I-80 Speedway General Meeting To Be Held On Sunday

Link: www.neracewaypark.com

Drivers who plan on competing at I-80 Speedway during the 2006 race season are encouraged to attend a general meeting planned for Sunday, March 5th at the Ice House located at 10920 Emmet St. in Omaha. The meeting will cover a number of topics of interest to competitors and will also serve as a forum for questions regarding the 2006 season.

Among the topics to be discussed will be the point fund payout for each race division. The NASCAR regional and track point funds will be explained along with I-80 Speedway’s 5% point fund contribution to NASCAR and the local I-80 Speedway point fund.

There will also be an explanation of the general rules and procedures that will be utilized at I-80 Speedway in 2006. If you have questions on how points are scored, how line-ups are determined, how the Chase For The Championship works or other pertinent questions, this meeting will provide you a great opportunity to find answers to your questions before the season starts.

This IS NOT a rules meeting as the car rules for the 2006 are final and have been posted on the track’s website at www.neracewaypark.com. However if you are seeking clarification of rules or procedures, we will attempt to supply you with the answers to those questions during the meeting.

You’ll also be able to purchase your car number, NASCAR license and pit pad during this meeting as well.

We’ll divide the car classes into separate meeting times so that we can accommodate the number of participants better and focus on certain specialized class issues. The race divisions and meeting times for each are listed below.

1pm - Pro & Novice Hornets, Grand Nationals and 305 Sprint Cars

2pm - Late Models (Crate Engine) & Super Late Models

3pm - Pro-Ams, Hobby Stocks, Modifieds and B-Mods

Eagle Raceway Jim Eckley Memorial Race - Back Row Challenge

A fitting tribute to one of Eagle Raceway's longtime supporters. Jim, a longtime sprint car owner passed away on December 17 after a battle with cancer.

Eagle Raceway:

"Jim Eckley Memorial Race - Back Row Challenge scheduled for Thursday, June 8th, 2006.

Eagle Raceway in conjunction with the Eckley family and sponsors bring you the Jim Eckley Memorial Race. Adding $6000 to the purse and $2300 worth of product giveaways from our sponsors, Aggregate Carriers, Scoco Supply, Natco, Eckley Racing Engines, Shaver-Wesmar Gear Drives, Mark Burch Motorsports, Mahle Motorsports, Huggins Camshafts, Manley Performance Products, Scott Performance Wires, and Holliman Ltd. More sponsors to be announced.

The race will feature a special format:

Non Points Race! Invite only to Eagle Raceway's 360 Sprint Supporters.

Line-up Procedures:
1st A Feature Event-
-Heats will be lined up by time trials. Top 12 from heats will go directly to 1st A Feature. (heads up)
-Two B Features to fill final 8 A Feature positions.
-Regular weekly purse for 1st event. (ex: $1000 to win)

2nd Event-
-Top 8 finishers from 1st Event A Feature are automatically qualified for 2nd A Feature Event inverterd from the 1st Event finish.
-Two last chance races will fill the final 12 positions.
-Will pay 125% of weekly purse for 2nd Event. (ex: $1250 to win)

This will be over an $18,000 total purse to all participants.

The Eckley family would like to thank Eagle Raceway and all of our weekly racers for being a part of the life of Jim Eckley for the past years.
"

Eagle Raceway regular Phil Penney success at Mohave Valley

Phil Penney, a longtime top runner in the Modified division at Eagle Raceway started his season early at Mohave Valley Raceway in Arizona. He finished 15th in the Feb 4th A feature, 8th on the 11th and won the race on the 18th. UPDATE: Phil ran 2nd on 2/25.

ElbowsUp.com :: View topic - IOWA’S PHIL PENNEY DOMINATES MOHAVE VALLEY’S ROUND TWO: "Mohave Valley, AZ -- Having turned over 500 laps around the 3/8 mile clay oval dragging a sheep’s foot behind a truck during the week as he played a role in replacing last week’s off road like racing surface, Iowa’s Phil Penney jumped into his Victory Chassis IMCA Modified and used a high line to climb into the lead from 8th starting in just 9 laps Saturday afternoon as Mohave Valley Raceway staged round 2 of their four weekend Winter Season. Penney had earlier won his heat race from fifth starting and his big day was worth $1000."

USMTS @ JMS March 10-11

You realize racing season starts in just two weeks...

