18 replies to this topic

[Sharon Speedway PR]

SHARON ANNOUNCES INTEGRA SEALED SHOCK RULE FOR GROWING ECONO MOD DIVISION FOR 2014-2016 SEASONS By Mike Leone October 29, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Hartford, OH)…Sharon Speedway officials have announced they have come to an agreement with Integra Shocks that will require the growing Econo Mod division to be on an Integra 42 Series sealed welded bearing shock for the 2014, 2015, and 2016 seasons. The shock retails for $69.95 at most suppliers. The top 10 drivers in the 2014-2016 points will receive one free Integra sealed shock each year at the awards banquet. The Econo Mods will begin their fifth season of competition in 2014. This past season saw the HTMA/Precise Racing Products-sponsored division grow in leaps and bounds. In just its second full season of being on the weekly Saturday night “Steel Valley Thunder” program, the Econo Mods averaged 21 cars per night, but more impressively never dipped below 22 cars in the final eight events! In fact, an all-time record of 27 cars participated in the September 14-15 “Apple Festival Nationals”. All told 47 different drivers competed throughout the 2013 season. “We’ve been very proud of the growth of the Econo Mod division,” stated GM Dave Willoughby. “The division has grown in participation and car counts each year; however, we want to be proactive and continue to implement cost-saving measures to sustain the growth into the future. Even though we had a shock claim rule, the cost of shocks was becoming a great concern. When we voted on implementing this rule for 2014, 85% of the racers were for it.” The complete 2014 Econo Mod rules will be posted soon. The following are the required Integra 42 Series Shock part numbers: PART # 7" SHOCKS 310-42173 7" SHOCKS 310-42173-5 7" SHOCKS 310-42174 7" SHOCKS 310-42174-6 7" SHOCKS 310-42174-8 7" SHOCKS 310-42175 7" SHOCKS 310-42175-3 7" SHOCKS 310-42176 7" SHOCKS 310-42176-3 7" SHOCKS 310-42179-1 PART # 9" SHOCKS 310-42193 9" SHOCKS 310-42193-5 9" SHOCKS 310-42194 9" SHOCKS 310-42194-6 9" SHOCKS 310-42195 9" SHOCKS 310-42196 9" SHOCKS 310-42196-3 9" SHOCKS 310-42198-2 The 2013 award banquet and dinner will be on Saturday, February 1 at the Yankee Lake (OH) Ballroom located on Route 7 just north of Brookfield. Also, stay tuned for more information on the upcoming snowmobile races to be held this winter. Sharon Speedway is owned by the Blaney, Weller, and Kirila Families and is a 3/8-mile dirt track located on Custer-Orangeville Road in Hartford, Ohio near the intersection of Routes 7 & 305. For more information, check out the website at www.sharonspeedway.com or call 330-772-5481. Become a fan of Sharon Speedway on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sharonspeedway and follow us on Twitter at @SharonSpdwy. ###

[Racer17L]

I think this is a great rule. Good job Sharon!

[Paul55]

I think this is a great rule. Good job Sharon!

Yup agree also about time someone stepped up and helped the little guys out.

[Racer17L]

Who would have thought an econo mod would be cheaper than a pure stock!

[racer67x]

time to make that rule for the crate lates..should have done it from the beginning. when a set of shocks cost more than the price of a used rolling chassis there is a problem.

[IMPERIALTIRE11]

time to make that rule for the crate lates..should have done it from the beginning.

when a set of shocks cost more than the price of a used rolling chassis there is a problem.

AGREE !

[m80racer]

how many of you that just posted how great this is,actually have econo mods?...replacing what you already have ISNT economy!

[bigracer25k]

I think if you can't replace your shocks with a spec. Shock then you might have spent to much on the ones you have already. Just my though.

[m80racer]

I think if you can't replace your shocks with a spec. Shock then you might have spent to much on the ones you have already. Just my though.

92.00 ea.& i can replace parts on them if i have to...spending 450 to 500 to replace them is going to hurt the low dollar teams...not the ones that spent too much already

[Racer17L]

If they're good shocks- why can't you just sell them to other emod teams or cars at Sharon? They have 26 cars a night.

[BaconBits]

how many of you that just posted how great this is,actually have econo mods?...replacing what you already have ISNT economy!

Ding ding ding... EVERY single rule ever implemented to "help the budget racer" in an existing class ends up costing MORE money because you force them to buy new stuff to replace perfectly good parts that will become boat anchors.

Edited by BaconBits, 30 October 2013 - 12:50 PM.

[rocket51]

You can get all four for 260 bucks and you got five months until you need them.

[Racer17L]

I think you guys are missing my point. How many guys who have 4 shocks now are in great shape in October after a full seaon of racing? Save the money from the rebuild and buy the new shocks you know will be used for the next 3 seasons! Lastly, if I'm on the fence about running an econo mod, this is great news and may help build the class. If I'm tired of the expense of pure stocks and LM tires and if I can't afford an open emod now I have another option with a fixed cost of shocks. How is that a bad thing? You're acting like they are changing to quick change rear ends and now all the 9" guys are screwed. We're talking $69 a shock. That's cheaper than the white AFCO fixed bearing shocks we ran in the late 90's! If PPMS had this class I'd definitely think about running it.

