Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

I just recieved a email from Gayle Kamp and the Midget week date at Kamp motor speedway on Aug 5th has been removed and will not be rescheduled due to the Ultimate Challange. USAC told them they could have the Finale on Moday night but it wouldn't count for IMW points. You would think with USAC tring to expand their fan base and grow their number of tracks a better resolution could have been fund.

The more things change the more they remain the same.

Clod Dodger

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Drive near the corner of Georgetown and 16th in Speedway, Indiana.
Take a big sniff. Smell that gunsmoke? USAC just shot themselves in the foot again, IMO.
I think Kamp should forget USAC.:moon:
To screw a track that had been on the ISW and IMW schedule last season, and is (or was) on both again this season just so USAC can sanction a big event for promoters with no previous connection with USAC?? WTH?? Is that how Mopar did business?
Sometimes USAC makes it really tough for me to remain loyal after all these years.......

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Unfortunately, they got themselves in a tight spot and it was going to be a bad deal no matter what they did.

Personally, I still can't understand how it made sense to add Union County to the week, but I guess we all have to hope that it is worthy of a race after having an excellent track taken off the schedule now!

I really hope Kamp is added again next year, and things are mapped out well enough to be able to include both the Oskaloosa race and a full slate of Indiana Midget Week races....

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Hey Kids! Put on your Mario and Michael Andretti masks! It's gripe time!:rolleyes::headbang:sleep:

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Looks like a simple case of USAC doing what they thinks best for USAC and Kamp doing whats Best for Kamp as well. No surprise when you figure several of the top USAC Sprint guys would go to the Sprint race regardless. I don't blame Bob and Gayle either, why should they take a Back Seat to a Race in Iowa? To me its a case of USAC catering to 5 or 6 of there Prima-Dona's.....Again, no surprise, either way...

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Those 5 or 6 "prima donnas" are what make the National Midget Series mean something and also certify that Oskaloosa is a legitimate event....and last I knew, that wasn't a very good description of Dave Darland, Jerry Coons, Jr., Levi Jones, etc.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Sometimes I believe they want people pissed at them! ***:help::usac:

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Without getting into finger pointing or name calling and speaking just as a fan, this news is very disappointing.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Oskaloosa was a legtitimate event long before USAC got involved.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Sometimes stuff happens and no one is at fault.:idea:

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

The basic trade off here is Union County in place of Kamp.:thumbsdown: That isn't even close.:headbang As PJ said, very disappointing.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

I don't think it's as basic as that. Maybe the new regime at USAC thought it was better to be associated with a $30,000 to win race in Iowa than be in Boswell, IN mid week. I know Kamp is an awsome track that puts on goo racing but if the new mindset at USAC is to broaden its horizons then this would seem a step in the right direction.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Dwight,

You always seem to find the right words. :respect:

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Im with Dwight on this. We have the same number of races as last year anyway. I feel bad for Kamp and hope that maybe they could get another date for one of the series. They've been good stepping up to the plate. It was clearly the best attended show I went too last years Midget week.

Chuck, saying at least they are letting us know now and not raceday.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

You would have thought they could straighten this out I was wondering what happened when Kamp posted there schedule and the first of august was not listed for midget week.I thought did make a great effort to run there two open wheel races last year especially the sprint week they stepped up to the plate big time with the weather forecast and ran the show.The midget week show was great they had a lot of cars both midgets and sprints and the format was great and the show was nice and it looks like it was one of the highest fan counts of the week why would you not want to go back there I was hoping to see more open wheel racing at Kamp this year not less.As for Osky it has been on its own since they started running this show no need to add a sanctioning body now to it should have left it under the touring topless week and went racing.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

While Im sure there have been disasters. A few of the best Sprint Car races I've seen both Winged and Non Winged were at Union County.

If they got good clay and water it, YEEHAW!. One thing I really like about it is the tightness of it. The backstraight is closer to the stands than any other track I've been too.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

There fixed!If ya want to be involved with a $30,000 race have one on your own.

BOSWELL gave them a place to race when they needed one! And this is the thanks they get?

