All Pro Trucks!!!

[mctimeron]

We will be meeting in Melbourne with your trucks for an event to bring back the touring series the right way. We will meet at 8:30 am on saturday October 29th at the Waffle House in Melbourne on 192. It is just east of I-95 on the left hand side of the road. We will then go to the event site to show off the trucks!!! Thanks Ronnie You can contact at 321-403-7558

[Rick B.]

Ronnie can I assume ?

Ronnie,

Can I assume, what I am working on to try to get trucks back together with common rules, cost cutting measures, fair play etc. Is the wrong way ? I would certainly never expect every driver to like me or what we are trying to do. I was simply trying to help those that called me and asked me to help. I will tell you this if there is another group and a fight to try to have races etc. It does not help anyone. The truck counts will still suffer. And I am not in this to have another Diehl vs Nerone war for trucks. No one else was doing anything so I stepped up and offered to help after receiving many phone calls and requests. You tried to do this before, remember it will be hard to get races at tracks. Specially if the 7 tracks that plan to participate in the series we are trying to finalize for next year, I would offer you to sit down with myself and others to hear your ideas etc. I really am trying to open and work with everyone to try to have a good series. As I said though I am not going to be in this for a war over trucks. It will not work, specially in the times we are right now. Just thought I would let you know. Thanks !

[Bobby Diehl]

Well now thank my name was down in the middle.

Rick you were one of the many Race Directors for FASTRUCK (over the 13's year we raced). You even had a truck after you resigned. You've done a GREAT job developing the Charity Truck Race. It was a break away from the FASTRUCK Series and a stand allow show. Yes, Don and I had some great battles that killed to Momentum of the trucks. Remember that we had 56 trucks at Lakeland and average over 38 through the 2004 Season. Heck we even when to GA and started 28 Pro with 14 FASTKIDS start. And right when we were in the middle of developing the next step some people (Don being just one of them) decided to make trucks work at their own Tracks on a regular division. Now look were it is. Under 10 trucks on a regular basis. Ronnie has been working behind the scenes. He has the start to getting a REAL Pro Truck Series going again (with their own Officials great pay outs, and much more). The FASTRUCKs are done, BUT the concept is even more important today because of the bad times. Rather than trying to do a half as.. program with the same problems that put the FASTRUCK away (tracks having lower payout's, NO TECH, different rules, non consistent calls etc....). The NEW Series is based on a PRO-Touring TRUCK program. It would be a attraction for the tracks involved. TV could be part and we all know what it did for FASTRUCKs. I commend you on trying to rekindle the trucks, but would doing business in the same way will not change it from where it is today. If you really want to make a difference you should be there first in line. Remember we started with one truck a make a pretty go series. Thanks for dropping my name in the middle. Remember that there is as many a 150 trucks in the State (most just sitting)........
Bobby Diehl
813-817-RACE (7223)
=

[UREZ2PASS]

I'm kinda dumb is there really two developing truck series for next year ? Sounds like a developing disaster to me. I hope you guys can work towards the same goal.

[Rick B.]

Please understand this !

Your name or Don's name were not meant to slander either, just states what was the beginning of the demise of the trucks touring and having good counts. I have nothing against Ronnie either, but we have heard all this before about big payouts and sponsors and all. It is super tough right now, I know because even trying to raise money for the charity race etc. has been the hardest ever and I too have a deal on the plate for a series sponsor right now for a decent amount, will it happen? we will see. You also need to remember you need tracks to have a touring series, and right now they are trying to work together to have this series and get the rules all the same and fix some issues that have gotten out of control in the rules. I have supported the trucks a long time, wether working or racing them. I have seen the good sides and the ugly of it and some people. I am trying to simply help, as I stated I will not be in a war over it. I will also not be standing in line. I will continue to try to do my charity deal and wait to see what becomes of what we are working on for a series. Then I will know what 2012 has in store.

[DeucesWild]