[Dandyjr19]

I think you guys are missing my point. How many guys who have 4 shocks now are in great shape in October after a full seaon of racing? Save the money from the rebuild and buy the new shocks you know will be used for the next 3 seasons!

Lastly, if I'm on the fence about running an econo mod, this is great news and may help build the class. If I'm tired of the expense of pure stocks and LM tires and if I can't afford an open emod now I have another option with a fixed cost of shocks. How is that a bad thing?

You're acting like they are changing to quick change rear ends and now all the 9" guys are screwed. We're talking $69 a shock. That's cheaper than the white AFCO fixed bearing shocks we ran in the late 90's!

If PPMS had this class I'd definitely think about running it.

never fear the quickchange is not far off. the econos are already darn near identical as an open mod , cost and speed and all for less than half the winnings. like the crates just wait till you get one and want to run up front

[Jason24]

It's never gonna b cheap guys mini stock isn't cheap. It won't slow us down either. It's a 2 barrel so hp can only go so high. Shocks were outta control so sell to open cars and buy them. He'll some might handle better cause they gotta have good shocks. I hope for a better purse with high car counts and sitting competition. Just fun racing. We had some crazy shock money spent in the class, and yea most cheaters actually aren't front runners always. I just think at least if u win now nobody can say they were out spent. We got some good racers in this class.. It's fun.. Yea and a lot of crazies to. Thanks

[easy money]

Some important issues here people are not looking at. 1. From what some integra dealers are saying, this shock is not even in production yet. One dealer in pennsylvania told me this shock is going to be a shock with special crimping and anyone with "older integras" will most likely not be able to use them. 2. Talking to a 2 bbl driver yesterday, another dealer is told him dealer cost is in the lower 30 dollar range. If this is true a dealer profiting a mere 100% is really helping the sport. 3. Racing is very delicate in todays world, both dirt, asphalt and drag racing. Its a proven fact, most rules actually cost the racer more money in the long run. Yes, I understand divisions need rules for any class to survive but when you only allow one manufacturers product to be used we all start wondering what the motive really is behind the rule. 4. We started with single manufacturers tire rules and heard " Its going to help the point fund" . I for one have only seen point funds dwindle in the last 10 years to where it costs most more money to attend local tracks banquets than most point checks. We better wake up and start really helping drivers and owners or we will be telling our children and grand children " thats what we used to do on the weekends"

[racin4fun]

I want to start with this, Racers always have and always will be their own worst enemy as far as rules go. When I started racing there weren't millions of options for springs, shocks, etc... We ran stock springs with coils cut or heated out of whatever vehicle we thought might have stiffer or softer springs. Bought the lifetime warranty shocks at Napa or wherever and traded them frequently. I think they were around $50 each then. Like mentioned earlier when you have rebuildable shocks you freshen them in the off season, replace bent rods whatever. The cost of that is close to buying one of these. I personally would have went just welded bearing instead of brand specific. But it happens everywhere tires especially. Which is where I wanted to chime in. I was in the parts business (racecar) I did track service with two trucks three nights a week. I have seen lots of "politics" in racing its everywhere don't just blame the rule guys. your fellow racers are in this just as deep. Every time a new track opened or re-opened the first stock car sponsor was Hoosier Tires you think it was coincidence? I lobbied for street Dot tires but racers wanted to go faster. spending twice as much was ok, wearing them out in a week was ok. The second season Hoosier was gone they set the hook and now its money. Saw it with Goodyear in sprints, Look at the crates... I raced them at the beginning Loved it. at the time the best return on investment in racing if there is such a thing. The biggest weekly costs for us racers are in this order are: Tires, getting to the track, fuel in the car and getting in and wrecks. The crates now spend more per gallon on fuel than any other division none of them are here complaining... their own worst enemy. My point is this there will always be rules, like them or not. There are politics everywhere in racing from the tracks, to the "tire tests" that happen weekly right under the rule guys noses. The good teams getting the good parts the "new let us know how you like it" parts. from almost every supplier. SO don't overlook the elephant in the room when complaining about racing politics. My observations in running our first season in this class are as follows; The class is toted as entry level and rules to keep cherry pickers out all good. a fair amount of younger drivers (all doing well I might add) get a bad rap from the older drivers of similar experience levels. It is entry level meaning people make mistakes its how you learn if you aren't ok with that then MOVE UP. that only applied to a couple select individuals though. for the most part that was not a problem. Our other issue was carnage abviously from what I just described cautions are going to be there. I think however they can be minimized to an extent. I propose a "handicap" of sorts. Not for fast cars as has been done in the past but for cautions. every driver involved in a caution gets a point, if you cause a caution (spin someone out, rough driving etc...) you get 2. A night without cautions you loose point(s) so whatever accumulated is not a life sentence. Important to note that because the sentences are as follows: the first limit say 5 for this example a driver would loose his ability to start in the proper starting position he must start in the rear so his problems are not everyone else's. the driver can run in the back get his experience and concentrate on making good laps without caution. Step 2 the next threshold would be if a driver didn't get the problems sorted out and continues to have issues. This threshold for example say 10 points a driver would have to take a week off to evaluate his equipment and be credited for a caution free night in doing so. The driver would be able to return. these points could also be given as officials determine in addition to cautions say for conduct in the pits speeding, arguments, etc... with the same consequence. My opinion of the need for this is simple, this IS an entry level division and very quickly growing (all good) but inexperience is a part of this. Arguing about incidents, or having countless cautions from the wrong drivers being in the wrong places in the beginning of the race are things a track can control and are both things that cause people to be disenchanted and move on either quitting or moving up. This class is heavy on youth drivers as it should be. They are the future of this division and ultimately racing in general. Racing is a dangerous sport, but the danger should be minimized whether it be on track incidents or pit incidents. We are all in it for fun, weekend warriors we aren't, just racers having a good time doing what we do, hopefully safe and on the cheap. Dave

