I think you are missing the point and I know a little bit about this topic. The engine will be a sealed engine ala' Focus, but with substancially more power. It is the intent to make the engine as (or more) reliable than the Focus engine, thus you have almost eliminated any engine maintence expense from your budget (there are Focus engines with 70+ shows still running up front). The engine will still cost you south of $10k and should provide Esslinger ST power.

All I read on boards is about the cost of racing, here is a solution that addresses the barrier to entry for the working class individual. Racers and fans alike should be applauding the move as an alternative for somone who cannot or chooses to not spend truckloads of cash on a motor.

With the budgets of the top midget teams the time is right for a national spec midget program where the motors can be run somewhat competitively with regional groups (NEMA, WMRA, BCRA, etc). If the ASCS is moving forward with their program it will help the other "splinter" groups. I did some calculations, and it is cheaper to competitively run a Focus program (on dirt) for free, than to race a full midget with USAC. It is not about how much you make at the races, it is about how much you lose overall. And if you can reduce the motor cost and control your tire cost you are already ahead.

Next season we will have 3 cars with this new engine. Right now when we run our cars with Focus engines we actually come out ahead when we race with them (we also race to finish and do not tear up our stuff), and we only get paid $150 (average per car). With the new engine we might even slip into the winners circle every now and then it will be a bonus. But our goal is to race and have fun doing so and still be able to afford to send our daughter to Stanford or Harvard.

Individuals that understand this and are working to promote cost control racing should be applauded.

Let's face it, no-one racing midgets with USAC, BADGER, ARDC, BCRA, WMRA, etc. is making money doing so, thus you should focus on reducing/eliminating the your loss. Thus if as a racer you can control your costs, the purse will be a bonus not your focal point.