Rice brothers call it quits. Plans for rest of year up in the air.

[MI Dirt Fan]

they already have this, its called the crate late models.

Not until you start spending extra for light weight bolt ons.

[cutman]

There's lots of more talented drivers sitting on the sidelines due to the cost of fielding a competitive car. Not the first time it's happened, and won't be the last.

Sadly, you are correct

[WisWildManFan]

Only sport in the world where one's talent isn't the key component to being competitive.

[Kromulous]

The emphasis used to be on building a competitive car, now its about buying a competitive car, there lies the real problem with SLM racing.

If you really want to see the $$ ruin racing, just look into any form of asphalt Gran Prix style racing, its a complete bag of ish.

[kidrock]

Not until you start spending extra for light weight bolt ons.

Exactly. Racing to win or even to be competitive is not cheap.

[golddirt]

Bingo on that. I always said that

[Clayton_Wetter]

Tracks are wanting to ease people into watching Crates instead of late models, yet use the late models as their cash cow fro big events from the traveling series.

If not they would tackle the expense issues.

I for one will not go to tracks that do not offer late models. 525 horsepower in late model chassis is not the answer.

[NormP]

The emphasis used to be on building a competitive car, now its about buying a competitive car, there lies the real problem with SLM racing.

If you really want to see the $$ ruin racing, just look into any form of asphalt Gran Prix style racing, its a complete bag of ish.

I think series like the Pirelli World Challenge, the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and other SCCA-type events are the best racing you can see, and they're obviously series that require lots of money. It may not be Formula racing, but still requires some serious dough.

[fastford]

Not until you start spending extra for light weight bolt ons.

I agree , but, boy did they think the crate was the answer , and I said from the very beginning, if a well funded team cant spend the money on the engine, they will find some where else to spend it, and they did......

[grt74]

I agree , but, boy did they think the crate was the answer , and I said from the very beginning, if a well funded team cant spend the money on the engine, they will find some where else to spend it, and they did......

when crates started all they did was split the late model world,now with limiteds its split 3 ways,

[kidrock]

I agree , but, boy did they think the crate was the answer , and I said from the very beginning, if a well funded team cant spend the money on the engine, they will find some where else to spend it, and they did......

But, sanctions could have prevented most of it.

[MI Dirt Fan]

There was suppose to be a Crate program here. The motors were bought/sponsored 15-18 of them or so, set to run at a local track 5-6 yrs ago. Don't remember how long they ran it but it wasn't long. Not sure what happened to the motors but I wouldn't be surprised if they were melted down to boat anchors.

[Waldo]

Super Late Model racing just does not make sense from anybody on the outside looking in. If you bought a $50,000 motor and raced for $100,000 to win which is only offered 2 times a year that would not make good sense. I personaly know people with the money to race these cars but they will not because of the fact that the Money won to the expenses just do not add up. For new people to get into this sport Money for them has to be made period, or they will not come.

[chupp n bloomer fan]

Super Late Model racing just does not make sense from anybody on the outside looking in. If you bought a $50,000 motor and raced for $100,000 to win which is only offered 2 times a year that would not make good sense. I personaly know people with the money to race these cars but they will not because of the fact that the Money won to the expenses just do not add up. For new people to get into this sport Money for them has to be made period, or they will not come.

And that just isn't really going to happen. There's maybe a handful of drivers each year in each upper division that make a decent amount of money.

[MI Dirt Fan]

For new people to get into the sport, LM might not be the best place to start. Money doesn't buy talent and it does take some talent and skill to drive and oh by the way, win.