30 replies to this topic

[thebigdueceduece]

Good point

[bobvogtjr30]

I hated the extra cost of the transponders in the beginning as did everyone else, but now in my first year of scoring I can tell you that they help in making sure line ups are correct. As for the raceiver they are an extreme time saver. We have been done in less than 3 hours most nights with 5 divisions and an intermission at raceway 7 this year. If anyone would like to dispute the importance of those devices I extend an invitation to you this Friday and you can see first hand the benefits of them. I completely understand not liking the extra cost but they dramatically speed things up and ensure everyone is where they are supposed to be and line ups are accurate and everyone is given a fair chance. Every track has a hand scorer as well as a computer, as most tracks only have 1 loop at the start/finish line, unlike nascars loops that are about every 10 foot or so

[The Legend]

Same argument that ruins every class ... You can buy a used XYZ on eBay cheaper than you can buy a new one of x. Always comparing apples to oranges. They are supposed to be entry level classes working guys can afford. If they want no rules they can run superlate

[ramsey31]

Its a tough line.   When I started, My plans were to run Marion Center, so I built to run competitively at MCS.  There are always the written rules and the rules they enforce.  Most of the time its a very distinct difference.   I have also found that the people who scream the loudest and tell everyone they are legal, are the big hat, no cattle type.   Those who want everyone to believe something that isn't true.  A true legal car needs not vocally back it up to everyone else.

 

Now while it would be much more expensive for the cars already built-to build backwards, I don't think Bo's (correct me if Im wrong Bo) intent is to keep a rule set that satisfies the life time FWD or PS racer.   The harder it is for a new driver to enter the sport, the sport will be the one that suffers.  Look at our local Late Model and Street Stocks fields, Ill bet the bulk majority of those racers are 40+.   Im not saying there is anything wrong with age, but each year more drivers retire, and it depends on new drivers to replenish the field.  THIS ISNT HAPPENING!

 

When I started watching racing in 1988, the low classes had the biggest car counts, and it kind of trickled down as you went up in class.   Now its the exact opposite.   The late model fields are the largest, and the beginning classes are struggling.   Because many of those who could get in reasonable did so, caught the bug and have worked their way up.   10 years from now, if we have to depend on the new drivers entering the sport to keep it going....there will not be a track around.    I admire Bo and his staff for taking a near term pass on car counts, to build the supporting class into what it should be, and making an investment into his tracks future.

 

 Bo is choosing to plant his own seeds and grow them into the tomato plant he wants, then take those seeds and regrow them again.    Most of the complaining drivers today would rather he dig up a fully grown tomato plant that has 1 year left of growth, then wonder why in 10 years the class has turned into what it is today.

Edited by ramsey31, 04 June 2015 - 08:52 AM.

[race ace]

the reason the street stock class is dying is because it is out of hand and owner/drivers choose to stay off the track until it is brought back to what it was and dont bother saying if you want to run with the big dogs you have to spend more money because i have spent plenty of that and  tracks keep on raising the bar to make you spend more . i have said a hundred times that there are good cars sitting because the tracks catered to the high dollar no limit budget guys .i have even offered up ideas on how to make the class more even by making you run a hard tire or a big motor car run heavier like Hesston is doing but nobody wants to hear it .but you will like to hear this, a friend of mine was talking to a Hummingbird employee and the employee said "it looks like the street stock class is about done "i say if you don't fix this now by having a drivers meeting at the end of the year this once mighty class that had 26 cars in it will be gone forever and the purestocks are next.within a few years . i built a street stock to the rules and the track changed the rules now it is the tracks responsibility to figure out where the cars went.

[jo73]

Yea, let's not have a set of rules so that driver's can have a option of where to race at. That in itself would just make way to much sense. Everyone has there own ideas of what rules a sportsman car should fall under. Give me a break. The promoters are killing the entry level class. Doesn't anyone realize that most of these guys cannot go from track to track because of rule variations. That is a shame. There are many competitive cars out there that are over 5 yrs. old or older. I ask you, can any other class say that ? And please don't tell me about the 7 car fields. I'm heading to the men's restroom or the concession stand. Go look at the classifieds on this site. There are dam good cars 4 sale that people cannot give away. There are guys that moved up. 1 of there reasons ? We can now go to other tracks. Promoters want THERE rules so they can lock these guys in at there racetracks. If you don't believe that, your eyes are closed. Go watch the penn/Ohio series at ppms on July 11 for that race. I think you're going to see 1 hell of a race. Nobody talks rules for sprint cars, SLM, or modified divisions. Why ? Because the rules are consistent. You think when lernerville or any other Friday track rains out that the Saturday night tracks are not hoping for a few of those guys to drop in ? WOW, guess what class cannot do that ?

[bobvogtjr30]

Most ss rules are the same. I ran AMP,dog.hollow, Marion center, race way 7, eriez, and Mercer. Only thing I changed was the carb! Its not that they are different it's that it cost too Damn much for what they pay. IMO put them on a hard 8 inch tire with a 2bbl carb/shock claim rule with a 602 weight break option and put it back into talent and setup and not just who has the biggest motor with the softest big tire.

[jo73]

All racing cost to dam much. This is not a money making adventure.

[bobvogtjr30]

It does but there are no affordable entry level classes anymore. Hard to get someone new started in it when costs are this high

[thebigdueceduece]

Reason entry level classes are suffering is because PS drivers don't move up to ss anymore cause the cost is almost the same as a late model. So that has boosted the lm class counts. But fwd is wayyy out of control with NO tech. They need to be stock. PERIOD. PS at hummingbird and thunder mtn IMO is good low rules for that class costs. Ss is what was mentioned above. Out of control and not worth the money to move up. And late model is what it has always been. Expensive and competitive. You need good drivers with good equipment. Mostly. There are drivers that are successful in LM that are doing a lot with very little. If you tech hard enough...you'll find guys not spending the money to boost motors or put expensive illegal shit on cars because they don't want caught. Do your job as a track when teching and it will be worth it. People will bitch...drivers will bitch....all I think you say as a track is follow the rules. Don't cheat...bottom line. Let them bitch...the may not come back for a week...but others will come cause they know they won't get cheated out of a win or can't compete with someone who has put a ton of money in a big motor in a "entry level" class

[jo73]

Cost the same as a late model ? Sportsman, top quality cars, listed in the classifieds forum. 5000 to 7500. turn key. Yes, some are higher-priced and they will be collecting dust. Late model rollers, Price wise there all over the place. Your not going to touch a competitive car for the same price. So, how can a sportsman car be as costly ? I have been told a good used right rear will cost you 25.00 and can last anywhere from 4 to 6 shows. Where does someone think these 2 classes can be Compared ? It's a mute point, the only point I have tried to get across is that this class Needs the respect the other big 3 get. Constructed correctly and these cars would be cheaper, easier to drive on a 10"tire, and a car they can learn from in hopes of moving up. My thoughts are that a guy comes from a 8" tire car and moves up to even a crate car he has a much harder time adjusting to the horsepower and tire difference. Where as A guy moving up today has a better chance of not being discouraged.