FYI: The Pro Truck Divide

[scottgarrity07]

Oh no! Please don't encourage that bad idea Old School. Years ago at Phil's Waterford Speedbowl they changed the Late Model class name to "American Challenge" and allowed Trucks. It sucked and was dangerous. Sitting low in a Late Model (or Sportsman type) bodied car all you saw was tailgate when you were behind the much taller bodied Trucks. Whenever an incident happened you just plowed into the back of the Truck because you couldn't see. That "experiment" lasted one year (just like it did at NSS). Besides most Trucks run the GM 603 crate which is not legal in Sportsman. No fun sliding around in the AT fluid that Trucks invariably lay down too.

[OldSchool+]

Wow, you can run a cheese wedge, but not a kleenex box.

I "see" where you are coming from, though.

[Groundpounder]

Nope I can't do anything about it I guess except tell the truth.

There ya go again! LOL

BTW, you drop Pal Joey's name alot...why don't you let HIM speak for himself? or as Big Blue would type...hisself...

[Darren]

Old School
When drivers were able to race 2 and 3 times a week the tracks were smart enough to have the same rules. You could race Friday night and have Saturday to get ready to race that night and we had a track that race Sunday afternoon so there was time to go over the car and get to the track. Yes, back in the day.

[victory10]

I honestly could care less about all of the apparent ego issues between some folks. what I do care about is knowing there will be a race some where for, pro truck, fastcar, or whatever else they wanna call it. In looking back to when I first come down here and bought a sportsman to run the series, the issue and, in my opinion, the demise of the series, was a total lack of rule enforcement, the unwillingness to give out weight penalties for rule violations instead of just not allowing a car run until the issue was fixed which costs even more money that several simply do not have. secondly, the driving was out of control and people literally run one another over, took someone out or just plain wrecked drivers rather than race hard, get all you can out of your car and accepting that its just not your night when you get beat. take the thing home, actually roll it off the trailer before friday night and work to find more speed rather than enforcing your bumpers. there was a complete lack of rule enforcement and the 2 shows I went to, the drivers meeting was more like a bunch of kids arguing over who got the ball first. every single issue in those meetings could have been resolved by doing 2 simple things. come up with a weight penalty that would allow ANY sportsmen car to run the series and secondly, tech weekly, tech after the race and actually tech something other than running the car over the scales. break some motors down (crate and open ones) and if something is found, then enforce the rules that were written as well as park those who cant seem to actually race with one another and instead choose to dump em, rail em or flat drive through someone only to have NOTHING done to them for doing such acts.

SOOOOO, my point to this is sit down, go over the rules for each class and come up with a set of rules that start to get things on the best level as possible with making it clear that adjustments can and will be made in the interest of leveling the playing field as much as possible aside of those who work hard every week in the shop to get better and faster, which none of that should ever be controlled as it is not someones fault if a fellow competitor just does not have enough knowledge or experience yet. obviously some things are simply not going to work between these 2 series because one allows 4 barrels and manual transmissions. NIETHER of these 2 things should be allowed and regardless of how much weight you put on them, the manual trans will always pull so much cleaner and faster than an actual "legal" automatic trans as well as the carb difference will always pull off much cleaner and quicker. These 2 things simply should not be allowed OR they need to be allowed across the board. Problem with that is those type of things is what gets that destruction ball rolling. Next thing ya know, those with 2 barrels and automatic transmissions who cannot afford the change lose interest in coming to a series race and know that they are at a very high disadvantage so they simply park the truck in the back of the shop, cover it up and maybe even put it up for sale because they have simply had enough of all the garbage when it comes to the rules. The tire soaking (if it is going on, which I am pretty confident that it is), is also something that needs to have a very tough and enforced rule and its not hard at all to have a rule nor is it difficult to enforce it.

Bottom line here is whoever is running these 2 series need to sit down with one another and see if something can be done or not. If not then tough luck, sorry it just will not work and go your seperate ways with each focusing on the series they are involved with and/or running. One series will be much more open with the rules and the other will be much more tight with theirs (such is and has been the case in several series types events.....CRA & JEGS SERIES, USA MODIFIEDS & IMCA MODIFIEDS AND ON AND ON AND ON). I have not been around to know all the issues in the past but there were several of these same type of issues in Michigan. Several series were attempted to be run and they did not make it because of either ego issues, rules that were to open thus to costly for several to run or track owners who did not want to work with the series to help it get going.

Maybe I am missing something but, in my honest opinion, the truck, sportsman classes would make for an awesome series and the first few they had a couple years ago, both classes were represented very well. As I said before, the issues was not the car or truck count, the issue was lack of enforcing the rules written as well as refusal to make some changes here and there with weight penalties that would allow any sportsman or truck to run the series. eliminate all the little fee's here and there and make it possible for a race team to go run your show without spending $1,000.00 every event. In the 45 years I have lived and breathed the sport, nobody has ever been into racing with intentions of making money and if so, they did not last very long, HOWEVER, knowing that, even if you win the race, your in the red before you start your truck up to leave the house does not make good business sense and it no longer is fun and enjoyable, it turns into a stressful and frustrating situation. Like i said, I was not down here the last time all of this stuff went on but I can only assume that it could have maybe been resolved then as well if all of those involved swallowed some pride and started working together rather than against one another trying to destroy your counterpart with a series like yours. It is time fellas to really try to do all you can in a positive manner to save racing AS A WHOLE no matter what the class, which track it is run at or how one another allow personal issues to get in the way of trying to keep the short track racing alive.

[Rick B.]

groundpounder your amazing

Sir..... I didn't drop his name I said he knows about it, he talked to a SPATS person, his name was on the series....Those are facts.......You don't have a clue about any of this, you simply like to get on here and stir up stuff like a bunch of others. He doesn't have time to post on here and answer your accusations and false statements anyways.

Isn't there anything constructive you can find to do ? Wow

[Groundpounder]

He doesn't have time to post on here

Yes, was it also his namesake charity race last fall that HE didn't have time for???
Please go back to your recovery...

[Rick B.]

Like I said Groundpounder ...

You should really find something constructive to do…..

You once again show your ignorance and hide behind a keyboard name.

They had a wedding party cruise and the only weekend it would work for all was that weekend. He called and apologized for it, not that I need to explain that to you, but it again shows you have no clue. When I asked him to put his name on the event, I never told him he had to be at them all but he has except for that one and supported it in many ways.

Since what you say is simply bull and to stir stuff there is no need or sense in responding to your ridiculous statements anymore. It is people like you that give this forum and others a bad atmosphere.

Now find something constructive to do please…for all our our sakes.

[OldSchool+]

Rick,

I dunno what the "facts" were/are (or care, really...), but as a wise man recently pointed out to me...why play the game?

[Rick Anges]

Groundpounder

I have known Rick Bristol for a very long time and we haven't always seen eye to eye about some things I do know he is an honorable guy and has always been the first to jump in and try and help when someone is down. You do not know Rick or Joey so you do not know what has been said or done between any of the parties involved. I have read your posts about this and I suggest you stop now. Everybody gets one chance, this is yours.

[Rick B.]

Old School, Rick Anges

Not playing the or a game, but when something is posted that is a lie, I will state the facts and truth. Then when someone like ground pounder stirs, I have made the final statement, but will let someone make false statements about me or my friends, specially when they have no clue.

Rick thanks for your words, I have no reason to lie, but I will defend when someone states wrong information, then takes cheap shots and someone like Joey. Thanks

[Benny The Mule]

I didn't make it past the 2nd paragraph of the Op's rant.

The thing about trucks i saw in the past, 26 would show up to race. Then i got to see 12 cautions for the 1st 17 trucks to crash out so the remaining 9 could race. Are they still that way?

[Rick Anges]

When they came to Desoto the Coulter series always had great fields. They had their share of cautions but some great racing. Most of the field finished the races.

[Bobby Diehl]

It's time to focus!!!!!

Folks let's move on...... It time to put down the differences and move forward. Last night at Show Time was Great door to door RACING. We had 18 trucks on the grounds (Gary LaPlant FASTRUCK's live Display Truck was at the Meet and Greet area between the grand stands. The kids LOVED sitting in it and getting their picture taken). Anyone of 6 or 7 trucks had a shot of Winning. Details will be coming out today. Get ready for the NEXT GENERATION next Challenge. We have surprise for all of you!!!!! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!