Drive 8 hours for one race that won't have a rain date.:icon_smile_blackeye

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Derrek-
While the Oskaloosa race has never been a USAC-sanctioned race, it has never been scheduled against, either. The head-to-head scheduling this year would have put a damper on Boswell and taken away quite a few of the headliners at Oskaloosa. McCarl would have had a hard time putting on the race again next year after that hit to a show that probably isn't an overwhelming profit to him, anyway, at least in comparison to the race he has on Monday.

Also, I'm sure USAC wanted both events to happen, but there's no way both would have been successful against each other, whether USAC sanctioned them both or not. Ultimately, one of the Midget Week races would have had to go and Union County was the obvious choice, as a newcoming track with a questionable past and not much of a following among the USAC guild. Unfortunately, that race must have already been under contract or something because it's obviously still on the schedule while Boswell, which deserves a Midget Week race as much as any other venue on that schedule, has been taken off....

The people involved who made this problem come about screwed up royally and we can only hope that Boswell comes back again next year.

And for those of you who wonder why it is a big deal for people on here, simply look back to last year's scheduling problems and all the hell it caused. And after all that, is Sharon on the schedule this year? These problems only create more for the future, and I, for one, would be extremely upset if the midgets didn't return to Boswell!

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

And Aero, whether you want to rag on it or not, Oskaloosa is a VERY important race for the USAC racer. If you want to get rid of races that pay that much, have fun watching another glorified quarter-midget series.
The reason a few guys can actually make a living is because of events like that. There is no way to have a rain date. Give them a little bit of credit and realize that they can't possibly run it at any other time. Last year sucked, but that's the way it goes. It is the biggest single-day sprint car race on the schedule, and all the badasses deserve a chance to go out there and take home the big check. I'm sure it was a huge shot in the arm to professional drivers Jerry Coons, Jr. and Levi Jones the past two races, and I sure would hate to see it go away....

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Imagine you are Kamp management. A couple of months ago you book your midget week race. USAC recieves an unforseen opportunity to have one of the two biggest traditional sprint car races in the country under their banner, Oskaloosa. They already have the other one, Perris. At Kamp you now see that your field might be somewhat diluted. But, as a businessman, you understand what USAC did. You probably would have done it yourself. The only potential backup date for your race is a Monday. Unacceptable. So, while not happy about it, you understand and step back. This type of thing happens in business every day of the week. Yes, I'm dissapointed that Kamp won't be on the IMW schedule this year. And, yes, I understand what USAC had to do. That's life. You're born, s**t happens, more s**t happens, and then you die.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

You may be right Kirk. I certainly meant no disrespect to Levi or DD or those guys. In fact, I'm not sure I ever thought of those guys in those terms at all. I guess the real point, for me at least is that USAC did what they thought is best for USAC and so did Kamp. At the same time, it makes it hard on the same tracks that have tried to help out with the Midget Week Idea. Like you said, a Hard spot for both but for me, I tend to side with the tracks in Indiana....

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Dwight,
The part where I disagree with you is that the race NEVER should have been scheduled against Oskaloosa to begin with. There were plenty of us on here who yelled about it then. Only THEN did McCarl and USAC come together to sanction this. The conflict made Oskaloosa become a USAC race. This is a race that the USAC drivers run EVERY year. It's on the SAME day. How can it get any easier to stay away from that race?

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Point well taken, Kirk.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Hi everyone, I'm back. I'd taken a break from posting anywhere, but junk like this gets under my skin.

I've lost a lost of respect for USAC the last few years and I was hoping things were headed in the right direction. Apparently not.

It all boils down to a matter of INTEGRITY and HOW you do business. Yes, I agree with Dwight that this kind of crap goes on in business everyday. Just like people are scammed and bilked everyday. Still doesn't make it right.

Bottom-line: USAC put out a publicized Midget Week schedule months ago and, much to everyone's delight, Kamp was on it.

If USAC wanted to change this and sanction the Oskaloosa dea, they should have waited until 2009. At the very least, they should have offered Kamp a "points" event for the replacement date.

