Probably because no one offered USAC a kick back on a deal before, you you scratch my back I'll scratch yours JMO JMO only.

No way this motor, at 650 hp, could run with the 900+ that guys like
Levi and Stanbrough have. JMO
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According to their website, it is the GM LS7 Aluminum block.

Jake.

I see it's "JMO" but I agree you are right. It is aimed at competing with the 360s of Western States (and ostensibly the new little deal USAC has in FL). A turn key engine at $18k that can compete with current 360s. Its the almost impossible dream. But something has to happen. And soon.

Right now in Florida the so-called Owner's Alliance of six pavement tracks has suggested to the TBARA series a purse structure for next year of $4500 TOTAL. It came out to $435 to win $175 to start. Promoters say they can't draw fans to support a premium purse show anymore. I think these numbers are a first try at renegotiating purses and hopefully a compromise can be made.

The fact is the sport has to keep cutting costs and raising competitive value or we will be priced out of existence. Indiana non wing racing may be among the healthiest of what's left for weekly sprint car racing. There are other 'hotbeds' that are on life support now.
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Wasn't it just a couple years ago that Jesse Hockett ran 3rd at Eldora with a 360? And didn't a lot of Bill Biddle's sprint cars run 360's in them at the smaller tracks? Power is always the name of the game, and what people have to remember, is that this is meant for someone to get into the sport, or to keep racing, not to make Stanbrough or Levi switch to this style of motor.

That maybe true, but at some point, sometime, a transition needs to begin. With the economy limping along like it is, this seems like it just might be as good a time as any? As Scott mentioned the "life support" issue, this is the sort of thing may help?... Better to be proactive, JMO.

I think it's a great deal as it is offered as an option and not a mandate.

As far as saving racing areas on "life support".....doubt it. You could make the cars free and most people couldn't go racing.

The problems facing short track racing are pretty deep and with each newer and cheaper class that is added...the problems grow deeper.

I think I gotta agree with ya Scott, it's hard to take the "bow" out of something, without effecting both ends, altho those numbers seem pretty dramatic to some, at least the guys on the low end in finishing positions, get something, and maybe it will encourage an old adage"birds of a feather, flock together", in other words, there would be more fit the low end of the cost structure, so they would tend to run together. I found out long before I ever tried anything else, even tho I had not had any trouble with the Old Honda SOHC in my TQ, that if I continued to run them, I'd be out of beans in a little bit. I shopped the internet, and came up with an engine that fit the rules, and didn't require a boatload of aftermarket, high dollar parts, to be competitive, and that's what I did, and never looked back. Why spend $1200.00 for special rods, when stock rods are good for 16k rpms, same with pistons, the stock ones are forged. I can buy 4, used rods, and 4 used pistons for $20.00 + shipping, new rod bolts for $32.00 a set, and a bike motor with 4-8k on it, is just really getting broke in, so in most cases I don't even put in new rings or bearings, same with the head, they sell all the time for less than $50.00, and that's complete with cams, ready to bolt on. People don't believe me, but I don't care, if I had to run what everyone else was running, I'd be one less in the car count. I ran one motor, just built really as a dummy, for most of 3 seasons, and had less than $400.00 in it, now I can afford to pull to the track, and race. What I'm saying is this, it's like Scott says, if the fans don't sit in the seats, and the racers can't afford to race, an alternative has to be found. It is what it is, and if you have your ear to the ground, you see a lot of cutbacks in all levels, lets just hope we can hang on. Not intended to pertain that much to Sprint Cars, cause if I could afford one, that's what I'd own, but I believe the principal is along similar lines, if everyone had to use the "high dollar spread", racing, and race tracks would be few and far between, I hope it never comes to that, I come from the age when anyone who wanted to, could build their own stuff, and race 7 nights a week, and have the stands full everynight, but I also realize that isn't on the way back. Bob