NOTE: The USMTS press release states March 11-12. The 12th is a SUNDAY. The race is on Fri and Sat. the 10th & 11th.

O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series: "McCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. -- It will have been a long 139 days since the last checkered flag waved, but the wait is nearly over for thousands of race fans and drivers throughout the Midwest.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series is set kick off a thrilling 73-race season at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., on Friday and Saturday, March 10-11, for the 3rd Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw.
"

Thayer County Speedway 2006 Sked

This one slipped under my radar (no pun intended)

2006 Thayer County Speedway Schedule

New Promoters, Brothers, Greg (Radar) Bell and Lonnie Bell

We will be running IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, and IMCA Hobby Stocks.
IMCA Sport Compact and Cruisers will Alternate every other week.

Pits Open at 4:00 with Hot Laps at 5:30 Racing at 6:00.


April
23rd – Mods, SC, HS, Sport Compact
30th – Mods, SC, HS, Cruisers

May
7th – Mods, SC, HS, Sport Compact
14 – Off, Mother’s Day
21st - Off
28th – Mods, SC, HS, Cruisers

June
4th – Mods, SC, HS, Sport Compact
11th – Mods, SC, HS, Cruisers
18th – Mods, SC, HS, Sport Compact
25th – Mods, SC, HS, Cruisers
July
2nd – Off, Belleville has races
9th – Mods, SC, HS, Sport Compact
16th – Mods, SC, HS, Cruisers
23rd – ONLY Mods, SC, & HS - NO Cruisers or Sport Compact
30th – Mods, SC, HS, Sport Compact

August
6th – Mods, SC, HS, Cruisers
13th – Mods, SC, HS, Sport Compact
20th – Mods, SC, HS, Cruisers
27th – FINAL POINTS NIGHT
Mods, SC, HS, Sport Compact, & Cruisers

You can call Radar @ 402-365-4136 for more information.

Danley and Ideus announce plans for '06

Brad (IBRACN) Brown posted info detailing 2006 plans for 360 Sprint drivers Rick Ideus of Roca, NE and Lincoln's Jason Danley. Both drivers are going to be road warriors this season.

As he's done for the past few years, Rick's going to hit the road running Knoxville's weekly program and ASCS Midwest region races. Danley is also going on the road full time with plans to compete for the ASCS Midwest and NCRA 360 Sprint titles. Full story: IBRACN's RUMORS/NEWS

Freuer Resigns as NRP Gen. Manager

An open letter from outgoing NRP GM Dave Freuer to the racing community was posted on Dirt Drivers today. Dave took over a tough job with NRP and they've grown their program and facility.

Good luck in your new venture, Dave.

Message Board - dirtdrivers.com: February 16, 2006

For almost 25 years, racing has been a major part of my life along with the lives of my family. It has allowed me the opportunity to meet some really great people who share my passion for Motorsports and witness some of the best racing action in the country.

Anyone associated with racing realizes the sacrifices that are made by the drivers, car owners, crew members, race officials and families who love Motorsports. Their commitment to the sport is seen in the countless hours spent preparing for each event, the miles that are traveled to compete and the summer weekends filled with wheel to wheel battles on their favorite race tracks.

As a person grows older their priorities in life often change. I have come to that point in my life now as I officially resign my position as General Manager of Nebraska Raceway Park. This has been a difficult decision to make considering how much a part of my life Motorsports has been. However, it is time for me to look at the “big picture” and what is best for my wife and family who have sacrificed so many things so that I could be involved with racing.

I will always have fond memories of my time here at Nebraska Raceway Park and the wonderful people associated with this fine facility. It has been an honor working for a group of owners who truly love racing and constantly strive to make Nebraska Raceway Park a better facility for everyone to enjoy. I have also had the privilege to enjoy watching some of the most talented drivers and pit crews in the United States compete every weekend. In addition, it has been a pleasure being associated with the great staff and employees whose hard work and dedication allow the events to run so smoothly. And I can not express my appreciation enough for all the great fans and sponsors who support Nebraska Raceway Park.

The 2006 race season is quickly approaching and I believe it will be one of the best ever. There are a host of great special events on the schedule as well as two spectacular nights of NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series action each weekend on Saturdays and Sundays. I have no doubt that the track owners along with Tom Gutowski, Kevin Bonney and the rest of the staff will make it a season to remember for everyone involved.

