32 replies to this topic

[dirtstudent2]

Ok here is a question I've been asking for a while, what has happened to the late model class at most tracks? I went to Mercer for their special and 18 is all they had. I went to MCR last wek and was eager to see all the late models because Stateline was not running, 13 was all that showed up for a 1,500 purse, what the heck? Is it just getting too exspensive to feild a late model and crew these days? What is your opinion on low car counts?

 

Good question.

 

I just read there were 8 crates at Sharon. Why so few so early in the year?  

 

Is it saying very few are interested in running for points at Sharon? 

 

My guess is entry fee and gate costs keep crates from running for points at Sharon.  Maybe crate racers are thinking If you want to race and there's not going to be full fields anyway, your going to travel around to where you can get in and get some pay back.   Maybe if there's not the opportunity for what crate racers feel is a fair return, they just won't go race. 

 

Maybe if the track won't pay out enough and charges more then is reasonable to a crate racer to come in and put on the show, they will go elsewhere.  Maybe their personal economy's not good and they won't go without a reasonable payback.  

 

How can a track Promote a low budget or more economical class and then expect "low budget" racers to pay high pit fees for little to no pay out?  Could it be a factor for only 8 cars?  

 

I don't see any other car class being promoted as low budget or even to have a low or lower entry cost.  In every other class those with the funds will be there and the rest of the field will be made up of other cars with the absolute minimum and above.  Crate late model and now the bigblock crates, demand a minimum is spent to race.  I also think their minimum demand to race is higher then any other class.   It's not about finding a deal and being able to put a car on the track for less, stock, modified, late or sprint.  It's about setting the bar for racers and saying you can't race for less. 

[94.3-RADRACER]

dirtstudent2, we ran raceway 7, sharon, and eriez last year. my car ran two nights a week, fri/sun. matt had twice the tire bill i did running one night at sharon. passing is a minimum, and we burn 3 tires off a night. i like dave,and the people there, but they need clay. i'm sure their hands are tied, and money is tight everywhere. we  just can't afford it...

[Skull]

I think everyone has touched on what is hurting the SLM fields.

 

If I had to rate them in order, I'd say too many tracks are currently operating that host Supers. Next would be the economy. Third would be Crate LM's. It's not that they are taking teams from Supers, IMHO, they are drawing financial resources from them, and probably other classes as well. I don't follow them, but I'd be curious to know how many sponsors that did (or still do) sponsor Supers that now back Crates. I'm sure Crate owners can ask for less money (and do more with it) than a SLM team.

 

Regardless of that, I think Scott's idea of hard tires and maybe some lower buck guys giving the G.M. 525 crate a try (as long as there are no onerous weight breaks to render an "open" motor useless), are both good starts.

 

I think brand tire rules overall hurt this division, too. And others. There is a distinct split of teams that refuse to have to buy Hoosiers if they are on an AR deal, and probably vice versa. I know tires rules help the track owners, so they aren't going anywhere. I just wish they weren't restricted to one brand, but then that defeats the purpose. It prevents some teams from running Lernerville, for example. I can't say I blame those teams for not wanting to buy Hoosiers just to run there occasionally. The tire rule issue wouldn't be as noticeable if there weren't as many tracks running SLM''s, and if there were more teams running the class, obviously.

[wildside]

The tires Lunger used sat night at Sharon were 55 RR that was used in season final at Sharon last year then ppms for both nights of pittsburger then heat and feature sat night at Sharon. And now its junk. Ppms does not hurt tires so two runs at Sharon and a 55 is junk. Lr might get 3 nights if lucky same with rf. The tire bill is just way to much for most to overcome. The only new tire lunger has used this year is a rf sat night everything else last years tires.

[94.3-RADRACER]

I think everyone has touched on what is hurting the SLM fields.

 

If I had to rate them in order, I'd say too many tracks are currently operating that host Supers. Next would be the economy. Third would be Crate LM's. It's not that they are taking teams from Supers, IMHO, they are drawing financial resources from them, and probably other classes as well. I don't follow them, but I'd be curious to know how many sponsors that did (or still do) sponsor Supers that now back Crates. I'm sure Crate owners can ask for less money (and do more with it) than a SLM team.

 

Regardless of that, I think Scott's idea of hard tires and maybe some lower buck guys giving the G.M. 525 crate a try (as long as there are no onerous weight breaks to render an "open" motor useless), are both good starts.

 

I think brand tire rules overall hurt this division, too. And others. There is a distinct split of teams that refuse to have to buy Hoosiers if they are on an AR deal, and probably vice versa. I know tires rules help the track owners, so they aren't going anywhere. I just wish they weren't restricted to one brand, but then that defeats the purpose. It prevents some teams from running Lernerville, for example. I can't say I blame those teams for not wanting to buy Hoosiers just to run there occasionally. The tire rule issue wouldn't be as noticeable if there weren't as many tracks running SLM''s, and if there were more teams running the class, obviously.

 

skulll, i don't know why tracks won't at least try it. my god, they gonna wait till there are two left at each track........

[CLEETUS INC]

The tires Lunger used sat night at Sharon were 55 RR that was used in season final at Sharon last year then ppms for both nights of pittsburger then heat and feature sat night at Sharon. And now its junk. Ppms does not hurt tires so two runs at Sharon and a 55 is junk. Lr might get 3 nights if lucky same with rf. The tire bill is just way to much for most to overcome. The only new tire lunger has used this year is a rf sat night everything else last years tires.

Dennis should come run Pittsburgh, good field of crate cars there each week and good racing.

[wildside]

Ppms payouts are really bad. The toe is 2:15 one way for us. Pit fees at ppms also suck.I guess we can't win all tracks have problems we like racing Sharon 45 min from home. We will be at ppms a few times this year.rsraceteam

[jake shady]

crate racing turned into cheating shortly after it was born. it also got real expencive real fast.  cheater bolt kits easily available.  expencive shocks,header kits and carbs,  low drag rears and trannys, light weight gears.  i believe semi -late class of amp and racing for heros is as good of an option as any.   small camshaft really evens it up.  plus its easily to tech.   tracks must enforce rules.  tech all cars often.   semi-late model racing is here and it can be done affordable.   

[dirtslinger82]

If you think tire bills are out of hand now, what till you can't touch the crate tires after the 100 lapper.  That is going to drastically elevate cost because you will not get the wear out of an untouched tire like you can now grooving them as need.  Sad the lazy folks had to ruin that!

[The Legend]

Tires last forever when you can groove and sipe !!!!! Forever and ever !!!!!!! So let's take an hour to prepare a tire .... Instead of working a paying job .... Then run over a tree branch from hillside dirt and cut said tire .... That's enough to really get a fella all horned up !!! That no grooving no siping rule was the best idea ever

[BUTTBEAK]

If you think tire bills are out of hand now, what till you can't touch the crate tires after the 100 lapper.  That is going to drastically elevate cost because you will not get the wear out of an untouched tire like you can now grooving them as need.  Sad the lazy folks had to ruin that!

 

 

Doesn't siping of a hard dirt tire increase wear?  Cuts release heat, and allow tire to run cooler,yet increases wear also?

Edited by BUTTBEAK, 29 April 2014 - 01:26 PM.

[dirtslinger82]

Yea you're right, what ever was I thinking? I feel like such an idiot! I'm sure the national touring series will be next to jump right on that bandwagon too!!!!!

[BUTTBEAK]

Never mind.

 

Edited by BUTTBEAK, 29 April 2014 - 07:08 PM.