Jumping on a wagon that is starting to roll in the right direction

I have a truck and currently race and support all the tracks. I however do have a real problem with someone coming out of the woodwork and trying to benefit from a persons hard work. Rick Bristol has taken a series that is in the dumpster and has turned it around heading it in the right direction in just a few short weeks. Yes we as truck owners have asked him to try and help us out in which he has. Two races have been run with decent success and participation. It is only going to get better from here. All the drivers/owners that I have spoken to are very pleased with what has taken place in just these short few weeks. I talked to Ronnie 3 years ago and he then was saying the same thing he is saying now. At what point is he going to do something? Personally I think it is just a bunch of lip service. If he was truly interested and devoted to the trucks then this thing would have been already up and going. Talk is cheap! If we would have put all of our eggs in his basket we would be no where! We certainly do not need to re live the past but do not forget the past. The past is the reason why the truck counts are like they are. No enforcement of the rules and to much special favors going on there. You can talk to any of the past truckers and they will tell you this. If he is so dedicated to the truck series then why don't he offer to help Rick and make it even better. That is if he can do what he says he can do. Don't bad mouth Rick, help him or at least offer! There just has to be a reason why he is doing what he is doing. I have my thoughts on it. Again if Ronnie thinks he can do all of what he says he can, then jump in and offer up to help Rick make it even better. Two series will not work no way no how. Bring that big money to the table like you say you can. Seeing is believing!!! Been hearing it now for three years and have not seen it yet. Rick keep doing what you are doing it is working just fine. Thanks for all you have done.

[mctimeron]

Deuceswild if you know me you know how I operate. I have told everyone the only way that I would do a touring series was if I could do it the right way. I have nothing against Rick Bristol or anyone else. Every team out there has the right to run with who ever they choose. Why would I join anyone else if I bring the money? I haven't seen anyone else spending their money to help me.

[DeucesWild]

Deuceswild if you know me you know how I operate. I have told everyone the only way that I would do a touring series was if I could do it the right way. I have nothing against Rick Bristol or anyone else. Every team out there has the right to run with who ever they choose. Why would I join anyone else if I bring the money? I haven't seen anyone else spending their money to help me.

I have seen the operation in the past. Yes I do know how the game was played. What is meant by doing it the right way? It sure was not done that way in the past! The only reason it lasted like it did and truck counts were like they were was the economy was nothing like now. People did not care about spending money. It was a spending frenzy! More money beat less money and people just did not care until things started tightening up. Then where did it go? Right down the crapper! Rules back then meant nothing. Now that rules mean something and people are getting DQ'ed I guess that is doing it wrong! I don't know if you read the post about every driver/owner writing down the 5 most things you would like seen done in the truck series. The purse money was not the # 1 issue. Number 1 was rules and enforcement of them. Fair level playing field for all, not having favorites. You are right in saying everyone should be able to run where they want to. I believe Rick Bristol has welcomed everyone to participate with the understanding of play by the rules. Again where is that wrong? Finally, in stating you don't see anyone putting their own money in with you is a ridiculous statement simply because you are not involved with anything to do with truck racing in the state. I have not yet seen in 3 plus years you putting your money in the truck purse's that I have been involved in. You are also not putting your money in what you are pledging to try and do anyway. It is someone else's money you are playing with. So please don't preach that out there! It is easy to talk with someone else's money. I guess my big question is why are you trying to undermine Rick Bristol and all of his hard work? That is just wrong the way you are going about it. Sorry but I can't support someone that work's that way. It clearly shows me that if you treat Rick this way how are you going to treat the drivers/owners? More than likely with the same respect you are giving him. NONE! Thanks for offering but no thanks! Good luck to you!

[Frasson118]

Sorry guys... I don't see enough Trucks out there as it is. Where do you figure to get a nice enough field to entice tracks to put a "touring"'series of trucks on the schedule? No matter who is trying to revive this, you've got an uphill battle.

If the truck owners can't afford to get out to their local track, how do you figure they could afford to travel?

[DeucesWild]

Rick you were one of the many Race Directors for FASTRUCK (over the 13's year we raced). You even had a truck after you resigned. You've done a GREAT job developing the Charity Truck Race. It was a break away from the FASTRUCK Series and a stand allow show. Yes, Don and I had some great battles that killed to Momentum of the trucks. Remember that we had 56 trucks at Lakeland and average over 38 through the 2004 Season. Heck we even when to GA and started 28 Pro with 14 FASTKIDS start. And right when we were in the middle of developing the next step some people (Don being just one of them) decided to make trucks work at their own Tracks on a regular division. Now look were it is. Under 10 trucks on a regular basis. Ronnie has been working behind the scenes. He has the start to getting a REAL Pro Truck Series going again (with their own Officials great pay outs, and much more). The FASTRUCKs are done, BUT the concept is even more important today because of the bad times. Rather than trying to do a half as.. program with the same problems that put the FASTRUCK away (tracks having lower payout's, NO TECH, different rules, non consistent calls etc....). The NEW Series is based on a PRO-Touring TRUCK program. It would be a attraction for the tracks involved. TV could be part and we all know what it did for FASTRUCKs. I commend you on trying to rekindle the trucks, but would doing business in the same way will not change it from where it is today. If you really want to make a difference you should be there first in line. Remember we started with one truck a make a pretty go series. Thanks for dropping my name in the middle. Remember that there is as many a 150 trucks in the State (most just sitting)........
Bobby Diehl
813-817-RACE (7223)
=

