Press Release: Outcome Of Owners Meeting

[Carol Andrews]

The outcome of the owners meeting held Oct 4, was very successful.
Tracks that were represented agreed that they will be working together for the 2011 racing season. It was a very well received meeting all the way around. Owners have agreed to work together hand in hand. They are looking at using the same tires.
same fuel prices,
and same payout for racers.

Further details to come later.

[carolwicks]

tires

im curious who will change their tires. PGS has Goodrich, DSS has Hoosiers and Citrus has American Racers... which one will they use?
carol aka oz

[UREZ2PASS]

I wish all tracks would keep their current tire vender but open the tire rule to any tire of the same size and design. Then we could race the tire we like and tire venders would have to keep pricing in check or risk low sales.

[UREZ2PASS]

Another point, multiple tire venders also would create a tire construction competition from the manufactures which might turn into a benefit to us. A better tire at a better price.

[Jimmy McKinley]

How many track owners showed up - and *who* showed up from those tracks? There's only seven paved tracks in the state (Punta Gorda, Inverness, Bradenton, Penscola, Auburndale, Orlando, and New Smyrna) that I can think of right off-hand. Bronson is still there, just not available for racing right away; same with St. Augustine.

When you say they "agreed to work together", what all does that mean? Same rules for every division at every track? Same tire, motor, and weight rules for similar divisions? Example: SLM - 2,800lbs, 358ci limit, same body rules, same Goodyear/Hoosier/American Racer/BFGoodrich tire(s)? Can a SLM from DeSoto on Hoosiers go and run those Hoosiers at say, Auburndale, when their rules state "American Racer"? Or will it be like "Run your track rules when you go to visit another track"? Will the two FASCAR tracks cooperate with the rest of the state, so guys can run the same car(s) at every track, and not have to have a car built "FOR" FASCAR rules, then every other track/rulebook?

Years ago, it wasn't uncommon to see cars with four different brands of tires on all four corners of the cars. You could run Palm Beach on Friday night, then go over to Sunshine and run on Saturday night, with the same car (with a gear change, of course). Why? Because the tracks all had just about the same rules (or lack thereof, in some cases...LOL). A Late Model from down south was legal at Pensacola. A Thunder Car from Inverness might've been a Street Stock (or what's now Super Stock) at say, Orlando. Why? Because the rules were the same everywhere.

"They'll work together" certainly still leaves a lot of questions unanswered from at least this fan's point of view.

[Frasson118]

"They are looking at using the same tires.
same fuel prices,
and same payout for racers."

Same tires??? This won't happen. No track is gonna give up their kickback from the "Official Track Tire" supplier

Same Fuel Prices??? This means the price will go UP, but at least the tracks won't be competing against each other for the business.

Same Payout??? This means the payout will be lowered. Right now, I don't know of any track in the area that can afford a payout increase. "Same payout" means that some tracks will go DOWN in the purse structure. Owners won't have to hear the complaints like "$400 to win? Auburndale pays $700.." Nobody will have to hear the threats of guys "going over there" because of $$$. Who really believes that a track will INCREASE their purse to get in line with the others?

I would LOVE to see tracks on the same page as far as rules, divisions, comparable purses that are FAIR to the teams, but using these 3 examples of "working together" sounds a lot like a smoke & mirror show to me.

[Joker139]

Jimmy, I know it's just an oversight, but Columbia is still in business also.

[Pun33]

so like was asked before, who were there?
what tracks had a rep there?

[ancrdave]

I spoke with Rex Guy this morning and he was very pleased with the meeting on Monday. ALL tracks were represented which is good to see.
There were a number of issues touched on and there are still several that are being worked on. The owners are in agreement that, with the current state of the economy, they MUST WORK TOGETHER for the betterment of the sport in Florida. Until all details discussed in the meeting are addressed and decisions are made, the owners agreed that no information will be forthcoming. Once all details are finalized, there will be a press release... Some things may be quite surprising and very good for the drivers, teams and fans. 2011 is looking very good for racing in Florida.

[Jimmy McKinley]

Robert Hart showed up there? Really?

[ronabneysr]

i got one question to ask

here it is i arrive at gate with me - driver - and 3 guys that work on car we pay our way in . then pay fee for car most time and pay for slab . now we go park . while they are unloading car out of trailer i get six wheels and three five gallon gas jugs .

and go pay for six tires and 15 gallon of racing fuel now when we get the car dialed in and tires scuffed and car is ok we put it back on jack stands now it;s time for five guys to get some thing to eat and drink

by then there are five wifes or girl friends and 12 kids that have to pay to get in to races ; plus gas it took them to get to races ''

now we also had to buy diesel fuel for hauler that gets 8 mpg

now i want jimmy mckinley to guess how much i spent this will be the cheapiest trip of all them because it's from south lakeland to auburn dale

no if we go to citrus add 200.00 if we go to charlotte county add 300

if we go to east bay take away 700


any body can guess how much it cost and then figure out if you win do you have enough left to buy a 12 pack of bud light

:ernaehrung004:

[UREZ2PASS]

Ron,
Your example is exactly why short track racing in Florida is a hobby. Except if there is an IRS agent reading this, no sir it is a legitimate business.

[crobinson76]

fuel 150 dollars tires 580 .00 slab 20.00 crew 120.00 wifes 200.00 food 60,00 truck fuel 100.00 dont ya just want to load up an go well put ron your on it now lets see why you wont be racing in 2011 an then get sent to the rear on a bad call from the broom crew from the infeild with a radio thank you 1000.00 down the drain
:mad

[10racing]

here it is i arrive at gate with me - driver - and 3 guys that work on car we pay our way in . then pay fee for car most time and pay for slab . now we go park . while they are unloading car out of trailer i get six wheels and three five gallon gas jugs .

and go pay for six tires and 15 gallon of racing fuel now when we get the car dialed in and tires scuffed and car is ok we put it back on jack stands now it;s time for five guys to get some thing to eat and drink

by then there are five wifes or girl friends and 12 kids that have to pay to get in to races ; plus gas it took them to get to races ''

now we also had to buy diesel fuel for hauler that gets 8 mpg

now i want jimmy mckinley to guess how much i spent this will be the cheapiest trip of all them because it's from south lakeland to auburn dale

no if we go to citrus add 200.00 if we go to charlotte county add 300

if we go to east bay take away 700


any body can guess how much it cost and then figure out if you win do you have enough left to buy a 12 pack of bud light

:ernaehrung004:

Then you have to pay for any damage that happens to your car.

[ronabneysr]

we will be back to racing next year have ---------

problem we have not raced much this year my son was just not getting up on wheel and getting tired . took while too figure it out

with him just being 37 years old never been sick married two children with a bussiness that was 24 -7

after going to doctor and many test he has colon cancer he don't smoke so on october 19 just a few weeks he goe s into moffit cancer center to have his colon removed -

if any one knows me and my wife we only have one child -- hard to call a 37 man a child ' so i hope ever thing works out we have never ever been apart since he was born work together and live two miles apart

so next week my wife has decided for me to have the same test before he goes in for surgery don't worry about me please pray for my son thank you

ron abney sr