If we stayed off the 1/2 Mile or bigger tracks we would lose the Copper World Pavement, the Hut 100, the Night Before the 500,Turkey Nite, 3 Crown and the race coming up that is becoming more and more popular leading up to the brickyard.

Some say: Good Riddance; midgets on the 1/2 miles and miles are too fast and dangerous. Problem is; there are between 30 and 50 plus cars that run many of these races. Obviously some people like racing at these tracks. The irony to this is that we(including me) complain about the cost of pavement racing, but the big shows on pavement outdraw the big shows on dirt.

I can honestly say: If the Midgets ran on 3 Dirt Miles a year, I would still own one because I really like racing them on those tracks. I can't afford a SC at this time, but for me, a midget would be great. Thats just me. I love that type of racing.


If we are saying don't worry what USAC does, then why care the size of track they race. I think Powri and ARDC have it right in they do their own thing. While I believe the ARDC is a little knee jerk on some decisions, it's their deal and they run as seen fit. They have come back from the dead.

As far as Badger goes; I would have to research the situation to get a better idea of the situation. The fact that the Wilke family doesn't run there each week anymore accounts for two-three cars, but they are still racing. Personally, I think this is a great time for guys who want to run the Prarie but don't have A plus cars. You are going to make shows and probably run top 10.

Don, I agree the initial cost for shocks is staggering, but it's how it's looked at and as the market for the shock business changes, and it's changing rapidly; I think you will see the repair costs come down alot for those who can't rebuild them themselves.

Mark,

You are a good man and you always put a real nice car on the track - I'll always have a lot of respect for you and what you do. And, I really don't think we are having much of a disagreement here. In fact, your team was a perfect example of what I'm talking about. I'll say it one more time - I really don't favor any kind of one-design engine formula for National Midgets. I'll define "National" as any group that can bring thier membership to Bellville or ORP and hang with the front runners. These days, any group that can do that has some members that don't mind spending a lot of money.

Now, we can talk all day about how to get to a point where guys can buy a wrecked Pinto at the junkyard, change the oil filter, and go win Bellville. I'm not sayin' I'm FOR that or AGAINST that - I'm just sayin' it ain't gonna happen. Ever. I don't make the rules - I just know what they are...

I did the focus program so that competitors - you and your son are a perfect example - could get INTO Midget Racing. I never meant for it to be the final destination, only the starting point. And, nobody can deny that for all its faults, the program got a whole lot of new drivers into the Midgets. Look at the finishing order of just about any Big Sprint or Midget race these days and you'll see that ~1/4 to 1/3 of the competitors graduated from the Focus division. That is all I ever intended the program to do.

Now this new engine program is something a little different. It offers a whole bunch more performance than the last one. But, I STILL don't see it as something that could/should replace the National division, or even be PART of it. Frankly, I don't WANT to be part of that mess...

You stated that you believed ALL Midget Racing, even regional, should be professional racing. Well, I agree with that too. But the reality - the cold hard facts - are that at this level, today, Professional regional Midget racing just does not pencil out. Much of the debate within this thread centers around ways to MAKE it pencil out. I believe there is more than one way to do it - my solution is just one of them.

Best of luck,

Keith

Oh how I love these threads.... so many idea's.... so little action.

I am sure we have all heard the saying, "the definition of insanity is to do the same thing, but expect different results". Midget racing is synonomous with insanity.

Without knowing all the individuals on this post, I know that at least two of us (Keith and I) are putting our money where our mouth is to create something new (i.e. a 360 Midget Division).

If you really want to change something, it is not done on message boards. You can use message boards to get the word out, but the rhetoric changes nothing (although it might make us feel better for a fleeting moment). You have to get out and make it happen. It is simple (although a lot of work)... decide what you think is best and start a series. If you are an owner, change your cars to the rules and start running them. Sell your idea to your local tracks and other racers, get some shows and race. If you are right, your car counts will keep growing, and eventually you will race for better purses. Just like a successful track owner you have to be willing to promote. I have actually found it to be just as rewarding as racing.

I will spare you my story, but I can tell you using the simple concepts of cost control via a sealed spec engine (more than one choice), spec tire, and limiting travel. Our little group has grown from 2 cars to 8, in less than a year. Doing a joint race with the BCRA last weekend saw a field of 12 cars (remember we are less than a year old). A year from now I really think we will have close to 20 cars in our group. Why, the average guy can afford to race with us. We look like midgets, the cars perform like midgets and we put on a good show. A show that will get better as more of our guys transition to the EcoTec engine.

If I can create something, so can all of you. If you really want to change midget racing you have it in your power to do so. If we all work in our areas to create the same thing, collectively we will set the path of future generations of midget racers. When and if that happens, it will be something to be proud of.

If you truly want to stop the insanity drop me a line, I would be happy to help.

Good Luck
Rick Young
www.capitalcitymidgets.com

... Here is a shot of Rick Young driving the #98 RAM Racing / RRE Chevy ECOtec. This was taken at Placerville, last Saturday. Getting rudely shoved out of the way is Lonny Alton driving a SuperFocus car.

I did not "rudely" shove him out of the way, I gave him two warning bumps that I was coming through. After all it really was not my fault, I was not used to driving a car with that much torque and I kept going in way to hot

For any of you interested in this engine, it rocks.

Sounds like these guys have a plan and it's working. Congratulations. Very refreshing to hear about something that is going in the right direction.

Rick,

I'm sorry, but I must disagree. Where I come from, using another competitors car to correct a loose condition is considered bad form...

Unfortunately for you, the evidence is well documented. Next time use the wrenches.

Good thing for him you weren't driving your Lotus. That driver obviously didn't realize the importance of the person he was dealing with.

What are the payouts going to be once the series gets established with car counts of twenty plus?

1st- he should have known, I am the one that gave him an engine so he could race

2nd - tough question, one that I do not have an answer for right now. I would hope with 20+ cars on a consistent basis we would get to the point where we get $200+ per car. But it is not just car count that will get us there, there are other factors as well (i.e. the economy, competition for the race dates, value we bring to the promoters). The problem with getting the purse we want is frankly the fans. In this area they do not turn out for midget racing. We need to win them over and when that happens and the promoter can fill his stands when we are in town, then and only then will be be able to negotiate for more.

Too often we are still the undercard for a larger show, as long as that is the case you will get undercard money.

So not only do we have to build car counts, we have to build a following as well. Between the two, the car counts will be the easier to build.