by Jane Smith

People ask many times, "where are the cars?" when they go to a track.

Well plain and simple, the cars are at home because the economy won't allow the racers to race. With the price of gas to haul to a track and home, to pit gate entry, food at the track, fuel for the cars and tires if needed, people just don't have the money right now.

Orlando SpeedWorld is trying to give the racer a break by letting one division in free each week starting April 25th. That means no pit entry fee for the racer. But is this enough to bring the cars out and support the track, who knows.

People are losing their jobs because of the economy. People are losing their houses because they have no jobs. Insurance and property tax is crazy and when your escrow account is more than your actual mortgage payment, that is just plain wrong.

Eggs might as well be gold. Milk, it is almost cheaper to own your own cow. And if gas goes up much more, we will all new bikes to get around.

But something has to take away all this stress and give us a few hours of just plain fun. Fun where you forget your troubles and just enjoy yourself.

For some it is racing, for others it is a movie and dinner, and for some, it is just sitting home and watching a movie on tv because that is all you got.

Will these bad times end soon, I hope so.

I have talked to many racers who have been honest and said they just plain can't afford to race every weekend. Maybe once every two weeks and some only once a month. They have to save to race. Some give up racing to help a family member race which is very hard but they do it. Watching and not racing is the hardest thing any racer can do but I have seen this sacrifice many times.

So if you are a race fan and you go to a local race, please remember when the car count is down, it is not because the racers don't want to be there for you, it is because they have bills also and don't have the money themselves to race.

So next time you are at your local track and you are down on pit road for an autograph session or in the pits after a race, just say a simple "thanks" and that will mean more than you ever know to a racer.



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