on displacement and cylinder head type (only 1of3 is allowed). Just seems like a bad move if you are trying to "grow" midget racing in your area. It is hard to grow your weekly base if you alienate their equipment. One of the ways ARDC was able to keep their steady membership in the past was by supressing the unlimited resources type mentality with regards to engines. This seems like a direct move away from what has made them successful.