Re: Some Solutions for the Betterment of Midget Racing
 

Last nights race was ok not great but ok. Now these little suckers got out of hand after the VW was replaced by the Cosworth. Now we do know that tracks can be really good. Eating tires that is just to much. I as a fan I did buy a RR tire or two for a low dollar guy. After buying a tire once they came over to me and said they were offered a free tire if they would run it that night. ( the tire seller) Different than what we agreed upon I said yes! Then when I went to Ascot, I wanted to see my tire on that car. They used it up on me. In the last ten years there seems to be no more heavy tracks, and the tire can't take it.
JJ we heard, would do some tire testing later on after the track was closed up in the AM. Now did those tires improve I don't know. This was at Manzy.
Joe

Re: Some Solutions for the Betterment of Midget Racing
 

How many extra officials would it take to enforce this? Wouldn't you just about have to have an official in every pit spot to keep track of how many tires a team used over the course of the evening?

But if you elimiante pit passes for the midgets, you're going to have to do it for all the support classes, as well.

This also sounds like a rule that would be borderline unenforceable.


I do agree with all of these ideas.

Re: Some Solutions for the Betterment of Midget Racing
 

Tires would be stamped.

Not advocating eliminating pit passes. Only for owners (1 per car ) and Driver.

correct me if I'm wrong, but a magnet will not stick to titanium.

Re: Some Solutions for the Betterment of Midget Racing
 

I completely agree with everything you've said Don. Midgets were built back in the day to run on the 1/4 miles, sprints on the 1/2 miles, and silver crown on the miles. Tracks make a lot of the difference about racing. I just got back from Pennsylvania last week, and am extremely happy we race in Indiana, the tracks are smaller and racier. Out there, they are so used to running on big tracks that you almost lose sense of a good race. The people there went absolutely crazy, for a race that I don't even think 6 cars passed each other. Just depends if you want to see a high speed freight train, or something that is an actual race with cars from top to bottom.

I don't see why this has gotten away. Well, actually I do, because nobody is building new quarter mile tracks anymore. Everybody is making them bigger, faster, scarier, and farther out of reach for the weekend racer. I've only been to the Burg once since it was redone, and honestly, was impressed with the facility, but the racing left much to be desired. It was still a decent race, and I left pleased, but I'd still rather go watch a race at Gas City or Kokomo, just because the racing is closer. No, it's not as fast, but racing isn't ALLLLLLL about speed.

These are changes that aren't going to happen overnight. You can easily do these things by allowing time to use the motors, tires, carbon fiber parts, titanium parts, specialty cars, etc... They don't last forever. You work it out over time, and you know what, you'll even have people get into the sport because of those changes probably before they even need to in order to get their feet wet.

Re: Some Solutions for the Betterment of Midget Racing
 

1) i too think midgets are way to fast. but i'm not for sealed engines. i would like to see all motors cut their cu. in. by 15 to 20 percent. make the motors small enough so you could use production base part. if you wanted. this could really cut cost. 2) pay less money to win (top 3 or 4) and more money for places 12 thru 22. i feel most top teams the prize money means very little anyways. the owners in places 12-22 it means a lot. (for us small teams) i can't understand how people thinks it's o.k. for owners to leave 1, 2 or 3 hundred dollars at the race track every time we show up. harder tires could help. let people spend money if they want to, (on new tires) but don't let it be a handicap to the people who don't want to spend money.
times have changed. more place to spend your entertainment dollars. more family's spend time doing things as a family, not dads and sons. or just dads going out by them self's any more. work times have changed. my blue collar friends use to start work at 7 or 8 a.m. now most start at 5 to 6 a.m. hard to stay out late when to start work at 5 a.m. would it really be that bad if the races were over at 8:30 or 9 p.m.? so you could get home early if you wanted. or stay and hang out and visit in the pits for an hour or so.

Re: Some Solutions for the Betterment of Midget Racing
 

While 8:30 or 9:00 might be a bit of a reach, I do essentially agree with this. Last year at the POWRi micro show at Washington, MO, they had to be done by 8:00 because of a Huey Lewis concert on the fairgrounds. But because of this, almost all of the 5,000 folks in attendence stuck around and went down to the pits after the feature. Think how much that might have grown the sport. I wonder how many of those casual fans would've headed straight to their cars if the show had gotten done at 10:30 or 11:00?

Bottom line, I've said this before, but I firmly believe that we will see more and more tracks with early curfews in the near future. The recession has probably slowed down home building around tracks for a year or two, but that will take care of itself eventually.

Re: Some Solutions for the Betterment of Midget Racing
 

It is great to see you back on here Don.

#5 If it is just for the one owner and the driver I can go with that.

#12.5 Self Starters never worked before and I really don't care for starters in the Silver Crown series

#15 If we did that then tracks like Eldora, Knoxville, Belleville, and Terre Haute would be gone on the dirt sude and IRP and Newton would be gone in pavement

Re: Some Solutions for the Betterment of Midget Racing
 

Reduce the speed of midget,
Add starters,
stay off 1/2 and 1 miles,
use low cost eco-tech motor.
Hey Don, thats called the FOCUS series. If you want boring slow racing Don I suggest you buy a Focus.

Re: Some Solutions for the Betterment of Midget Racing
 

I didn't know that you were in the advice business too.

Re: Some Solutions for the Betterment of Midget Racing
 

Reprinted from similar topic - MidgetMadness.Com


My thoughts concerning the steady decline in car count would also have to note the decline in spectator attendance as I think one is the product of the other. Further , my observations would primarily address pavement Midgets as I believe that over on the dirt side a somewhat healthier environment is found but certainly not sustainable in the long term. Pavement Midgets are in a depressed state in the very short term.

I agree that the often heard argument citing the Chili Bowl is not a legitimate barometer to gauge the overall health of the sport.

While many believe that uncontrolled costs have led to fewer competitors , a cheaper engine or narrower tire will not put people back in the stands.

I believe that somehow Midget Racing will have to completely reinvent itself to survive going into the next decade. And someone will have to step-up to be the leader in this effort. The premier sanctioning body in this regard would be the United States Auto Club and from such position should come the leadership to save our sport.
Will USAC step-up ? .... probably not , because the rule book would have to be completely rewritten , long established relationships with tire companies , engine manufacturers , chassis builders , etc. would be sacrificed or at least opened up to other suppliers.

As a first step , USAC should conduct a national series only , no regional divisions. The national series and schedule would be comprised of a collection of the most prestigious events throughout the nation and held at the best venues / facilities.

The former regional series ( USAC and others ) that has typically seen 15 to 20 races at a half dozen different tracks ( and including co-sanctions ) would become local racers , at local tracks hosting weekly events , and racing for a track championship.

The UMARA group , that primarily operates their schedule out of the Grundy County Speedway in Morris , Illinois is a great example and in evidence of one presenting a quality product at a better than average facility , professional event conduct , promotion , and cognizant of what their fan base expects and perceives as value for their entertainment dollar. This group would only grow and benefit from the elimination of the Indiana USAC regional series. The same could be achieved by tracks or localized groups throughout other parts of the country. Racers would realize costs savings , venues would be more profitable , as the local midget racer could once again vie for his local track championship. This would be a first step to bring renewed attention to the sport and starting at a local level , not regional.

This would be a great step as something that could be achieved before the tougher issues such as $30,000 engines and new tires every night are solved.

I believe that if USAC would ever back away from the local venue sanction and be content to grow only on the national stage , that midget racing could start the long climb back.



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