Auburndale 100 Lap Late Model Race

[critter]

March 28 2015
100 Lap Late Model Race
Pays 3000.00 to Win . 400.00 to start
100.00 entry fee
New tires must be purchased at track . (Tire Impound)
No fuel purchase required.
I look forward to seeing you at the track.
Thank You . Critter

[Matt Albee]

Well now that's just downright disappointing Critter. . Mandatory tire purchase???? Seems like you could impound a guys tires that were purchased from someplace besides the track too.

[critter]

Matt
I knew you would be disappointed with that post you should notice It is an impound race the only way to really keep it fair is to do that with all the different chemicals for tire prep Availible today .sorry to dissapoint . Critter.

[Matt Albee]

Just interesting that the track is the only place racers are allowed to buy these new tires.
I've always been curious about the reason for preventing racers from " soaking " tires. I mean, who cares? The chemicals can't be extremely expensive, so that can't be a factor. And the practice must be widespread since there are numerous companies advertising their tire softener. So like i said, who cares?
And why is this race an impound, when other races aren't?

[OldSchool+]

Matt--a shot at creating a known level playing field, perhaps?

Remember, those four rectangular patches are all that tie the car to the track...

[Matt Albee]

You're probably right about that. But then, the playing field is never really level. There's always a better driver, a better chassis man, a better engine builder, etc. It just seems like tire soaking is a pretty small piece of the picture since a lot of racers do it anyway, and the costs of doing it aren't very high. And i'm told that soaking tires a can actually give used tires a new lease on life, thereby cutting tire costs for the racers.

I wonder if the reason this is an impound race is that the prize money is higher than a normal weekly race, so the track owner feels he needs to force the racers to buy his tires so he can offer the bigger purse? Another case of the track using the racers money instead of his own or the sponsors.
It looks as though the smaller teams would bypass this type of race. After being forced to buy $700 or $800 dollars worth of tires means that if you don't finish in the top 5, you'll lose money by even showing up. How many teams can afford that?

[OldSchool+]

"...the playing field is never really level. There's always a better driver, a better chassis man, a better engine builder, etc."--Matt A.

Correct. Outcomes are never equal in racing. And happily so.

That is the crux of "racing", otherwise it is a shriner's parade.

All dat aside, as you say the playing field isn't level--but the rules make it somewhat so. Can you really imagine the rules reading: "Tire soaking is okay"?

They would be bringing vats of the stuff to the track and dunking new tires in it.
And teams would be adding "special ingredients" until the rubber would be coming off onto pit road before the car left the pits.

[Matt Albee]

I think many teams are already doing exactly that.

[ancrdave]

50-lapper the same night at New Smyrna too for SLM...

[elmer]

Well we know Scofield will probably be there. Beings that he and Rex Guy are good buddy's. But I'm sure with BIG BOY "Ricky Brooks" and Critter running the show, the race will be clean,as they will not allow any of his shinagans. Let's see how many more he can tear up!!

[amfchassis]

jeff was banned from auburndale last year