One thing that has always amazed me about racing is the inability and/or unwillingness of the participants & race organizers to learn from those that have gone before them. I could show you copies of NSSN from any decade you choose and you would see the same arguments about cost being discussed. It happened to the midgets, it happened to the modifieds, and it has been happening for years to the sprints. Unlimited rules mean unlimited cost. If you wish to participate in an unlimited form of racing you know going in that it will be expensive. If you have a limited budget you need to participate in a class that has rules to limit expenses. Don't jump into an unlimited class and b***h about costs - you knew that going in. Most Indiana sprint car racers are of the blue collar variety. They work regular jobs and have limited funds to race with. There has to be some rules for the class to survive. Engine rules are difficult and time consuming to police. A smaller, harder compound tire is the most sensible way to limit costs. In addition to obviously reducing your tire bill it will reduce your engine costs as you won't need all that horsepower and won't be able to use it even if you have it. Tires are easily checked for size, compound, and whether they have been treated or not. Also, a side benefit of smaller tires would be the fact that you would most likely have better tracks to race on as they wouldn't be torn up by the huge RR's, thereby saving even more money in shocks and other torn up parts. JMO