[IndyBound]

My vote would also be to leave the history alone and call them what they are midgets. Maybe that is because I have watched midgets race all my life and know what they are. I may be in the monority in my way of thinking but I don't feel the name needs to change. Back in the day, nothing peaked the interest of a non racer more than seeing a race car being towed to an event on an open trailer. An while I realize the days of the open trailer for the most part are long gone, rather than a name change I feel the education process starts with the racers themselves. They need to do all they can to attract new fans. Try to recapture the days of towing with an open trailer by putting a picture of your race car on the stark white trailer you tow with now. One racer I know had the years schedule for their division put on the drop gate of the hauler, so when they were towing done the road you had all the bases covered, what kind of race car was inside, what division they raced with and what race track to find them at.

Allot of comments have been made in this thread about encounters with individuals that have no idea what a midget race car is. Turn that encounter into a positive, if the encounter is with someone you know personally that is not a race fan invite them to go racing with you. If it is a chance encounter in a gas station or rest stop with someone less knowledgeable than you take a minute to educate them, open up the trailer show them whats inside and tell them where to catch your next race. Keep a stack of schedules in the cab of your hauler to pass out at encounters like these.

I don't feel any racing division, be it midgets, sprints, silver crown, supermodifieds or indy cars are reinvented by a name change they are reinvented by those involved in the sport. I accepted a long time ago that our beloved open wheel racing will never get the TV coverage Nascar gets. So in my book that means it becomes the responsibilty of the racers, promoters, sanctioning body, and fans to promote their favorite open wheel division.

So no midget name change for me, just invite everyone you know to go midget racing.

Patti

P.S. Dick, sure do remember the NEMA midgets designed like suopermodifieds, beautiful race cars and usually very fast race cars.

[coxie bowman]

In all the years I've been around the MIDGETS, I have referred to them or going to the MIDGET races as: "MIDGET AUTO RACING" in EVERY MANNER.
I have always tried to make reference to it in that way. So far, the, NON RACING SMUCKS, seem to get the picture that way.

[micro94]

If they dont know what it is when you say "midgets" its not even worth explaining.We had the same problem with the micro.Cant explain that either.We just said we race midgets its easier.The simplest way if you want to though is a sprint car with a shorter wheel base and smaller motor.Thats as easy as I could ever explain it.Most people know what a sprint car is.I dont know how many times either we have been asked if we raced our micro at the go kart race last weekend.

[SpfldMile]

How about "The racecars formerly known as midgets." Seriously the name midgets is perfect. I've taken some first timers to the track. I'm sure they were thinking "Midgets...how good can this be?" Then the action starts and a new fan's eyes light up. The size of these cars may be small, but the pure racing action is something to behold.

[chassisman55]

If it aint broke, why try and fix it? The cars that run the Indy Mile are Champ Cars. Its worked since 1911, still does.
Midgets will only get laughs when you hang out with idiots. Changing everything has gotten the country just where it is now- SCREWED UP.

Not that I think it needs changed, but if somebody MADE me pick a new name I would just call it a Marchese!

[indybail]

After what? 70+ years of calling them midgets has there really ever been an issue? If it ain't broke why fix it?

[Sprints!]

Websters Dictionary - Anything small of its kind. Leave the name ALONE!!!!

[Rpracing1]

Don't think so..................................I also wanted to be post #50.

[Joltin Joe]

call them "Money Pits"