Ya know something, Don, I don't know you from a sled of Green Beans, you could be the Jolly Green Giant, for all I know, but I know this, we do share something in common, a love to race, and a nagging feeling, when things don't seem to be level. People that know me, have heard the same story from me, that you said about the intertainment. Can you imagine the look on Roy Clark's face, and he's a funny guy, when he pulls his convoy up to the gates, at the Hoosier Dome, 20 yrs ago, and they start counting all the people with him, and ask him if he's gonna pay for all of them, or will it be individual? Then, they tell him how much it'll cost him to park, where the stage is and the seats, so HE can set them up, and then tell him he'll have to clean up, when the show is over! I to, have foolishly thought there was something wrong with this picture, and I still haven't gotten an answer, that made it right. Not only that, but then we're expected to take our race cars, and go out and "prepare" the track, so we can race on it, but it never changes, it's one of those deals like I've heard a lot of lately, supply and demand, we have an urge to race, so we have to pay to play. I don't recall ever, being asked, how much I would charge, to do this, but they decide how much to pay us. I realize, it's a spectator sport, not a stick and ball game, where the players get paid, to do what they love to do, but that's the way it's always been, and I been around a long time, and I talk to a few racers older than me, and they don't remember it being any different either, so I guess if you're addicted to a race car, ya just gotta figure out how much you can stand, and pick a spot, and hang on. I have another saying, that my wife doesn't appreciate, but I had my eye exam a couple months ago, and I couldn't resist, th guy was about done, and I asked him, "do you see anyone in there, that looks like they give a $hit"? When they got him revived, he laughed and said, "no, I sure didn't". I'll leave you with that, and hope SamSr has good luck with reinventing the Sprint car scene, I was at Dayton's Auction about 10 years ago, and watched 2 guys, bidding on OLD Sprint cars, and buying them for a song, and happened to be at the loading area, when they were loading them, and they stuck the forks under one old relic, and when they lifted it up, everything dangled, and I made another comment, "gee, first time I ever saw one, with 4 wheel, independent suspension", and one of them turned and said, we're taking these back to, somewhere West, and we put Pinto's in them, and race,and rent em, and we make good money. Did you ever see 2, sprint cars, double stacked, in an 8 ft pickup bed? By golly, they did it, and as they left, I thought to myself, now those guys are serious, they're gonna make some money,and have a lot of fun. Bob

MR. Spridgeon,

Sounds like you've just endorsed this thread and not know it.

Here's what I think should happen. The US Government should declare the state of Indiana a National Midget Disaster Zone. With only four (4) short track dirt USAC shows and only 22 cars (17 teams) showing up for the Hut Hundred, the racing capital of the world should now be St. Louis, Missouri. POWRi seems to be able to schedule dozens of short track dirt races within a reasonable geographic zone. I don't know. Apparently they have a product that promoters want and they want it at a lot of tracks several times a season. Plus they are responsible for the richest midget race ever. So, that's the way it is. Maybe a government bailout is in order here.

And that's great for the regional midget racers.
You're talking about two totally different arenas.

You never answered the question about your allusion to a decreasing number of midget races in Indiana. There have not been many dirt midget races in Indiana since NAMARS folded. Why? Because there is no Regional midget series in Indiana like there is in Illinois/Missouri. USAC is a National Series - they don't and they should not have a "regular" track (such as POWRi's Little Belleville, or, to a greater extent, Badger's Sun Prairie). If there were a NAMARS-like body still around, maybe there would be a few more short-track races in the Indiana/Ohio area, but it's not USAC's job to fill your quota of a quarter-mile dirt midget race every weekend. They have plenty of other races to run (and not just in the midget division).

From what I see, USAC has a decent (it still needs work) schedule of 33 midget races, including the three cornerstone, high-paying dirt midget races in the country. They have 21 dirt races on tracks small and large.

Yeah and only 12 people (maybe less so I hear) in the entire United States can afford to chase that ancient $2500. The spin is makin' me dizzy.

Don,

Even I won't be drawn into a comparison of today's midget situation and the racism that existed in the deep south. One is a voluntary situation and I am pretty sure the other was not. Although since they have done a 360, I am sure the new administration will taking a close look at it.

We went from tires to engines to now the promotors and the various fees. Not all of which I disagree with you on, but this is a voluntary class system that exists in racing because we all offer to be a part of it. I agree that it is not completely fair, but then others will say it's not fair that a guy who spends $1,000 on tires for the year is treated the same as the guy who spends $50,000. Of course you can make a very strong argument that $50,000 is absolutely rediculous.

While I don't like the tire deal today, I will make the concession that it is actually more fair in many repects today because in the "Good 'Ol Days" many drivers and teams got tires that no one else could get. Not only could you not get them on discount, you couldn't get them period. The only way we where ever able to get them in the early '80's was when Bill could run consistantly up front and could give good feedback. Today you run into batch problems or tires being a little softer or harder due to curing time. To my knowledge though, they seem to be pretty fair and equal.

I think you have a great set-up Don. I think that in many ways you do it for the right reason(you love to) and you do it smartly. I think that anytime you show up and race it's an asset to the sport. When you decide to quit, it will be a loss to the sport.

If for some reason someone doesn't like a particular group or place where they race, then they should find somewhere else to fit in where they are more comfortable. I agree that Powri looks mighty comfortable these days.

Let me ask you this and this is a legitimate question: How many races do you budget to race for a year and if the motors and tires where different, how many races would you think you could run then. I realize that this is somewhat hypothetical, but say a $10,000 motor and a $100 rr and $90.00 LR. Same purses, just lower costs. Also, What would have to be done for you to consider running pavement and at what size track would you say no to racing on?

There have actually been more teams following the midget trail over the past year or two than any time in the last ten or more.

While we're counting, how many teams could "afford" to chase that POWRi midget championship?

Hey, Im just getting started. I haven't even gotten to the real juicy topics yet....

You are a real piece of work here little boy did the midget champion just a couple of years ago win it because he was the only one to show at all of the races what a joke a national champion that is you have a lot to learn because you are freaking clueless.With the nine cars out of the picture now and kahne down to one car and who knows howmany cares stewart will run and kunz down to one it looks like the same thing can happen again in 2009.

The state of Connecticut had 8 midget races last year. That's double the amount of Indiana. Spin it any way you want, that's just sad. :thumbsdown:
David.

Sam Stockton is starting a "working mans sprint car series". Maybe when he gets it up and running he can start a "working mans midget division. :thumb
David.