Who's on First, What's on Second, and Where are We Racing?

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.

Welcome to the Bumpracer.com Editor Blog

This is something new for me. I try to give quick updates and perspectives of the off-road racing community. I have been involved and /or around off-road racing since the early 70's when my dad built a pan buggy and began racing in the gravel pits and farm fields around Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.

I first co-drove in 1975 (age 13) at the old Crandon long course. Eventually began driving in 1977 and ended my driving career in 1986. During this time we had some successes with top five finishes and wins along the way. (Class 5 - Baja Bug, Class 9 Chenowth, Class 1-2 Funco Tandem, Class 1 /10 Funco Hustler Air)
Upon graduating from Western Michigan University, I devoted all my time with the family business, a wholesaler of auto parts in the Chicago area.
When ESPN came along, I watched anything I could that involved the off-road world. Then the late 90's I began watching the events again from the stands.
In 2000, created my first website for an off-road team and began writing press releases for the team as well.
MT Graphics handles website creation, updating and press release for over dozen race teams that compete in the short course and desert off-road world. MTG 's offering's now include team/competitor race videos as well.
In 2006, bumpracer.com was created as a portal for MT-Graphics customers and anyone else involved in off-road racing.
In 2008, the family business, Phil's Inc. celebrated 50 years in the automotive community.
Now you know a little about me.
See you at the track.