[DarwinsBeagle]

Dave - I'm with you on most things mentioned above except for the "entry level" and "cherry picking" stuff. 1. If you can run a stubbed Rocket chassis in the class, it is not an "entry level" class. I am not sure there is an entry-level class anymore, except for maybe the FWD 4-cyl class. 2. There is no such thing as cherry picking in dirt racing anymore. See point 1 above. I just don't see it. If Jeff Gordon wants to run street stocks weekly at Stateline Speedway, more power to him. I have a hard time telling a late model driver that he has to run late models forever because he won 2 features at Hummingbird Speedway in 2004. Everyone's circumstances change and anyone should be able to run whatever class he/she can afford regardless of past participation. Hell, there's 27 divisions (a hyperbolic guess to prove a point) to choose from anymore. I also miss the old days of scrounging the salvage yard for a coil spring from a 3/4 Ford pickup 2WD to stuff into the RF of the old street stock; putting NAPA shocks on and thinking I was cutting edge, pinching off the right front brake line to get the sumbitch to turn, etc. The more experience I got racing, the less fun it became. Seems like I won more races when I didn't know shit. You never have as much fun as you did you you didn't even know what you didn't know.

[racin4fun]

Dave - I'm with you on most things mentioned above except for the "entry level" and "cherry picking" stuff.

1. If you can run a stubbed Rocket chassis in the class, it is not an "entry level" class. I am not sure there is an entry-level class anymore, except for maybe the FWD 4-cyl class.

2. There is no such thing as cherry picking in dirt racing anymore. See point 1 above. I just don't see it. If Jeff Gordon wants to run street stocks weekly at Stateline Speedway, more power to him. I have a hard time telling a late model driver that he has to run late models forever because he won 2 features at Hummingbird Speedway in 2004. Everyone's circumstances change and anyone should be able to run whatever class he/she can afford regardless of past participation. Hell, there's 27 divisions (a hyperbolic guess to prove a point) to choose from anymore.

I also miss the old days of scrounging the salvage yard for a coil spring from a 3/4 Ford pickup 2WD to stuff into the RF of the old street stock; putting NAPA shocks on and thinking I was cutting edge, pinching off the right front brake line to get the sumbitch to turn, etc. The more experience I got racing, the less fun it became. Seems like I won more races when I didn't know shit.

You never have as much fun as you did you you didn't even know what you didn't know.

Here is why I say entry level, what's the most affordable rear wheel drive division a young or otherwise inexperienced driver can hope to get into racing? this is it. There was once upon a time stock cars those days are gone one cost saving rule after another. engines, tires, chassis modifications, shocks, springs etc... Crates may have started cheap enough a division where an older decent car was able to compete, but quickly got corrupted by money spending big team mentalities. and (In MY Opinion) Cherry picking drivers that could afford to run higher divisions but chose to play there looking for some low hanging fruit.

Its not really the drivers I blame for escalation of costs of the division but they did bring the level of competition up fast, and racers being racers now days tend to buy whatever trinket touting more speed or power they can to keep up. Back in the day we made stuff, put the effort into understanding our cars needs and innovating a solution. Sometimes legal sometimes prompting a new rule but rarely costing much if anything. The innovators of those days are either retired or making tons of money selling their innovated parts such as shocks, suspensions, engines, carbs, etc...

I would love to see a true entry level rear wheel drive division a young driver could start in that was affordable for the average working man. a division you could buy a donor vehicle on the cheap weld in a roll cage and go racing just like those days gone by. Unfortunately those donor vehicles haven't been built in over 25 years. most would be considered classic cars by todays standards. I can only see trucks as an option for this today. Which I would have gladly built(yes I said built) with my son and raced passing my experience onto the next generation.

I was hoping to see some feedback on the handicap caution points system thoughts?