Attention all Super Late Models “Goodyear USA Memorial 100 laps of CCMP”!!!!

[Bobby Diehl]

Yes, we will have the Super Late Models back. August 9th 2008. This race is sponsored by the Goodyear Racing Tires. There will be a $14,000.00 plus (based on 20 cars) purse. BUT, You must buy one set of tires (Goodyear). This is a Goodyear Sponsored Race!!!! Goodyear ONLY will be allowed!!!! The tires are in call for times.
100 laps
$3000.00 to Win
$300.00 (you must buy one set of tires to race)
In memory Lakeland USA that is now gone so support the few tracks you have left.
$175.00 entry $150.00 if pre-entry.
Mail to: 8655 Piper Rd. Punta Gorda Fl.33982
Call for pit slabs. 941-575-7223
As always thanks to those that support Short Track Racing!!!
Also thanks to Goodyear for stepping up and sponsoring the Race!!!
Bobby Diehl

[ss82]

Bobby, is this a one race thing or is the track switching back to Goodyears?

[Bobby Diehl]

Sponsor for the USA Memorial 100!!!!

At this point we have American, Goodyear, and Towel Tires. But, The Super Lates Model "Goodyear USA 100 Memorial 100" is to say go bye to an old friend. Lakeland USA Speedway. Goodyear has been the Official tire at USA for years. And the Super Late Models have been the FAN's choose since it opened. Goodyear will be the Official tire of the race. We will feature any sponsor that steps up.
Thanks Goodyear for supporting the Super Late Models. We are open to anyone else that wants to sponsor something at CCMP.
Bobby Diehl

[chassisdude]

Pay-out

I'm just curious, with buying tires, entry fee, slab rental, crews pit passes, and racing fuel used, what does let say tenth place pay? Just wondered if a mid-field running car could break even money wise. With todays economy the way it is, money is tighter now than it has been in a while. Always see the big number for the winner, just wondered what 10th or 12th got as pay-out.

[Winger]

I don't know the payouts but I don't believe you will break even in most events without a top 3 finish. Exceptions being for WoO series, Lucas series, Advanced Auto Series, basically the larger traveling series. However, to be competitive in those you need a couple $30,000 motors, expensive haulers with living quarters and garage, etc. I think the UDLMCS has a decent payout through the field. It just depends on how much you spend on getting crew members, etc. in. If you make the race, you may break even. Remember a bunch of good cars go home without making those races.

Entry fee, tires, slab rental, gasoline, pit passes, practice, etc. and I can't believe a top 5 will cover expenses for this race. I'd like to have someone in the know come on here and prove me wrong with a list of expenses and payout. Entry fee and tires alone are $450 if you pre-entered. That's why it's a hobby for most people. I can't really think of any series that supports a professional racer in Florida (other than Nascar).

[SLMnum8]

Seriously?

Now come on guys...we all know there's not a asphalt race in FL where a mid pack car will break even, and hasn't for many many years. It's the unfortunate state of racing down here. So let's not get on Bobby for that. The only way it will ever change is if more cars come out and provide some great racing which will draw more fans. If Bobby gets more cars and more fans he'll bump up that purse or lower the costs in a heart beat. So come out and have some fun. See ya the 9th!
Sean

[Winger]

You're entirely correct. From what I hear, I think Bobby is doing a great job. My post was not meant as an insult to him or anyone for that matter.

[chassisdude]

Doesn't have to be that way

I know a lot of southern boys don't want to hear it, but raced late models in Ohio for a lot of years. Last year I owned car up north was 2000, we ran races for $800 to win, I believe it was 175 or 200 for 10th place car. We ran those tires I talked about on here many times before, both goodyear and hoosier that lasted 8 to 10 races, no entry fee, 25 dollar pit pass. Rented slab for the year $200. Car always maintained its self money wise. Our car always finished top 3, but a lot of friends that finished behind us still would pay the weekly racing bill with the winnings. Inicial investment, lefthander, aluminum head dry sump was out of my pocket, but the car payed the weekly bills, so why can't that happen here in Florida??? Oh ya the stands where always full and averaged between 16 and 20 late models in the feature. Not picking on any one person, just don't know why it has to be this way in Florida? No I'm not going back up north, I happen to like the weather down here a lot.

[fred23]

Chassisdude may have brought up one of the biggest reasons for low car counts and spectator counts in FLorida.....the weather IS good. Up north they race maybe 6 or 7 months. Down here we race basically all year. It is tough to race 35-40 weeks a year for a lot of people. I would like to see the tracks give each class at least one week off a month if not two. It would give the guys a chance to work on their stuff and probably create the "itch" for drivers if they aren't racing every week. It almost becomes a never ending weekly chore to get loaded up and haul to the track.

It has been brought up by numerous people including myself to maybe not race so much in June, July and August. Mainly because of the heat and daily thunderstorms. You are usually 50/50 at best of getting to race. What if a track had one BIG show each of those months. Obvioulsy July 4th being one.

[Winger]

Fred23, you make some good points. Attitudes towards racing are completely different in the north. Weather is a huge part of it. However, many racers in the north race at least twice a week and many 3,4, or even 5 times a week during the peak. Then they have 7 months to recover. I think, as you do,that Florida racing should utilize more of the winter months for racing and less in the summer. I personally hate the real hot weather and always watching the sky for a thunderstorm to ruin the evening. I've got so I don't go to a lot of summer shows because of the chance of rain. Particularly with the price of gas and distance I need to travel. I'm sure I'm not alone. It's ironic that you mention the Fourth of July as being one of the big shows. In the north that is one of the biggest nights of the year for racing. Huge crowds and fireworks. Down here most of the tracks closed because of Daytona. I can't understand that. When Nascar travels to Pocono, Watkins Glen, Dover, etc. all the local tracks have their shows. If there isn't a conflict they try to get a Cup driver or two to appear. Of course none of those Cup tracks run night shows. However a lot of the Cup crowd will go and catch a local short track show. I would think the same thing would happen here. Just like speedweeks. I'd like to catch a race and fireworks show on that night rather than just catch a fireworks show and watch TV. Of course I'd still be watching the sky for a storm. Another advantage to hosting more winter shows would be the ability to attract the snowbirds to a race or two. I guarantee a lot of snowbird race fans would love to brag to their friends, freezing in the snow, that they're at the races every weekend. Of course the tracks would have to get the message of the shows out to the public and that would require a good promoter.

[ovalracer44]

Winger you make a good point!. I have told Boneman that FL tracks should have a september to april racing season. Who wants to go sit on hot bleachers and watch racing these days when there is so many other things to do.

I was down for the Orlando Winter series and i was still sweating in the middle of the day in december and january!

[SLMnum8]

chassisdude

Where in Ohio did you race? I'm from Columbus and raced at Columbus Motor Speedway, Kil Kare, & Shady Bowl. Moved to Florida in 83. To answer the earlier question on payout 10th pays $400, 11th on back is $300. Mike (Sean's Dad)

[chassisdude]

Thanks for the reply on the pay-off. Moved down here in 93 from Cleveland. My home track was Lorain County, but have raced all over Ohio and Michigan. Sandusky, Midvale, Columbus, Mansfield, Toledo, Flat Rock, Dixie and a couple times at Lake Erie in Pa. Lorain was home track, but Mansfield was my favorite of late. Thanks again for pay-out info. Rick