Midget racing's identity crisis
 

I put together this article for www.open-wheels.com. I hope you all enjoy it as I know we all love this form on racing here on IOW.


http://open-wheels.com/?p=1272

If you can't build a race motor.....you can't build a street car motor into a race motor.

If you think people can't see two seconds on the track....you are a fool. 2 seconds is a lifetime. If anyone doesn't think so ...go to youtube and watch how different the racing is at a place like Angel Park. There are videos of Illini Features and Powri features on similar track conditions.

That wasn't as much a story on the identity crises of midget racing as it was propaganda.

Sprint Cars and Micros occupy all of the Niches once filled by Midgets.

There are plenty of things that could be done to the current platforms to help curb costs without introducing and mandating a new platform.

Midget Racing for the most part is headed down the road of scca where there are little to no fans and a minimal at best, payout .

If more people were less concerned on "Saving" the sport and focused more on enhancing and growing the sport, the sport would be better off.

I find it amazing how no one is able to see that when guys like Jack Calabrase and Kenny Brown come along and promote the sport from the bottom up....the health of the sport magically gets better.

You think it's a rich guy sport now....wait until you get Chevy ,Ford, Toyota and Honda all involved.

I'm not saying that I wouldn't/ won't get a motor someday and run with Illini or Badger. Lot of good people who race with them. I'm just not much for the Misinformation and rhetoric.

Midget racing suffers more from greed and apathy than anything else.

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

I do have to make a clarification on this article. Towards the end it states "Multiple attempts to get a response from USAC for this story were met with no reply." Davey Hamilton DID respond to my email tonight (3 days after I sent my 2nd of 2 emails to USAC). I understand he is super busy after just taking over the reigns of the organization. If I would have known he was going to respond tonight I would have held out for another day on the article. I will however have an article with Davey on his direction to take USAC as a whole in the coming days.

Yup, its all about the motor, nothing else.....lets just keep changing the engine platform until we save midget racing. This idea has worked flawlessly in the sprint cars, 410, 360, 305 etc.

Midget racing was at a crossroads 10 years ago, what was the solution? Create an affordable engine platform because ALL midget owners had $40,000 national motors.

Focus, Ecotec, where are we today.....still trying to eliminate ALL those $40,000 national motors to save midget racing.

Why isn't there talk about growing the sport? You know one of the big reasons sprint cars and micros are more popular? Because you can race them weekly at tracks within a hour or less travel from your home. Where can you do that with a midget? This is just one big issue that a motor wont change.

What midget motors cost 50k? Please tell me. It seems like you exaggerated the price high for a "National" motor and went to the extreme low on the small motors. You talked to a ecotech team but not a powri team? You didn't mention that powri traveled to Oklahoma and had 68 cars. You don't mention that powri west was just formed and is doing well. You pretty much only told the struggles of usac. You didn't mention that these small series purse is less than half what powri and usac pay.

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

:29::15::16:44::44::32:;)

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

As I recall, this whole "crisis" started in the late 80's, early 90's, I was just looking for something, having ran go-karts since 1958, and done a lot of travelling, as well as our local tracks, and the WKA National series. I wanted to do less travelling, and about bought a midget, but this was also about the time, I believe it was NAMARS, hooked their wagon to asphalt, and practically moved lock stock and barrel out of Indiana, and mostly Michigan, and parts West. I had been following the TQ'S for a long time, kinda in the back of my mind, and they were running most of their shows within 200 miles or less of my base, so I went looking, and bought one. I was also interested in sprint cars, but being a one man operation, figured that would be a blast, but not for long, so I settled in with the TQ. That was in 1991, and I really haven't looked back, still some travelling, but a lot less then I had been doing, so it's been my home since. The midget tho, still hasn't left my thoughts, but at todays prices, it's even more of a dream, then it was then. I believe midget racing, on a local basis, could again be a reality, but someone has to be clever enough to come up with an engine package, well under 10k, that any good mechanic can build himself. As far as I'm concerned, the TQ engine specs in use today, are as good as it gets, it lets you play and experiment, within a box, and race as cheap as anything, some are going to mortgage the farm, but it's the same in anything, but making it affordable for the majority, I feel, is the answer, and still provide a good show for the fans. I see in one other post about this weekend at Brownstown, one wants to know the order of the feature's, because he isn't interested in anything but the Sprint cars, that to me is awfully selfish, who do you think is going to put butts in the seats, and cars in the pits, to pay the purse? The support classes of course, and the sprint car guys know it, it gives them time to make changes and get ready, without a lot of hurrying, I for one, don't know any other way to do it, unless you can over charge everyone that shows up, to pay the purse, there won't be many cars in the pits, so the show goes down hill from there. Just my 2 cents worth, as usual! Bob

