If the Badger format is competitive with the USAC National Midgets, then I would expect more of them at IMW, BC39, Kokomo Gran Prix and heck, even the 4 Crown. This comment is not meant as a knock on anyone. I believe midget engines are WAY overpriced, but I also think the Badger guy’s know their limitations and why they mostly stick with their club. I applaud them for finding a package that helps expand midget racing.
We know we’re not competitive in a 30 lap feature. Davey Ray had a good run a few years back in a Badger legal Honda against national engines, but that’s a guy with a lotta laps around The Prairie.
It makes for good promotion to say “local cars and stars” are competing against the national guys, but just as it happens with WoO and other traveling groups, there’s a reason they are pros, and we are weekend warriors. Proud of Chase, Jeff, Matt, and Jack for stepping into “The Big Time”.
The track prep was terrible by Angell Park standards. My best time at the place in a 1987 Canaday 140VW in 2001 was 15.8s which would have been about 8th quick Sunday in the USAC field. That’s how bad it was. I left after the heat races. Hopefully the promoter realizes not to continue to do that but after two cars flew out of the park in July it’s been **** ever since.
Originally Posted by jonboat15:
C'mon man, I thought those engines were $170,000 and that's just a short block Injection is another 70K.
The reality is that $68,000 is a real number for a Toyota. And unless some Badger guys, Daniel Robinson and Trey Gropp run the USAC show they end up with a 16 car field, with a $17,000 purse, this past Sunday night. Not very good. By the way, Badger had 35 cars Sunday, was missing some guys who crashed on Saturday night, and had two Badger legal cars who chose to run USAC. USAC would not allow Badger guys to run both series which is a whole other subject.
Originally Posted by flagboy55:
If the Badger format is competitive with the USAC National Midgets, then I would expect more of them at IMW, BC39, Kokomo Gran Prix and heck, even the 4 Crown. This comment is not meant as a knock on anyone. I believe midget engines are WAY overpriced, but I also think the Badger guy’s know their limitations and why they mostly stick with their club. I applaud them for finding a package that helps expand midget racing.
Chase McDermand just ran second at Kokomo at a USAC Regional Midget race ahead of some Toyotas, SR-11s and Esslingers. He also qualified 10th on Sunday using a Badger legal Honda. Davey Ray and Bill Balog both ran 9th in the feature against POWRI in consecutive years at Angell Park using Badger legal engines as well. They are competitive by my definition (but I agree they are not equal). I certainly don't feel it is justifiable to pay the extra $20,000 to $40,000 for a USAC engine when the Badger engines go as fast as they do. Badger has solved the high engine cost issue. One reason Badger cars may not choose to go to a lot of other places is their weight rule. The minimum weight is 1,100 lbs with driver where other series are either 1,035lbs or 1,050lbs. Badger uses a higher weight rule to make having carbon fiber and titanium unnecessary. You can't just take off 50-65lbs overnight to go run a one off race.
Injection is another 70K.