I wouldn't blame Kamp if they decided to dump the ISW date and just say the hell with USAC. Bring on MSCS.

Perhaps Kamp could issue a press release about dropping future USAC affiliation like USAC did about Dave Allison last year.

As far as sanctioning events in Iowa, why? Over the last few years, I've come to realize that USAC is NOT a national touring series. Never really has been and never will be. They are Indiana-centric and they need to realize this and grow from the inner circle out. That means fostering relationships with tracks like Kamp, not remote places like Iowa where most fans only care about winged sprinters.

If you want to move out from Indiana, go to Ohio, Illinois, Michigan or Kentucky. But stick to your strongest area. The lack of races in Michigan has always puzzled me. With all of the great asphalt tracks there and some good dirt tracks.

Oh well, that's my two cents. I'm headed out the door to North Florida and Volusia for the All Star action.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

All,

The promoter of the 2007 midget week race at Kamp was Tony Barhorst - the promoter of the 2008 midget week race at Union County is Tony Barhorst

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Chuck,

In my opinion, Union County isn't half the track that Kamp is. I know that they can put on a good show there but I have seen some real poor track conditions there regularly as well. It is closer for me to go to Union County than Kamp but that doesn't matter.

Bob and Gayle have gone out of their way to host USAC last season especially sprint week.:applaud: They could have pulled the plug and gone home and very few would have said a word. They understand HOW to promote, not just open the gates and hope folks show up.

I hope that they can somehow work this deal out for 2009 and get Kamp back on the midget week schedule. USAC can't afford to lose many more tracks.:headbang This situation shouldn't have even been an issue. I can already hear the s**t if Oskaloosa is rained out and it is a beautiful night in Indiana on August 5th.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

AMEN :usac::moon: Cocoa

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

The only things I hope for in 2009 are...
a. I'm still alive and able to go racing
b. They move Midget Week to the following week so I can attend Iowa Speedweek and also USAC Midget Week...

Then there would be no conflict...Hey spridge...Any chance you can get them to move midget week back a week this year???

Theres all kinds of things I hope for in 2009...Those were were just a couple that pertain to this thread...

T

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Wow... you sure are a hard bunch to please. :D

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Bill Gardner is posting this reply for Tony Barhorst

----------------------------------------------------------------


To Indiana Open Wheel Fans,

As the promoter of last years Kamp Motor Speedway event, and this years Union County event on August 7, I have to respond.

None of the changes regarding the date changes are USAC's fault. As in other cases, the promoters are the ones responsible. USAC really gets nailed unfairly in many, many cases, and this is one.

Here is the history of the Kamp date. I hesitated to tell the real story in public, but since I see this thread, I have to respond.

I approached USAC last May in regard to being a part of Midget Week. All the other dates were scheduled. I looked at, and spoke to other Indiana tracks before Kamp. I nearly had the event at another track. I took a hard look at Kamp, and decided to approach the owners in regard to renting the track. We reached an agreement for 07, and qualified that with "if the date goes well, I will want to return"

I then worked entirely from June until August 9 promoting that event with all my time, and resources. I invested quite a bit of money in advertising. I knew that this date needed 'new" fans from the area to make it. Thus, I hired an attraction called Megasaurus to entertain the kids for 20 minutes, and I even had him on display in Lafayette with the Brandon Wagner Race team giving away T-Shirts, radio remote etc.

The date was very well attended, and brought in good concession sales in addition to the rent I paid.

When it came time to renew the Midget Week date, my calls and e-mails to Kamp were not returned and ignored multiple times. They then attempted to schedule the date themselves, without even talking to me.
That is when they found out I had an agreement with USAC that I would have the rights to the Thursday night race during Midget Week. I have an agreement with USAC..Rollie and Greg Staab...that since I made the investment in Midget Week...that I could return. I I knew the possibility of a promoter seeing how well the date did.. and may want to take it over. I had to protect my investment. Without my date last year...Midget Week may still be a three day event. Needless to say, Kamp raised the rent considerably on me for the 08 date, making it impossible to work economically.

