Indiana Open Wheel - View Single Post

8ball · 10/23/07, 2:16 PM

Sounds like a good idea on paper, but I can see a few problems. First of all, wasn't there a similar concept for the Ford Focus midgets? The main difference (among many others) here would be that you would be running the same track rather than traveling 400+ miles to go race at times. The track or sanctioning body would have to keep the costs down with rules like spec shocks (or a shock $$ limit), no carbon fiber, no titanium, gear rules, and some sort of tire rule. The problem there is that it becomes some sort of "spec" series which is popular with some, but there are others that say it can lead to boring racing with little passing since the cars are too equal.

Also, what is to say that the fans will accept this? I'm sure there will be some who will watch the 305/crate motor sprints and say "so when are the real sprint cars coming out?" Joe New Fan who may be at the races for his first time won't know what the difference between a 305/crate sprint and a 410, and may wonder "why are they wasting so much time running two different classes with the same cars?"

What will the modified and stock car guys that want to move up to this new series do with their old equipment especially if there is no market for it? They won't have a choice but to keep racing it if they can't get rid of it. In that case you can't just get rid of those divisions and add a limited sprint division, so in essence you will just be adding another division making the night longer for everyone.

Not trying to be Mr. Negative here, but promoters, track owners, and car owners are going to really have to look into all this before anything can happen. Who knows, maybe the mini and micro sprint crowd would jump at this kind of opportunity since it may actually be cheaper than what they are currently doing? There isn't too big of an argument for spending $40,000+ for a 410 motor and $20,000 for a roller when you can be racing for so much cheaper nowadays. Something does need to be done, but it's never as easy as it seems or something would have happened a long time ago.

10/23/07, 2:16 PM	#2 Re: carburated crate motor sprints?
8ball Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 29	Sounds like a good idea on paper, but I can see a few problems. First of all, wasn't there a similar concept for the Ford Focus midgets? The main difference (among many others) here would be that you would be running the same track rather than traveling 400+ miles to go race at times. The track or sanctioning body would have to keep the costs down with rules like spec shocks (or a shock $$ limit), no carbon fiber, no titanium, gear rules, and some sort of tire rule. The problem there is that it becomes some sort of "spec" series which is popular with some, but there are others that say it can lead to boring racing with little passing since the cars are too equal. Also, what is to say that the fans will accept this? I'm sure there will be some who will watch the 305/crate motor sprints and say "so when are the real sprint cars coming out?" Joe New Fan who may be at the races for his first time won't know what the difference between a 305/crate sprint and a 410, and may wonder "why are they wasting so much time running two different classes with the same cars?" What will the modified and stock car guys that want to move up to this new series do with their old equipment especially if there is no market for it? They won't have a choice but to keep racing it if they can't get rid of it. In that case you can't just get rid of those divisions and add a limited sprint division, so in essence you will just be adding another division making the night longer for everyone. Not trying to be Mr. Negative here, but promoters, track owners, and car owners are going to really have to look into all this before anything can happen. Who knows, maybe the mini and micro sprint crowd would jump at this kind of opportunity since it may actually be cheaper than what they are currently doing? There isn't too big of an argument for spending $40,000+ for a 410 motor and $20,000 for a roller when you can be racing for so much cheaper nowadays. Something does need to be done, but it's never as easy as it seems or something would have happened a long time ago.