Remember when Terre Haute did a Calcuta [sp] for the Hulman Classic. Normally who ever who that won more than the race paid at times. They use to have a party in town and all the businessmen would group up and buy a driver.
The best days were racing at Terre Haute while the fair was on.

The locals at everytrack have to be a part of the big show. Racing today is show up and race and head home right after. No passion anymore. It's all big money and keeping up with the Jones. Look a few years ago with JJ and the sway bar? Did it work? Didn't matter JJ had it and was beating everybody so everybody needed one.

That stuff drivers the cost of racing up to the teams but doesn't make any difference at the front gate with the fans who pay the bills for the tracks.

Nobody would go for it but the cost of racing would go down if a National rule requiring a sealed spec motor of 9 to 1. Everybody can build their own motors if they have to but most choose to buy from an engine manufacter. If you had a 600 HP sealed motor that cost 10,000 that lasted a full season, cost would go down. But that's pie in the sky. Just like making the rear tire 2 inches narrower. Nobody wants to give up what they have now. Maybe the head deal isn't that bad of a deal.

But if everybody had a good long lasting cheap engine then it becomes a Drivers series that all they can do is adjust the cars and drive them. It would equal up the field.

The fans want to see close racing, they can't tell or care if they run a 22 second lap or a 20 second lap as long as the field is close and wheel to wheel. Look at Daytona[sorry] From 205 mph to 190 change and it tighten up the racing. Too tight for a fast place like Daytona.

People like to say well go to the 360 rule. I think the price is about the same as a 410. I'm sure somebody here knows they cost. Are they better for racing??? I don't think so but I have seen some fast big dollar 360's.

I think maybe some rules changes might help some.But I think the big thing needed is what Kevin Miller spoke of on our show. Promotion!!!

He said that USAC will be helping and working more in that area in 2008 and beyond. The cost of promotion for the tracks is very large. TV ads, Radio ads, Posters, Personal apperances, TV Media coverage of per race events and on site promotions.

We like to think that there are Millions of open wheel fans, if that was the case then TV ratings would be up a lot compared to what they really are. Buyt the fact is look at your local track or USAC event and who many people do you see at the races that you have seen before. Promotion will bring in NEW fans. Once a track can fill their grandstands then the money can increase. Ask a track operator about their cost sometime. Insurance, food, purse, security, help, promotion, rentals, printing, water for the track, push trucks, water trucks and equipment. The day of making a lot of money is gone for the tracks.

Then what about the cost of going to the races as a fan, team or even the track owner. All has increased with the rise of the cost of oil.

Another problem is the cost of land will take some tracks soon, like it did at Hinsdale. You can hardly build a new track today with all the restrictions you must meet.

Is there a cure?????
I'm happy with what we have but would like to see it get better for the future for everybody.

:dologob: