Pit Passes
Entry Fees
Exclusive Tire Deals
Dedicated Pavement Cars
$40,000+ Midget Engines
Xtra Cubes Awarded To Certain Engine Manufacturers
Titanium Engine & Race Parts
Drivers/Owners Paying Promoters To Entertain

What do all of the above have in common? These are issues that the racing community, especially midget racing, is currently experiencing. These issues didn't just appear all over the country overnight. They started somewhere in the United States at some point in time and have grown out of control. Someone came up with an idea and it was allowed to happen, grow and explode into a major cancer on the racing community. Someone started it and it grew and it grew and it grew till it was out of control. In the arbor world we have the Emerald Ash Borer that, for example, started in one county in Ohio and has now invaded all 88 counties and is destroying every Ash tree in its path. In the racing world the above list of items is doing much the same thing across America.

Now we have a new kid on the block. The "double pit pass" charge, or is it the triple pit pass charge or even quadruple. For those that aren't familiar with this practice it's not new. It's been practiced here and there in the past. This is the act of promoters reaching in your pocket at the back gate, specifically drivers and owners. If you are racing in two classes, they want double pit pass money. Three classes, triple money and so on. Where this practice first got started, I have no idea... maybe at a promoters convention where they possibly trade ideas on how to squeeze every dime out the racers. This practice is currently not wide spread but could take off soon. In fact, I mentioned this practice in a recent conversation with a promoter and his reaction? "Don't give me ideas." Take what he said seriously, people.

In another IOW thread, two fans asked me why was I involved in speaking out against this practice. Every racer in America should be outraged at this practice. Will this practice spread across the U. S.? I hope not. The only way a practice such as this is going to be shot down is if the racers don't allow it. Whatever it takes to not let it happen including refusing to race at tracks that endorse this practice.