Simply put, you are living in the past! This is 2011 not 2004. Lakeland is closed and tracks all over the country are closing. Apples to oranges my friend! From where you are sitting I don't think I would be throwing stones in the glass house. You ran a race track in the ground so telling someone how to or not to run something is a little bit wrong! You had your shot and failed in good economic times! Rick has got a hard task ahead of him and is doing a great job with it. He does not need people back dooring him like is being done here. A simple phone call or meeting would show a little more respect. The way it appears, it was as much of a surprise to him as to me and other drivers/owners. Power plays don't usually work very well. I will not support someone like that. I don't stand alone in saying that either!

[DeucesWild]

Sorry guys... I don't see enough Trucks out there as it is. Where do you figure to get a nice enough field to entice tracks to put a "touring"'series of trucks on the schedule? No matter who is trying to revive this, you've got an uphill battle.

If the truck owners can't afford to get out to their local track, how do you figure they could afford to travel?

You are right! The owners/drivers in most classes are struggling now to get to the tracks. So far in the short amount of time that Rick has been working on this we have had two races with 20 trucks at both events. Not to bad for any touring series I would say. FUPS late models are getting around the same numbers and they have a whole lot more money involved. I think the tracks are on board with the trucks coming out next year with a touring series but not two series. That just won't work!

[Bigbuck]

The idea

i dont know the reason but i do not think two truck series makes any sense. Just as an onlooker it looks like someone doing more harm than good. If # 2 is sincere about getting the trucks up and running he would offer to help #1, after all Rick has asked enough times for help.

[DeucesWild]

i dont know the reason but i do not think two truck series makes any sense. Just as an onlooker it looks like someone doing more harm than good. If # 2 is sincere about getting the trucks up and running he would offer to help #1, after all Rick has asked enough times for help.

So true you nailed it. Rick don't get discouraged by Ronnie's last minute attempt to over throw you. The drivers/owners like what you are setting up and will support you. Do what you say you are going to do and keep moving forward. Talk is cheap and that is all he is is talk. This has been going on for over 3 years now. Great bench racer! The problem with the rules is because of what they allowed to get buy in the fastrucks. It just got way out of hand and then they walked away. Here we are today!

[Rick B.]

Comment to Mr. Frass !

You would be surprised at how many trucks are around, they are still out there. Most can not sell, and have been disghusted with how the truck deal has gone, they could race but choose not too right now.

Most of it is because the rules have not been enforced equally across the board, and that the tracks all seperated to ther own deal. They have been let out of hand because of the old war over the trucks and the lack of staying on top of them after the war was won and the trucks were run as a weekly division. The trucks were never meant to be a weekly division and I think that if run weekly under good rules the counts would still not be what they would as a traveling series.

I feel like there is good momentum going into next year and we can have a good touring series, while maybe not back to those 30-35 truck fields I think 20-25 is possible and some real good racing can be the show.

Just wanted to comment on your post, have not had any spirited chats with you lately....ha ha !

[Frasson118]

The first step in making it affordable would be ONE-day shows. No practice night, no extra fuel, tires, hotels, meals, etc.... If this happens, it will level the playing field. If you allow the extra days, only the money teams will show up. The low-buck guys will have their stuff up on jackstands, knowing they can't afford the expense of trying to keep up.

You need to cater to the little guys. Let them come, race (heats, not time trials......YAWN), run about a 50 lapped, and go home. One day, short and sweet. I've known several teams from many divisions, that won't show up race day, if they can't do both days. They know they are behind already, so why bother.

On the flip side, practice night is a good income generator for the track. All income, minimal expense. They get pit admission, fuel & tire sales, concessions, yet the racers get nothing but the bills.

Here's a thought... have each track that is holding a series race, also have the trucks on the schedule for the prior weeks event. This way, the track would have an enhanced weekly show, it would showcase the trucks and maybe convince some fans to make a point of coming next week, and the racers could get some track time that isn't just dumping money down the tubes. Seems like a win-win to me.

Never understood why TBARA never did that (or the host track). If I were the promoter, I would let in every Sprint car free that would come out for a 10'lap hot-lap session the week before a Sprint race. Telling people about Sprint cars doesn't do shit compared to SHOWING them a Sprint car... and explain them. Hype them up. Make people want to come back next week. Same theory could work for you guys.