In closing, my path has come full circle as I return to my home state of North Dakota to pursue other interests. I look forward to being able to spend time with relatives, family and friends and enjoy events and occasions that time or distance hasn’t allowed in the past. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives and your love for auto racing. Have a great race season!

- Dave Freuer -

Another pic

Before I go to bed, here's the first digital image I caught racing...and the first time I shot racing at Eagle. It was on May 17, 2002 during a UDTRA late model race. Pictured is Earl Pearson, Jr. image ©2002 Jason Orth

I-80 Wins NASCAR "Team Player" Award

NASCAR Honors Top Weekly Series Tracks With ''Team Player'' Awards:

"DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR honored its top short tracks on Saturday, with its annual NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series “team player” awards. The awards, presented by NASCAR President Mike Helton, recognize outstanding race promotion efforts from the 2005 season and several special categories representing the best in NASCAR short track racing.

The following NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series track operators were presented “team player” awards:

Division II: Owners and staff of I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park, Greenwood, Neb."

Jack Dover Update

Got an update with some good news on budding sprint car talent Jack Dover from his mother, Lori. Last year, Jack was caught under a falling trailer door and suffered compound fractures to the tibia and fibula on the right leg, a “hip pointer” in his right hip, and road rash on his back.

Just thought I would give you an update, and you are welcome to share it on your site if you would like....

Jack is recovering nicely from his accident last fall, he is getting around pretty good, although he still has a limp, may have forever. He is really excited, just turned 16 and got his driver's license...watch out, he's on the streets, just kiddin, he is a really good driver on the streets, he saves it for the track. His 2006 plans are racing a 360 full time probably at Eagle and running some of the ASCS Midwest shows, and maybe a trip or two to Knoxville and Belleville. Jay Eckley is building his motors and Eagle Chassis is custom building his Chassis, as he is almost 6'4" tall now, we may have to strap the wing on his Helmet.(LOL). We will probably go with the same scheme as last year, but may make a few changes. The 305 car will be at the World of Wheels Auto Show in March. Jack is really eager to get out there and race, he just said today, "he can't wait to race Billy Alley and Gary Wright," so he is definitely wanting to play with the big boys. Hopefully he will do good.

It's always good to see new talent continuing to find opportunities in local racing and we should be happy to get the chance to see them.

Saldana/Kahne Join WoO Mean 15

Article: Sprint Racing Series - Dirt MotorSports

After winning the 16th World of Outlaws feature of his career on Friday night at Volusia Speedway Park, Saldana will pilot the Kasey Kahne Motorsports Central Merchant Services/Dodge/Curb Records JEI in his quest to capture his first series championship as a member of the World of Outlaws Mean 15 group of teams." (As of 2/14/06, Joey's still listed on the NST site)

Wasn't Kasey Kahne one of the big names that was going to team up with Joey Saldana and help the newly formed National SprintCar League power past the WoO?

Oh...well now he's going to help the new NST move ahead...

Nope.

After shunning other NSL defectors, the WoO is willing to let bygones be bygones with Kasey Kahne as he and Joey are going to compete for the WoO title.

You can here it in Norman, OK now...Cha-ching!

Talk of drivers willing to take pay cuts to help the new NST build is just that - talk. As your backmarker WoO teams run out of money you'll see more NST drivers head for "greener" pastures with guaranteed point funds and TV time. That was the plan for most of the NSL refugees until Fred Brownfield and the NST came forward.

In all fairness, for most teams the tour winnings don't pay the expenses. They need to get what they can, and the only sure thing out there is the WoO 2006 point fund.

But the pickins' are slim, you have a series (WoO) that is in financial trouble, can't get a title sponsor, needs a business model that doesn't rely on venture capital and and a schedule literally collapsing onto its core when it needs to expand.

Will Kahne help? I don't think so; we've had the current NASCAR champ's name on a WoO trailer for how many years sponsoring a series champ and it didn't make the WoO take off like wildfire.

On the other hand you have a series (NST) that is trying to get off the ground with its only asset: the "names" leaving. And I don't think Joey is the only one making tracks.

This looks more like scurrying for the lifeboats than sailing ahead.

Sorry I'm so pessimistic about 410 racing, but this ball started rolling downhill several years ago.