Who really cares what organization, what area, or who's racing where? The only concern I see is that an "AVERAGE" working person can't afford to race a midget or sprint car. Tell me how an income of $40k a year can afford a $20k motor? It does need "saved" instead of grown. I may be one of the few that enjoyed watching the Sam Isnhowers, Ted Hines, Michael Lang, Dink Glidden, Rob Parrish and people of this sort that were blue collar working people who went and could field a midget that could win at the little joints, and not be an embarrassment at the big tracks.

It's screwed up that people can't understand where racers came from since the beginning. They weren't rich or even very well off people in most cases. Try doing it now on an "AVERAGE" income, however a lot of people that THINK they are average are not. Average working people usually put asses in the stands too!

Then get a ecotech and go run one. The problem is people want to make everyone with a national motor slow down so they can compete. You don't see woo changing their engine rules to 305 rules. If you wanna run ecotechs do it, if you wanna buy a new Toyota do it. There are different divisions for this reason. I can't go run nascar but I don't think they need to make it do everyone can afford to do it. Maybe we should all race hornets for $50 to win that way it's fair to everyone. Because that's what this world has come to just give everyone a participation trophy so we don't hurt anyone's feelings.

I don't want everyone to slow down to an ecotec, i am just happy there are more and more places for me to run mine. If I could afford a "national" I would have one. There is not one cure all solution to "fix" things or to improve them, like others have said in post on here and FB, car counts are good on 1/4 miles and get shakey from there as tracks get bigger. I love midget racing and this is how I can go do it week in and week out and we are loving every minute of it.

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

Micro racing has the same problem. Everything is blamed on motors!! The world is different than it was in the 50's and 60's and so is racing. YOU HAVE TO PAY TO PLAY!!!! Pick something you can afford and race it!!!!

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

Went to a go kart race recently, guess what they were complaining about ??

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

Originally Posted by Tim Clauson:
Went to a go kart race recently, guess what they were complaining about ??

The high cost of Gasoline?? haha

I really don't feel the mechanical part of midget motors are that much different or advanced. I do believe that the electronics on midget motors have made a world of difference in performance.

I also feel that Carbon Fiber nor titanium is needed in midget racing. The costs of these products are staggering. I'd be happy to see it illegal. I'd also like to see a weight rule without the driver again.

If these products are outlawed and the weight rule changed, then lets make bolt on weight illegal also. Go back to being able to build a midget with aluminum, fiberglass, and steel bolts that makes the weight without having to bolt weight on.

Oh well opinions are like....or something like that.

