Originally Posted by :
I've tried to stay to stay out of this, but I just don't have the ability. I am a huge supporter of Bloomington Speedway and hope this class works out for all involved. With that being said, I just don't understand the pros of this new endeavor. Its no secret that all tracks are seeing lower car counts and spectator counts than in years past. Is this due to a shortage of non wing sprintcars in the Midwest? I would say no and would venture to say that there are more cars sitting on stands in a shop than racing on a typical Indiana Friday night. Will this new 305 idea draw these cars out of hiding? Only time will tell. My fear is that the same people that swear "if I could afford an engine I'd be out here" will still be spectating and not racing. I have mini-sprint people tell me this weekly, and my response is always the same. You can run a non-wing 410 in Indiana for the same money as your pumping into your mini-sprint. I feel the current non-wing setup is your most economical and easiest formula to police that is currently out there. For a new guy, he can buy a turn key operation for around 20 grand that is capable of racing and winning. I realize that 20 grand isn't pocket change, but you better have that in your 305 spec motor if you plan on winning races while dragging a wing around. When you start limiting horsepower, things get expensive. My final question, will the paying public come in droves to witness the sheer awesomeness of an underpowered lead sled lumber around the red clay? Only time will tell.
As for the adding the class, I agree with it being a good new idea as for drawing cars out of hiding, and maybe bringing new owners out of the woodwork to build a car.
And who knows... Maybe the deep pocket 410 guys build one just because. Then you get a big name driver to 'moonlight' and do double duty one night. So last season, the kid who watched in awe as his favorite driver lapped Bloomington, is now on track with HIM in his own class...
What this shows is Bloomington trying new things and changing things in an environment that has been unchanged. This is the first step in growing the sport and trying something new to draw in new folks to the back gate, and possibly new folks to the front gate. Gotta stay on top of things and be willing to take a chance.
Einstein said: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.