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For the very first time auto makers are producing smaller>lighter>and much more competitive engines. It is possible to take one of these engines and install it in a Midget Chassis and be somewhat competitive with the National Midget engine costing Much Much more. In the past the automotive engine be it the v8 60>Iron Duke>VW> or Pinto required a lot of modification to make them suitable for racing.

As Keith stated we now have engines that can perform quite competitively even without expensive internal work or for that matter even extensive port work. You haven't noticed the difference. If someone could build a class around a stock block>stock cylinder head>and stock rotating assembly and be competitive with much more expensive purpose built engines, wouldn't it make sense to build a class around it. Chett has proven that this type of engine can win against purpose built motors.

I see he won again using a purpose built engine last night. Lets not put too much importance in driving ability however. Right now his driving ability has seemed to have got him in a little hot water racing with the D II racers (they know that it is the engine and not the driver) The question to them would be how many of them are good enough to win when racing at Montpelier against that class of competition. Good drivers can make a $hit Box look good. I think I understand you feelings for the standard Midget race car. The newer motors are changing every year getting smaller and more efficient with every change. They have introduced ideas like forced induction that has always been taboo in open wheel racing, electronic engine management and electronic injection. All of these changes have gone into the formula that makes them so competitive. I realize for a guy used to looking at a little gauges and popping pills all night long it does not make sense to have a little black box that does the pill popping thing by the mili-second as required.

I don't pretend that that these engines are the cure to everything, but if they make it inexpensive enough for local tracks to support them and aspiring racers could race close to home and aspire to one day make it up to the Major League>>> then they will have done Midget racing a service.

At 68 years old I am slowing down in the doing department BUT that does not prevent my mind from asking why the heck not. I enjoy our conservations.

Honest Dad himself