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

I am by no means a fan in any way of Newt Gingrich but I saw a video once where he started out by saying " Complete the following sentence. If you cannot afford to buy a house..........." In 1973 I bought an old Supermodified so I could race at San Jose Speedway. I did so by working at a Gas station, Parts house and having 5 paper routes. It is the car in my avitar and I had no chance of ever making a Main event there, in fact running many C races is what happened. It never once occurred to me to dummy down the class because I couldn't afford a top car. I could have had a top Early model stocker for the same money but I wanted to be a part of the coolest thing I have (to this day) ever seen. 60 cars a night Pombo, Kaeding Rescino, Scott, Lioyd Beard, the names go on and on. As a result I have priceless memories and friendships that go back over 40 years. I do not recall a time when the "common man" ever won very much in upper forms of motorsports. Race after race the fast five (or so) were in the winners circle and once in awhile the little guy would sneak one in. But even "that guy " was usually a successful buisness owner who made far more than us B and C racers. I never once had a new tire on my Super. National Midget racing ALWAYS has been an ELITE form of Motorsports. It's where the boys come to play. Back then it was A.J. and Co., now it's TSR and friends. Ya wern't gonna beat 'em then, and ya aint gonna beat 'em now. But you can race 'em by buying a used 'slinger for around 15k and dropping it in. Can't afford that?? Then buy a used Stealth with a Fontana (or the like) and run Montpellier and who knows, you might sneak into a National A main at a bullring somewhere. Can't afford that? Buy a T.Q for somewhere between 4 and 8K and race local. Can't afford that??? Maybe you shouldn't be racing. There are all kinds of Sportsman Midgets running around and yes they are slower. My ol' motor builder Don Canepa said many times " Horsepower costs money, How fast do ya wanna go" R.I.P. DC

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

Ken

I was going to stay out of this discushion because I feel like I may be antagonizing a lot of people. However I think we might have been missing the point. Midgets may have a little problem with identification, partially because of the invent of Midget size cars with close to the performance potential of the Real Deal Midgets.

There is nothing wrong with calling these sub Parr cars Midgets. I recently started FB, and have noticed a few things about the past. One guy posted a newspaper clip about a race in Scottsburg Indiana. The article says 1800 people watched 10 sprint race this past weekend "1947" something. It isn't the size of the field that has decreased it is the size of the crowd that has decreased.
.
With the introduction of the new 4 valve automotive engine Midget racing to the contrary is poised for a resurgence. In the recent past motors of this potential did not exist. Can anyone imagine putting a stock Pinto Motor in a Midget :5:;). Now imagine a stock Ecotec in a Midget>>No comparison Right. :) Let the pro's do what pro's do put on one hell of a race>>>>there is also room for the guys one rung down the ladder. We all have a purpose in this life.

It would be interesting to find out how those pro's would do if the rules makers would provided a rule to allow the development of lets say a 3 liter V6 Stock block and head Motor.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...77&pnref=story

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

Originally Posted by Ken Bonnema:
I am by no means a fan in any way of Newt Gingrich but I saw a video once where he started out by saying " Complete the following sentence. If you cannot afford to buy a house..........." In 1973 I bought an old Supermodified so I could race at San Jose Speedway. I did so by working at a Gas station, Parts house and having 5 paper routes. It is the car in my avitar and I had no chance of ever making a Main event there, in fact running many C races is what happened. It never once occurred to me to dummy down the class because I couldn't afford a top car. I could have had a top Early model stocker for the same money but I wanted to be a part of the coolest thing I have (to this day) ever seen. 60 cars a night Pombo, Kaeding Rescino, Scott, Lioyd Beard, the names go on and on. As a result I have priceless memories and friendships that go back over 40 years. I do not recall a time when the "common man" ever won very much in upper forms of motorsports. Race after race the fast five (or so) were in the winners circle and once in awhile the little guy would sneak one in. But even "that guy " was usually a successful buisness owner who made far more than us B and C racers. I never once had a new tire on my Super. National Midget racing ALWAYS has been an ELITE form of Motorsports. It's where the boys come to play. Back then it was A.J. and Co., now it's TSR and friends. Ya wern't gonna beat 'em then, and ya aint gonna beat 'em now. But you can race 'em by buying a used 'slinger for around 15k and dropping it in. Can't afford that?? Then buy a used Stealth with a Fontana (or the like) and run Montpellier and who knows, you might sneak into a National A main at a bullring somewhere. Can't afford that? Buy a T.Q for somewhere between 4 and 8K and race local. Can't afford that??? Maybe you shouldn't be racing. There are all kinds of Sportsman Midgets running around and yes they are slower. My ol' motor builder Don Canepa said many times " Horsepower costs money, How fast do ya wanna go" R.I.P. DC

I grew up going to San Jose Speedway! I was born in '68 and just a kid, but the racing and atmosphere was amazing. Going to the races with my Mom, Dad and Grandpa at San Jose are still my favorite racing memories. I would give my left leg for one of the linguica sandwiches they sold! It was devastating to watch it close.

Originally Posted by Tim Clauson:
Went to a go kart race recently, guess what they were complaining about ??

Raising cost of shocks?

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

I dont know why all you guys cant veiw it as a stepping stone or ladder system. Stock base engines and than as you get better you move up to national type engines. Then see which group grows maybe you stay in the stock base maybe you move up to national type. I'm not in this to spend 40k on an engine but then again if a guy wants to and race 3 other guys go ahead. Do I want to race with 24 cars with all the same type? yes. As I see can the national guys find 24 cars to run mmmm I doubt it as I see the numbers on an off powri nite at the prairie. Out of 15 cars one nite, 5 blew up 7 were running at the end of the feature. Thats exciting to watch! Grow or save its all the same. IMO

Spec tires, and driver adjustable anything! Was referring to the go-kart post! Bob

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

Originally Posted by TQ29m:
Spec tires, and driver adjustable anything! Was referring to the go-kart post! Bob

Nope:::

Who has the best deal on tire DOPE?? They start out at Harbor freight for a hundred bucks and then proceed to put $1000.00 dollars in stock appearing Voodoo engines to out run the only driver in the whole bunch>who also happens to race one of Voodoo's Motors.

That is the way racing works>>>>>>>

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

Originally Posted by MHess:
The high cost of Gasoline?? haha

I really don't feel the mechanical part of midget motors are that much different or advanced. I do believe that the electronics on midget motors have made a world of difference in performance.

I also feel that Carbon Fiber nor titanium is needed in midget racing. The costs of these products are staggering. I'd be happy to see it illegal. I'd also like to see a weight rule without the driver again.

If these products are outlawed and the weight rule changed, then lets make bolt on weight illegal also. Go back to being able to build a midget with aluminum, fiberglass, and steel bolts that makes the weight without having to bolt weight on.

Oh well opinions are like....or something like that.

Ti and Carbon aren't the problem. People think "oh if you ban this part or that part itll make it more fair and cheaper for all".... My opinion is, if I want to spend the money on Titanium or Carbon, I should be allowed to. (Not speaking of rotating Ti), but neither has ANY performance advantage to it. If im meeting weight rules, it should not matter. If you cannot afford to buy ti, or carbon that's perfectly fine! Some people can, and some people want to.

Now we can argue a lighter car means placing weight where you want it to meet weight.... Whatever. Quit making more rules ruling out more parts, and lets all just race! Weve seen people time in and time out beat top of the line cars with hoopty's....

I can understand no rotating ti, but past that, the "no carbon/ti" rule is ridiculous.

Sincerely,
The 21 year old college student running an ecotec with titanium parts- because I worked my ass off to be able to afford nice parts.

Re: Midget racing's identity crisis
 

It doesn't matter the class go to a race that pays XX and look at the top 3 cars then go to a race that pays half that much and look at the top 3 cars and I bet you won't see a lot of difference. There are people that can and will spend what it takes to dominate no matter the pay. And it isn't going to make any difference if it's a open or "limited" class. People will find a way to buy as much horsepower and the tire/suspension combination allows. The tire/suspension package is the limiting factor.
What to me is killing the sport is all the cars sitting in garages, barn, fields, and listed in classified because the racer can no longer look their family in the face when they get home because of the start pay to weekly expense ratio. I believe the average racer builds the car they can afford and races for expense money. I also believe the outdated top heavy purse is killing the sport.

I firmly think the secret to saving the sport not so much worrying about the top few cars as making it where more racers can afford to make it to the track and still be able to buy groceries for the family