RacingWest is starting a new series of articles to provide a peek inside today’s economics and to uncover the many ways it has an impact on racing. Wall Street is not needed...what is needed are interviews with drivers, crew members, car owners, sponsors, track promoters and race fans. It is their opinions we value and that we will feature.
With this future series in mind, I did an initial run through at the pits of the West race at Irwindale. Actually...all I really did was ask those that are living under a racing budget constraint how they were coping. Surprisingly many of the comments I received back led me to believe that a good number of West teams are fine...for this year at least, many car owners felt they would be OK. They commented on budgeting ahead, of doing without the matching team hats, etc.
But then when the same questions were presented to the smaller teams, crew, etc. they seemed to be feeling the economical squeeze a bit more.
One of the car owners that felt the economical sting was Tim Woods III. Thel impact on car dealerships under the looming recession has been harsh. Woods had hoped that he could nurse along his Chino Hills Ford (family) sponsored car, but a blown engine at Irwindale may just have taken him out of the running for the rest of the year. Unlike some teams that have 5 or more motors and several cars, Woods has one car, one motor.
Woods is not the only one feeling the squeeze. The fireworks at Orange Show Speedway were canceled due to tough economic conditions, a major NASCAR Sprint Cup team has folded and a local touring car has been parked.
On the one hand you have people saying things just aren't so bad, it is doable, on the other hand you have the likes of Chip Ganassi saying he closed the Franchitti team because, "There's no money. It makes no sense to be running this out of my pocket. I had to put a stop to it."
Some are feeling the pain…others are getting by…just how bad is it really…or is it that bad? And what can be done?
Join us as we start snooping around and picking brains… and we would love to read what you have to say. Send your comments to racingcomments@gmail.com. We are about to begin a journey down racing’s Economic Road.
