16 replies to this topic

[T-440]

Been a long time since I posted on here, and just about as long since I've been to a race.  Been wondering recently how the Semi-Late division has been going the past couple seasons.  When that class was started at AMP, I thought then that it could be a great class for this area, and I still feel that way.  I saw that there were 16 cars at Hummingbird this past weekend.  I remember when there was only 2 when the class first started.  I heard that Thunder Mountain and Dog Hollow are also running Semi-Lates.  Are the rules the same for all the tracks?  Are the rules the same as the original AMP Semi-Lates?  I seem to remember the class at AMP paid $100 to start the feature, that is one difference I've seen looking around that now it is $50.  

 

Like I said, I've been out of the loop for a while, and haven't followed much the past couple years.  I've been really surprised by the growth of the Rush Crate Modifieds!  Seems like that class has really grown!  

[jo73]

Guys that are open wheel racers have gone to make the rush mods a full field week in/out. As for the semi-lates, I have not seen them run, my only opinion is once you drop down from the SLM there is just to dam many classes. I originally liked the idea of the rush late models, but, the class has gotten way outta hand dollars wise. A new XR-1, Shock packages, traction control, guys throwing new tires on every chance they get, it has gotten way out of hand. In my opinion rush needs to step in and say wooooo guys, this class was for guys dropping down a class or for sportsman guys moving up a class. Right now you have a SLM and a crate car roll on the track you can't tell them apart. Let's get some body rules, shocks, the tires you start the night off on the right side stay on till nights end. Feature race winner from the previous week, the 12 hole is reserved for you.

[714d]

Guys I've talked to are very happy with the class. Thunder mtn, Hummingbird, and dog hollow all run the same rules and I've seen some go to tech. Engine rules allow you to build a winning motor for $5-6k no problem. Cars are mostly 5-10 years old, so dirt cheap there. Thunder mountain pays a bit more than the other tracks, but Hummingbird seems to get a few more cars consistently running on Saturday nights with no other track to compete for cars. pays better than a street stock with WAY less expensive motor. If more guys keep getting into them, or on nights they all show up, it's some good racing.

[Walt Wimer]

No "Semi-lates" down this way, but I guess they are sort of between a "steel block" limited Late Model and a Street Stock??  But really don't quite fit into either class??

 

GOOD RACING!!

 

Walt

[94.3-RADRACER]

i believe they make the crates run with the slm's at hummingbird.......i know lunger smoked all the steel blocks at mercer with a crate.....aluminum heads? i don't know the reason.

[714d]

The semi lates are steel heads, and also no adjustable shocks. Most crate guys shocks would be illegal. I think the 604s would be fine if they were legal otherwise. I can see them mixing in the next year or so. The semis of this area are what I WISH the crates would have been from the beginning, a true budget class.

[deathpunch]

Semi is a great class . No adjustable shocks. 602 crates can run with them but no 604s.(rightly so) cam lift limit no roller cams no sumps. Very affordable class. Marion center was also thinking about adding them over the winter we went to there meeting about the class and I'm so happy they didn't add them. They would have ruined the class in a year. They basically said we dont care about tje rules as long u pump 358 or smaller.. which would have opened up the costs of a motor greatly.

It's a competitive class. And a class where street stocks can come up to or slm can move down. Perfect example is Don Henry and bj Hudson moved down. And surra and nate Smith moved up. As long as they keep tech up it will continue to grow!

Edited by deathpunch, 12 July 2017 - 06:58 PM.

[deathpunch]

The semi lates are steel heads, and also no adjustable shocks. Most crate guys shocks would be illegal. I think the 604s would be fine if they were legal otherwise. I can see them mixing in the next year or so. The semis of this area are what I WISH the crates would have been from the beginning, a true budget class.

604s will never run with them. A car came in last year with a 604 and nearly lapped the field took the money loaded up and left . Then was caught the follow night atteptimg to do it again at the bird.

The 604s are far superior to the small 358s

[T-440]

Thanks for the replies!  I remember when the class was first introduced at AMP, they said the 602 crate motor would be ok to use.  I like the fact that you can buy a crate, or if you prefer, you can build your own engine.  I thought back when the class started, if they kept the shock rule to keep that cost down, and had a reasonable weight rule so teams weren't spending piles of money on light weight parts, it would be a good class for this area.  

 

I'm anxious to get up to Thunder Mountain or Hummingbird to see this class run.  I think if the bottom end of the purse was raised, the class could really take off.

[deathpunch]

T-440 my best friend won the points championship at both thunder n the bird last year in a 08 lazer with a small 355. We ran afco non adjustable gas shocks (no Schrader valves). Very inexpensive shock package considering what u could buy. I know others are now on Integra/penskes etc but still a good rule.

[snooky]

Class has ton of potential. They have to keep teching the hell out of them. I know Lee,Surra and Clark (11) were pumped, cam lift cked and cked for flat top pistons. Surra and Lee were in tech last week too.dont Know what was cked

Edited by snooky, 12 July 2017 - 10:23 PM.

[K.H.]

What makes people think that a 604 has more power than a 358? A 604 has 10 to 1 compression, a hydraulic roller cam, stock Chevy aluminum heads and 350 cubic inches.

Edited by K.H., 13 July 2017 - 07:51 AM.

[3 link]

What makes people think that a 604 has more power than a 358? A 604 has 10 to one compression, a hydraulic roller cam, stock Chevy aluminum heads and 350 cubic inches.

AND the worst valve train in "racing" engines.......................rushes max spring pressure allowed is 98lbs +/- 5....travis will let ya slide with 105lbs....my ball point pen has more spring pressure than that......

Edited by 3 link, 13 July 2017 - 07:27 AM.

[scruffy1a]

What makes people think that a 604 has more power than a 358? A 604 has 10 to 1 compression, a hydraulic roller cam, stock Chevy aluminum heads and 350 cubic inches.

The guy who said they're superior watched a car with one clean house.  Don't the 604's aluminum heads keep it off limits for this class, regardless?  

[K.H.]

The guy who said they're superior watched a car with one clean house.  Don't the 604's aluminum heads keep it off limits for this class, regardless?

So the point is, I don't think that the 604 has a horsepower advantage, the aluminum heads only merit is a few pounds off the front. So it would add more cars to the class.

Edited by K.H., 13 July 2017 - 12:00 PM.

[714d]

Put a stopwatch on them at dog hollow some night. That's the only place that runs both crates and semi lates. Only difference there would be shocks, but it would give a good idea how they would compare.

[MBRLLC]

So the point is, I don't think that the 604 has a horsepower advantage, the aluminum heads only merit is a few pounds off the front. So it would add more cars to the class.

It's more than a "few" pounds and given the location of that weight it does have an affect on handling. Keep it all iron on the block and heads and keep teching like they have been and it'll keep growing. Thankfully Marion Center didn't pick them up because they would have ruined the class.