I am well aware of the definition of hobby, however I do think it was rather presumptuous for Mr. Lee to take it upon himself to say that. He does not speak for all TQ organizations.

"perhaps what Mr. Lee was saying is, it can be a hobby as well, espeically when compared to $$ spent in the upper divisions. I know personally, it is for me, I've got no desire to move up, but I can run competively in the TQ series."

I'm pretty sure that A.J.'s post summed it up pretty well. For a lot of the drivers in the TQ ranks, it's a hobby, period. Also, you have to look at the money spent and money made. Yes, there's not a lot of racing that you can make a living at, but USAC for example, is one that you can. So, since you can't make a living at TQ racing, wouldn't it be a hobby? I also agree, UMRA has produced some great talent in the past. However, things change and some people get tired of the same kind of things happening every year. So, they go elsewhere, which is no big deal. It's not about one series saying something wrong. It's about the fact that people want to race, period. I must say, they have a right to race with whoever they choose, no matter what is said...

I agree that people want to race, but I believe Shawn, that most of that was a backhanded insult to the UMRA, but I consider the source. If the UMRA had said the same thing you probably would have been the first one complaining.

From the Autosports Radio Archives (starting at approx 12:50):

Gary Lee:

When I first met these two they said it's the Midwest TQ's, a new era in TQ racing. I thought oh that's a pretty good throw away line. But in fact it is a new era because several things have changed.

The payout is much larger. Cause realize that TQ racing is not for the most part a springboard on to sprint cars and midgets, or whatever. It's a hobby. These guys instead of buying a bass boat have a TQ.

So they've raised the purse, especially for the guys that are racing at the back of the pack. They've lowered the cost to register. They've increased the insurance. Doubling the major medical that they had last year and what another organization has.

We also have what is kind of fun. Instead of a trophy dash we're calling it a "Duel for Fuel" sponsored by Jackson Oil & Solvents...

I'm sorry but if that second paragraph is a backhand insult to another TQ club I just don't see it. IMHO saying something is a hobby is not derogatory in any way. Saying it's a hobby does not mean there isn't any competition.

No matter which TQ club you are going to race with aren't you doing it for fun?

Long time....get over it, you obviously have an agenda.

I believe TheOneintheMiddle had hit the nail on the head. Most folks do this for fun and giggles, and that is fine by me. But if you want to try to move up, then it is important to be with a organization that can help get exposure and will help it be less expensive for you on the way up. I believe that is what the MTQRL is pursuing.

Tony hung around long enough to get noticed by the "big boys". We gave him some of the best equipment he ever wrecked. (if you ain't wreckin', you ain't racin'.) You can't blame him for moving up when he did. He told us from the very start that he was going to race in the Indy 500. It didn't take him long to get there either. He was fun to watch, but was is Eric Fehrman.

Given the amount of TV time and press that we get in TQ's, I can see how Gary Lee see's things. We (Dwenger's) were only in it for a hobby, but I am pretty sure we could have kicked a@@ if we wanted to move up. Only a small percentage of us really want to move up. If we find a place that has good competition and good people to be around, why move?

If you are not going to make a living at racing, it IS a hobby. If you are planning to MAKE a living racing, (good luck,) TQ's are a good stepping stone to a bigger class, IF you have the right stuff.

At best, this is a "wash". However, I do have to give the point to Mr. Lee on this one.

Now, Let us go racing!!!

Charlie Dwenger
MTQRL Chief Official