I wake up this morning and check out all the off-road blogs, and I see there's more possible developments in the short-course off-road world. It seems like Lucas Oil Off-Road Series and Jim Baldwin have been talking. JB is offering the use of Chula Vista and its TV contract with NBC to Lucas Oil.
Lucas Oil wants to continue its Title Sponsorship with WSORR.
I thought Ricky Johnson (TORC) purchased WSORR, but that has not gone public or is the sale still being negotiated?
Traxxas has signed on as Title Sponsor for TORC, but does TORC own the WSORR?
Lucas Oil Off-Road (along with everyone else) also wants to be involved with the 40th edition of Crandon's Labor Day Weekend Event and the Midwest.
What's the PDG's position in all of this?
With all this going on, where does this leave all of the racers?
The Sportsman racers will still race where they want to. The PDG, the majority of the PRO drivers, have committed in one direction, but it may all change. Television dictates where the sponsors need to be, and in turn the drivers they fund.
Meanwhile, many PRO drivers are unsponsored, due in part of the downturn in the economy combined with the fractured state of short course off-road racing.
If things don't come together real soon, you will probably see several PRO drivers pick and choose the events that fit their budget best.
It will become what open wheel Midget racing was back in the 40's, 50's, and 60's. The top drivers went Barnstorming. The almighty dollar ruled over bringing home a championship.
Whatever the shape of short-course off-road racing takes in 2009, let's hope it finalized in the coming weeks.
Somehow all the parties involved need to get together and get on the same page. When this happens not only will there be well attended races by both racer and spectator, but the fabricators, and parts distributors can get back to work, as well.
See you at the track.
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