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Southern Sportsman Series Returns In 2013!!!
Now that I've got your attention, wouldn't it be great? There are a bunch of Sportsman guys (and fans) that would love for this to happen. The series was a smashing success, before FASCAR pulled the plug on all touring series after 2008. It wasn't because the series wasn't successful, it was because FASCAR didn't want to run the touring series anymore. There was a ton of interest from competitors this past winter for the failed Sportsman Challenge Series. Over 25 teams showed interest, a set of universally inclusive rules were agreed upon and a 6 race mini series was put into place at 3 tracks before the director bowed out and the series folded. He wanted to hand the whole deal off to me but I'm a racer and I didn't want the responsibility or the conflict of interest. The plan was to model the success of Rick Bristol's FUPS Truck series, but the pressure was just too much for the director to handle (even though he had the best intentions). I think that a major part of the problem was that he just got started way too late and he didn't realize the enormity of what needs to be accomplished to get something like this off the ground. There are a ton of guys that will support this deal. Look at some of the guys who race around the state. Nicholls tows from Orlando to race at Citrus, so does Thomas and I believe the Williamsons and Morris would tow all the way to Bristol for a Sportsman race if they would have one and those are just a few. The reason I mention this now, is this is the time that someone would have to put something together for it to be something successful for 2013. A director would have to be someone with a solid knowledge of local racing, humble enough to kiss some track owner butt, yet strong enough to keep fickle racers in line (without turning them off). You'd have to have strong marketing skills because a MAJOR regional sponsor would be needed to help offset costs so that the track owners don't have to shoulder all of the risk and burden of the purse. Most of all you would have to simply love racing because taking this on will be a lot of work with little to no financial gain (at least initially). Now is the time because most businesses make their budgets and allocate their advertising budgets in the Fall. I would be willing (along with a bunch of other Sportsman guys) to help in this deal and there still is a lot of stuff I have from the Sportsman Challenge Series to get things off the ground. Citrus, Desoto, Auburndale and Bronson were interested in being involved before and, with a sponsor helping out, I'd bet so would Ellisville (Lake City,Columbia), Showtime, New Smyrna and Orlando also. If something could be worked out with Punta Gorda on the tire deal (guarantee at least 2 races so its worth buying Good Years?) they could be on the schedule also. Something like this would take a lot of understanding and patience on the racers part as well as a lot of help. So, Sportsman guys, are you willing to step up to the plate? And more importantly is there ANYBODY, ANYBODY out there that's up to the task of running this thing? Don't bother wasting posts saying I'm a dreamer, fat chance, etc. Its so easy to tear something down than to help build something. Let's hear some positive opinions and if anybody knows anybody that is interested in running this, then private message me and I will help get the ball rolling and get others involved. Rick Bristol did it with the Trucks, why can't we? So Sportsman guys, HOW BAD DO YOU WANT THIS? 
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