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