Tony, First read the PM I sent you. This is in addition to that.
At no time did I say the Rumble series was bad. Man there was racing all day and half the night. The PA could be louder but I don't hate it. Its hard for me to get to FT Wayne, Expecially when ICE is still covering the streets yet its a 50* day LOL
No, Im not a particular fan of pavement racing. There are those here that would rather have pavement racing and thats cool by me too. And there are those who are die hard BOTH fans. To them is say thumbs up.
Yeah Tony pulled the LF a bit, I guess the no rooster tails thin applys. Nobody can tell me a rack and pinion doesn't have a advantage over a drag link. Expecially in very short track racing. DM's car and Matt Westfall were very competitive. and a couple others at the FT W show I made. Call me crazy but weren't Munchkins 1-3 in the feature? I don't discredit the drivers, Not one bit.
Chuck, again. I like the Rumble series, Great event. Expecially for the up and comming as well. Dirt would add the WILD FACTOR to it and its just MHO.
Originally Posted by Tony Barhorst:
I just want to point out a few things here. I have been a dedicated promoter of midget races, mostly of the indoor variety. We have had 20,000 people at the RCA Dome twice earlier in this decade.... But I have promoted some outdoor races...In fact I am still proud that I promoted the race at Columbus Motor Speedway in 05 that Bryan Clausen won his first National race..and made himself the youngest National winner ever... I ran that race despite the temperature dropped into the 40's from 70 degrees earlier in the week, and it was raining north of Columbus...I took a big loss...I tried to expand sprint and midgets into Columbus in 06, only to have rain...and a larger loss...I had Ryan Newman lined up....I expanded Midget week to 4 nights at Kamp in 07, with some success...and everyone knows what happened at Union County...although we did have 14 midgets and 14 sprints compete with some pretty good racing. I apoligize to fans that it didn't work out as expected. I have had a hard time finding good dirt tracks to promote with. This has all been dissapointing...The Union County race is a nightmare..burned into my memory..I will never forget the mistakes I made there.
I have to stand up for the Rumble In Fort Wayne here...Our track has proved fine racing in the winter..with plenty of action...Tony Stewart has won it 6 times...in a Munchkin yes....BUT....I have seen Tony take a Vogler Chassis to the front, in one of the most amazing displays of driving I have EVER seen...It gave many chills...and even brought a few I know to tears on seing that talent on display. Some here (INCLUDING DON MOORE) seem to diminish Tony's wins by saying it is all about the Munchkin...Thats ********....He has won 5 times at Watkins Glen...THE GUY IS GREAT...Quit giving the Munchkin all the credit!....Otherwise the Munchkin has IN NO WAY DOMINATED. Stewart had the left front of the Wild Goose up in the air 3/4's of the way around the track at Fort Wayne....
We have had entertaining races with Tony Stewart and Lou Cicconi each pulling off spectacular 360's to keep running last year...We put a spotlight on the 600s...Karts and quarter midgets...on a pretty good size track when you measure it off. I am proud of the veteran..and young up and coming drivers we have had..including guys like Dakoda Armstrong, Bryan Clausen in the 600's...Brad Loyet in the 600s...it goes on and on the talent on display...year in and year out....Geoff Kaiser..the HOSS Series champ of 08 in Don Moore's car...Matt Westfall in a Vogler Chassis.... Erik Rudolph from the east coast...Remember his name....JON STANBROUGH...DAVE DARLAND
The sentiment about..."If Rumble Series events were all on dirt..I would be at all of them"...is ironic...It is that lack of interest in pavement races that has some of the pavement events in trouble. I really respect Chuck...but it is that attitude...that really has put a question mark on pavement racing. He is not alone with that sentiment. The question is " Do fans here want pavement racing?'.....
Now in regard to Don Moore...Don has been correct in what he has said about the high costs of midget racing. I think the sport would be better off if some of his ideas were listened to. That being said...I have also had my disagreements in the past with Don..and I disagree with him here. DON...Do not put down other midget races in public...If you choose not to go...keep it to yourself..not on a public forum. You made a mistake by trashing it here.
WE in all of Midget racing need to be positive...lets not tear each other down. WHY TAKE SHOTS AT FORT WAYNE? FORT WAYNE IS A MIDGET RACING TRADITION.
Here is a video of last years action: http://www.highvistavideo.com/Video%20clip%20page.htm
Remember...we need both DIRT and PAVEMENT..That mix made Stewart, Gordon, Foyt, and Andretti GREAT.
I saw the youtube video of Bryan's win last year...and thought he did a great job of running the outside groove to win at Kemper.
Best of luck to everyone for the rest of the 09 OUTDOOR and INDOOR racing season:
Best,
Tony Barhorst
rumbleseries.com