Omaha Area Malls to showcase NRP Race Cars

OMAHA, NE (February 13, 2006) – Race fans in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area will be treated to race car shows at two area shopping centers this March. I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park will host race car shows at both facilities to kick off the 2006 racing season. Westroads Mall in Omaha will be packed full of race cars the weekend of March 18th and 19th for the 2nd annual Race Car Mall Show at that facility. Last year’s event was a terrific success and this year’s event will again feature race cars from the race divisions who compete at I-80 Speedway during both the Saturday and Sunday night NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series sanctioned events.

The inaugural Race Car Mall Show at Mall Of The Bluffs in Council Bluffs will be held the following weekend on March 25th and 26th. That event will also host race cars from both the Saturday and Sunday night programs at I-80 Speedway.

Westroads Mall and Mall Of The Bluffs show will include displays of go-karts and cage carts which are raced at the Little Sunset Speedway go-kart track also located at the facility. In addition, a display of motorcycles that compete at Nebraska Raceway Park’s Soaring Edge Motocross Park will be on display.

“This is a great opportunity for race fans who want to see these monsters of speed up close and personal before the first race of the season,” said Dave Freuer, Nebraska Raceway Park General Manager. “Thousands of shoppers enjoy Westroads Mall and Mall Of The Bluffs every day so this is a wonderful way to expose them to the quality drivers who compete at all the race facilities at NRP.”

The shows at both Westroads Mall and Mall Of The Bluffs will be open to the public during regular mall hours on Saturday from 10:00am to 9:00pm and on Sunday from 12 Noon to 6:00pm.

“We’re excited about hosting the 2nd annual Nebraska Raceway Park Race Car Show,” said Alison Hrabe, Marketing Manager for Westroads Mall. “NASCAR and auto racing are among the hottest sporting events in the nation and we’re glad that Westroads Mall can be associated with all the loyal fans and drivers who follow the sport”.

“We look forward to the opportunity of hosting the Nebraska Raceway Park Race Car Show at Mall Of The Bluffs,” stated Liz Sudeta, Marketing Coordinator for Mall of The Bluffs. “There are a lot of great race fans in Iowa and this will offer them a chance to experience the great motorsports events available in our area.”

Fans may also register for 5 pairs of grandstand tickets to be given away during each mall show. These tickets will be valid for any one selected 2006 race event held at I-80 Speedway.

Space for race cars will be limited so drivers wishing to display their car should contact the Nebraska Raceway Park office at 402-731-4592 ext. 3 as soon as possible. Reservations for display space will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. There is no cost to display a race car.

For More Information Contact:

Dave Freuer – General Manager

Nebraska Raceway Park

Phone: 402-681-8070

Amy Wooten & Lincoln Mortgage to Sponsor Two Autograph Day Participants

Autograph Day:

"Amy Wooten & Lincoln Mortgage to Sponsor Two Autograph Day Participants


Amy Wooten & Lincoln Mortgage will give away two sponsorship contracts, one for $1000, and one for $500 to random race teams selected during the 2006 Midwest Racers Autograph Day, taking place April 1 from 11-4 at Uncle Ron's Wild West Saloon, 340 W. Cornhusker in Lincoln.

'One of the founding purposes of Autograph Day is to connect racers with sponsors,' said Autograph Day President and Founder Gary Dominguez. 'Amy'sbeen a supporter of racing for several years, most notably last year's title sponsorship of the Eagle Sprint Touring Series. Thanks to Amy, at least two race teams are guaranteed to get sponsorship.” The sponsorship contracts are open to any class and are subject to terms available at the Autograph Day website"

Photo: ESTS @ I-80

ESTS official John Hart tries to calm down an angry Clint Garner during a red flag period in the A feature at I-80 Speedway on Sept. 2, 2005. Garner and Seth Brahmer collided while racing down the backstretch, stopping the race. Brahmer crossed the pits leaving his wrecked sprinter and confronted the South Dakota driver. Despite being able to continue, Garner retired to the pits.

Image ©2005 Jason Orth

Eagle Raceway: "No Rumors...Just Facts!"

In an attempt to quash rumors circulating on message boards and websites, Full Throttle Entertainment, LLC (FTE), Eagle Raceway's Management posted a strongly worded and ominous statement on their website this week.

Also in the statment were a renewed commitment to Eagle Fire and Rescue and a promise that top National Sprint Tour drivers would be at Eagle for the June 9 & 10 Eagle Nationals, despite NST dates in Maryland and Pennsylvania. In addition, FTE stated that certain invite-only events would reward those who supported the weekly program.

Eagle Raceway: No Rumors...Just Facts! (full text)

Full Throttle Entertainment’s phone has been busy non-stop with questions! With this transitional year in the entire racing industry nation wide, it is completely expected. Here are some of the known answers.

Eagle Raceway is leased with intent to own and will be operated by Full Throttle Entertainment, LLC until further notice. It is our full intention to continue the tradition of this nationally known Sprint Car facility and try to improve front gate attendance with new promotional ideas. We understand that not all the responsibility should be on the drivers, but also on the promoter to put on a great show and bring larger crowds to the venue.

This is followed by a not-so-subtle warning from FTE:

There are still reserved pit stall spaces blocked out for the Sprint cars in their previous areas until March 1st. We are fully aware that Eagle Raceway is known as a Sprint car facility…there are no intentions of Late Model racing at this time. Although if the Sprints do not support Eagle Raceway, there could be an alternate plan for the 2007 race season that would include a completely different type of Sprint car class. (emphasis added by HRN) For Eagle Raceway to continue at its best, we all have to compromise and operate with some common sense. We need to support each other for Eagle Raceway to continue beyond 2006. We are putting our hearts, soul and check book into the upcoming 2006 race season.

Full disclosure: I am a former employee of Eagle Raceway and a personal friend of owner Craig Cormack. However, I am no longer employed by Cormack, Eagle Entertaiment, LLC, and have not been an employee nor contracted business for Full Throttle Entertainment.

One important fact I've heard from discussions with Eagle Raceway Promoter Roger Hadan and Track Owner Craig Cormack: This land will not sit idle.

Both men are successful businessmen and they are not going to sit on this to spite 5-10 naysayers. Trust me.

If FTE doesn't run the track in 2007, and someone doesn't step up, we could see the end of Eagle Raceway. This isn't an editorial statement. It's a (sad) fact.

ASCS Sprints To Visit BCS

After a year-plus hiatus, the 360 Sprints are coming back to Butler County on Friday July 28, 2006.

Butler County Motorplex:

"Butler County Motorplex has added the ASCS 360 Winged Sprint Cars to their 2006 schedule.The date has been set for July 28th 2006. The support class will be the IMCA Modifieds. Call Charlotte at 402-209-0921"

NRP statement regarding 2006 safety crew

There's been a lot of rumor going 'round about the safety crew situation at NRP... Here's an official statement.

From Message Board - dirtdrivers.com (click for full text):

"Nebraska Raceway Park (NRP) wishes to confirm that Five Star Fire and Safety will not be providing Fire and Rescue services to the NRP Facility in 2006. There were several factors involved in this decision.

NRP is proceeding to staff a professional crew of fire and rescue people, all of whom are trained firemen, and many of whom volunteer their services to their local communities. Each of the supervisors and crew members will be paid employees and/or independent contractors of NRP, just as Speed was in prior years. "

Editorial: NASCAR - Toyota partnership here to stay

Well, I promised something over a week ago. When I was writing this, I had to keep the subject racing oriented as opposed to something better presented on the financial page of the local newspaper. Instead, I want to present a few facts and get the point across that to NASCAR, it's about the dollar.

When Toyota made people start to whisper by entering in the Goody’s Dash Series, there was some leeway given as the V6 Toyota Celica entered fit the model of the series.

Again, when the Toyota Tundra came into the Craftsman Truck Series a few years ago, there were rumblings and questions of how Toyota would be able to compete against the big boys without an existing model motor equivalent to the push-rod V8’s mandated by the series. But again, Toyota proved them wrong by finishing second last year in the truck championship and winning 9 of the last 15 races, and will field a truck for defending champion Ted Musgrave.

Now with 2007 looming the new Camry looks to take the Nextel Cup series. They’re coming in with high-profile sponsors such as Red Bull as well. This brings me to my point. NASCAR is not a technology-development series like Formula 1 or the World Rally Championship. There’s nothing to prove technologically here - the spaceframes and pushrod motors are technology dating back nearly 40 years (though the technology used to squeeze every bit of speed out of those limits is state of the art).

The France family, General Motors, Ford, Daimler-Chrysler, and Toyota know that NASCAR is a MARKETING platform. The races are just as much three-hour long commercials as they are sporting events. No other sports league can claim that. Their marketing is between the action, NASCAR’s marketing is during the action, with “solo performances” thrown in occasionally.

So if you’re high atop your throne in Daytona and you look down, you’ll see:

· The #1 selling car in the U.S. is the Toyota Camry

· They’ve established long standing reputation with consumers as a quality brand

· While GM, Ford, and Daimler-Chrysler plants are closing, Toyota employs over 20,000 at 12 plants in the U.S., with plans for more

· Toyota will become the world’s largest auto manufacturer, overtaking General Motors because of GM's downsizing

· Toyota produces a full line of vehicles, from Trucks to family cars, sports cars, luxury vehicles (Lexus), etc. In other words, they hit all of NASCAR’s target markets and any other markets NASCAR wants to work in the future.

If a company is committed that deep in the U.S., then you know their marketing budget has to be HUGE. If you’re the France family wouldn’t you want a piece of that pie?

Now, just showing up with a car doesn’t imply success. If it’s a loser on the track, NASCAR marketing isn’t going to help a bit. Toyota isn’t going to run away with anything, NASCAR will make sure of that.

But you can darn well bet they aren’t going to let Toyota leave anytime soon, either.

-Jason

Eagle Nationals reserved seating available

Eagle Raceway:

"Eagle Raceway will be selling advanced reserved seating for the Eagle Nationals-World of Outlaws Sprint Series June 9th & 10th. All previous ticket holders will have a chance to pre-buy their same seats until February 17th. After this date, those seats will be open to other race fans as a first come-first serve basis."

FYI: The Sept. 15 Outlaws show at Eagle is being promoted by SLS Promotions and they are renting the track from Full Throttle Entertainment, LLC - the managing group led by Roger Hadan.

Speed Bowl 2006 Sked

Mike Hughes from The Speed Bowl in Red Cloud, NE sent me the 2006 schedule under new promoters Don & Paula Bolt:

Classes: IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Cruisers

2006 Schedule

April 14, 21, 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
August 4, 11, 18, 25

Race time is 8:00 p.m.

For more information, contact promoters Don & Paula Bolt at (785) 678-2416

Oliver Motorsports giving away free commercials on 96.1 The Brew

Michael Oliver sent over a really cool marketing idea he's doing with his 2006 305 Sprint campaign:

Papillion, NE February 2, 2006 – Oliver Motorsports working with 96.1 The Brew is going to be giving away free commercial time to marketing partners. Oliver Motorsports has been given 120 thirty-second commercials to give away to marketing partners as an added bonus for their involvement with The Brew race car. These commercials will be given to marketing partners based on their involvement with Oliver Motorsports in 20, 40 and 80 increments. The packages range from associate to primary partner on the race car and can be customized for any business. For further information please contact Michael Oliver at 402-578-3152.

You know, you can do this without being sponsored by a radio station. Offer up some ad time to the sponsor in addition to the decals on your car. Takes money to make money, as they say.

Editorial: A Logic Puzzle

I'm confused.

If a promoter raises prices or cuts their purse because the costs of the track have increased, be it food, insurance, maintenance, whatever - the racers complain because they don’t think that they need to be paying the promoter’s costs.

OK, I can see their point, since they’re not responsible for those companies charging the promoter the additional money.

On the other hand, if racers are asking for an increase in purse or lowering of fees because their class of car is becoming more and more expensive, the promoters complain because they don’t think they need to be paying the racer’s costs.

Hmm…I can see that one too, the promoters aren’t the part suppliers or in many cases, the rule makers - even if the promoter is the rule maker, rules changes are fought because of money previously invested in equipment that will be illegal, or money it will take to conform to the new rules.

So, is there a logical difference between the two arguments? I’m not asking about motors, food, tires, insurance, weight limits, taxes, rules, beer prices, and so on. You don’t have to go to all that detail.

I’m just asking the general question: in both cases isn’t someone else being asked to pay for the cost of others?

Step back and think of this from the point of view of someone who has no interest either way since they don’t own a car or a track — perhaps that of a casual fan? I'm not stating a position one way or another in the debate.

I still can’t see the difference. Maybe someone else can help me out here?

-Jason