This is why my August 7th date was moved to Union County after a meeting with USAC. The facility there has been upgraded with new grandstands and very good lighting. The track prep issue will be attended to well in advance. Stock car tracks need instruction and more tools. The Liberty track is not like it was in the past. The fans will see good racing on another unique track.

My reasons for posting this is not to hurt Kamp...It is to tell the true story. I hope everyone comes to Midget Week with an open mind. I wish Kamp Motor Speedway the best of racing in 08.

Best Regards,
Tony Barhorst
Classic Motorsports, Inc.
www.rumbleseries.com

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Thank you Mr. Barhorst for straightening this out. This was situation that was not going to please everybody. Maybe McCarls choice to include USAC wil work out to where he will switch his wing and non wing nights so that Kamp can be included next year. I doubt if you see too much complaining from the promoters after sprintweek last year at Kamp.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Tony Barhorst,I for one want to Thank You for the explanation on this issue.I have had the opportunity on several occasions to attend the race at Osky.It is one heck of a race, needless to say that whole week in Iowa, a must see IMHO.Again Thanks for your explanation.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

:thumb

2008 O''Reilly Sprint Bandits TNT Midwest Swing:

August 11 – Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, MO)

August 12 – I-80 Speedway @ Nebraska Raceway Park (Greenwood, NE)

August 13 – State Fair Speedway (Oklahoma City, OK)

August 14 – Creek County Speedway (Sapulpa, OK)

August 15 – Lakeside Speedway (Kansas City, KS)

August 16 – Lakeside Speedway (Kansas City, KS) - $10,000 to win

http://www.sprintbandits.com. http://www.ascsracing.com/

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Unfortunately, this week is land-locked now.

Oskaloosa will not be changing dates. The winged guys will not be real happy to run on a Tuesday, so you can pretty much guarantee the non-winged race will be that night.

That leaves five nights after that for Midget Week to happen, and now we have six tracks who would want dates. You can't move it up a week, as that's Belleville. You can't move it back a week unless you can find a way to work with the Springfield Silver Crown race.

They can obviously move the week to another part of the calendar, but it's gonna take some pretty hard thinking....

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Ironically, the track that could work the best with the Springfield SC race is Kamp!

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Now if only USAC could move the 2008 Salem Sprint Car race to another date, this would be an idea travel schedule. Without the change of date, it really burdens the car owners and drivers that run BOTH Sprints and midgets and will be expensive to all.

Fans at the Midget Nationals AND especially Drivers could head straight to Oskaloosa, Iowa after the Midget Nationals and have a little break before the Indiana Midget week.

7/29/2008 Junction Motor Speedway USAC National Midget Car Series
7/30/2008 Junction Motor Speedway USAC National Midget Car Series
8/1/2008 Belleville High Banks 31st Annual Belleville Midget Nationals
8/2/2008 Belleville High Banks 31st Annual Belleville Midget Nationals
8/3/2008 Salem Speedway USAC National Sprint Car Series
8/5/2008 Southern Iowa Speedway USAC National Sprint Car Series
8/6/2008 Gas City I-69 Speedway USAC National Midget Car Series
8/7/2008 Union County Speedway USAC National Midget Car Series
8/8/2008 Bloomington Speedway USAC National Midget Car Series
8/9/2008 Lawrenceburg Speedway USAC National Midget Car Series
8/10/2008 Kokomo Speedway USAC National Midget Car Series

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

I'd guess that those of us who have posted on this have already worried more about it than Bob and Gayle. As they have said many times, they are on the line for Sprint Car Racing, but they are in the Hart of LateModel country. No matter What Class of Racing you see, you will Always Get 100 percent from them and Kamp Motor Speedway. Hopefully, for the Midget Fans, Midget Week will grow into a success and Kamp will again be a part of it in the future...

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Well said, Wolfe-e.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

I agree. Never been there but it's been a success.

Re: Indiana Midget Week Schedule Changes
 

Has anybody noticed that Gas City runs against the PowerI race at Little Belleville?:thumbsdown: