Why have Legends cars collapsed in Florida?

[Dcpaintingllc]

New legends from Doug Steven or one of big setup builder was 20,000 plus now even more

[Don Nerone]

We had a great deal at Orlando when I was there.Over 20 cars every week
After I left they split up and each track in florida has a few.
Orlando didn't want them then and now they need them...o well

don62

[Frasson118]

Once again, everything Don USED to do worked out great....

It was everyone ELSE that screws things up.

[Boneman]

Ok, I asked for info and we are certainly collecting it.

DPR, you told me that one of your cars was purchased used for around $3000. You spent another $1000, and put in some time and effort, but you have a competitive car for 20% of what a new "prepared" car costs. Not bad!

I'm still interested about any track in Florida that pays a lot more than OSW. If only De Soto and Bronson are running them, I'm betting there is not much of a difference in payout.

The most interesting reading of this thread is right here: the lack of regional coordination, and the number of young drivers who are starting in classes that are already faster than Legends. I hadn't really thought about the fact that kids are very common in LM and faster classes.

At any class, at any track, racers are going to spend too much and not make it back from race winnings. No news there.

[Lurkin]

If your kids aren't doing the iracing thing they're missing out. They could be Legends racing everyday, cheap, and you could be racing with them.

[DPRacecars]

Pays never been the greatest for legends cars, many tracks see us as small cars so we don't need a big payout. But few of the other tracks are paying close to double of what others are. A p1 at one track is the equivalent to a p4 at another. (I'm not gonna say track names, but you should be able to guess) another thing that has been hurtin legends cars is the age limit for arca and nascar have lowered so many parents across the nation are not using legends as a stepping stone anymore. Many kids especially up north have gone from quarter midgets to bandos straight to a latemodel.
Also, to be competitive it is nice to have a Kyle Beattie, chase Pistone, Brandon Thomson, or josh williams to set up your car and only have to show up and race. But where's the fun in that? Many of these guys are not gonna shoot you down if you ask a question about setup. All you really need to do is have someone set the car up one time (which is not that expensive) and make adjustments from there.

[egspeedway]

If your kids aren't doing the iracing thing they're missing out. They could be Legends racing everyday, cheap, and you could be racing with them.

I agree entirely with Lurkin on this one, The problems begin if your child is talented and wants to go faster or be in a more competitive class. It is somewhere between difficult and impossible for a parent to say no. Thus the slippery slope of cost has been breached. All in all it is still so much better in teaching lifes lessons than an x-box or a computer and the sunshine and fresh air are free.

[Boneman]

Hey Eggs, it sounds to me like Mr. Lurkin is suggesting iRacing instead of doing the real thing. My kid is saving up for iRacing, but we'll use it as a supplement to the real thing, not as a replacement.

[Phil Jacques]

Since we started to discuss iRacing, I will chime in here...

iRacing is a great tool. But it is just that, a tool. I personally use it to get better with racing around other cars, being more consistent at hitting my marks and learning how to adapt to different types of tracks. The one thing that is missing is the seat of the pants feeling. In my experience, it's easier to drive a real car than this game but it still doesn't mean you're going to be a good racecar driver. It should only ever be used as a tool or aid...

[egspeedway]

Since we started to discuss iRacing, I will chime in here...

iRacing is a great tool. But it is just that, a tool. I personally use it to get better with racing around other cars, being more consistent at hitting my marks and learning how to adapt to different types of tracks. The one thing that is missing is the seat of the pants feeling. In my experience, it's easier to drive a real car than this game but it still doesn't mean you're going to be a good racecar driver. It should only ever be used as a tool or aid...

And it should be done outdoors. The next generation is going to look like scandanavians as these people can't go outdoors most of the year.

[OldSchool+]

same 'ol solution...?

What about mandating stock motors, perhaps a couple that are known to be close to equal, and a spec street tire?

For the rest of us hot-dog-eaters, about like mini stocks and etc., we kind of don't care whether they are turning 6k or 12k rpm nearly as much as if there are 2 or 22 of them.

[Phil Jacques]

My idea on the biggest problem, and this could go for 90% of tracks and series out there. A racer is not in charge. Racers understand the costs involved better than some stuffed suit behind a desk calling the shots. If more retired racers ran things, racing might be a lot different.

[OldSchool+]

Phil,

Hmmmmmm, I always thought given the opportunity, the racers lobbied to spend themselves right out of racing.

From the "modifieds" of the '60's that became neo-sprint cars to CART...

But, as always, I could be wrong.

[Phil Jacques]

Phil,

Hmmmmmm, I always thought given the opportunity, the racers lobbied to spend themselves right out of racing.

From the "modifieds" of the '60's that became neo-sprint cars to CART...

But, as always, I could be wrong.

In this current day, most weekly drivers are a lot more cost conscious than previous it seems. Unfortunately to run up front in a lot of divisions it's a matter of "keeping up with the joneses" so to speak just to be competitive... If one guy spends $10,000 to build an engine one year and is kicking everyones ass, someone else will spend $11,000 and so on... That's why I love the FL sportsman division so much. It's an intelligently designed division. Affordable and simple. That's where I will be racing in the coming years when I move back down for sure!

If it is any consolation to anyone regarding legends... You all know here in the northeast we have pretty good car counts across every form of oval racing. We are still doing really well up here... But when it comes to Legends and Bandaleros, it's pitiful.. 4 Bandaleros max at Waterford, and probably the same 12 to 15 Legends cars visit Seekonk, Stafford and Waterford regularly... The affordability got sucked right out of that division and it is no longer attractive to guys coming out of Quarter Midgets... Most go to Champ Karts, SK Light Modifieds or Late Models up here now. Completely bypassing Mini Stocks and Street Stocks/Super Stocks as well.

[Lurkin]

I wasn't suggesting it replace real racing, just supplement. It IS a pretty good simulation, but no it ISN'T the real thing.
IMHO if they aren't doing it, and they seriously plan on racing for a living someday, then they are behind the power curve.