Get ready for the next "THe Late Model Catipal of the SOUTH" race at CCMP 4-25-09!!!!

[bubba]

Much as I might agree with the sentiment of your post Frasson, I think the notion of trying to work something out to get the cars and fans in a single place is commendable. Would I rather see a single set of rules adopted by all tracks/series - heck yea. Gonna happen in my lifetime? Heck no.

In the meantime, I will hit the weekly shows less and go to the big events to get my fix. Unfortunate, but true - other than VSP - the weekly shows are not that fun anymore.

Looking at that other post with the links to the ridiculously stuffed photo vault (BTW kudos to the guy who made that - it killed a ton of my time) drove home the point that we are not in Kansas anymore and the days of guys like Hanley, Senneker, Howe, Malcuitt etc barnstorming the country (with a car that seemed to meet all the rules) and packing fields is long gone - save for a few special events.

[Frasson118]

It's not that far gone though... it COULD be saved. In the Asphalt SLM division, you can take a single car to Maine/VT/NH and run with the PASS series, or IN/OH/MI area with the CRA or NC/SC/AL and run with PASS South. But for some reason, all logic stops at the Florida border.

Barnstorming is not a dead issue. Guys like Scott Hantz and Ben Rowe still travel all over the Eastern half of this country, tackling the locals at their own speedway. But do those guys ever wind up coming to anything around here?

The Southern Slam at South Georgia last November had NINE different states represented in the top 9 cars. New Smyrna, the night before, had 1 car (Dennis Schoenfeld) from NC. All other cars were locals. Why??? Our rules (all 7 packages of them) are still not compatible to the rest of the country. Even an ASA car may not be legal if you're in the "other" ASA division.

Yet, 3 hours from home, a full field of cars from all over the country.

Sprint cars (both dirt and asphalt), Dirt LM's, IMCA/UMP Mods, DIRT Mods, Legends, Midgets... they have the same rules all over the country. And you see guys RACING all over the country. With common rules packages, you know what you're going to face when you pull into any of a hundred different tracks. Here, you'll be lucky to pass the Tech Shed at any 2 tracks on consecutive days.

Even the Sprints down here... how many different groups (and seperate rule books) are there in Florida? 4... 5... 6...?

WHY?

Although it's true that things will never be the way they once were, unless somebody comes along and organizes ALL the tracks, and ALL the rules, we'll still be an island out there, fumbling along with our 7-types of car and 15 car fields.

Sure, I know I'm dreaming... but so was Glen Donnelly when he first organized the DIRT circuit. Now, basically every track in 4 or 5 states has the same rules at all tracks, and has for over 30 years now. He made it so good, there are literally DOZENS of racers up there who have never worked a job in their lives, other than "Professional Race Driver".

Some people will get pissed off that they have to change their cars around (engines especially), but in the long run, it will be the only way to put on entertainment. Isn't that what were supposed to be getting for our dollars in the first place?

[bubba]

I was impressed with the amount of travel Ben Rowe does, one of very few that truly travel as much any more. Throw Johnny Clark in there too. Compared to the number of guys that used to do that sort of thing - it aint even close.

Look at the GAS and CRA combo event recently - 12 cars for CRA and 13 for GAS. PASS at Dillon had 19 cars, so while they are drawing cars, they arent that impressive compared what we are getting. I think asphalt is down right now across the board.

Commonality among FL teams and the rest of the world would be a wonderful thing. One that would garner more of my disposable income if it happens. In the meantime - I was actually considering going to 5Flags this weekend - how sad is that - willing to drive 8-9 hrs each way in lieu of going here.

[mr south 59]

Like Frasson, I am not a fan of combinding class either. But I will do what ever it takes and will support what ever it takes to keep the car count up and keep the tracks alive.

Nothing against Frasson but,,,,,

I just spent a few minutes going thru the results on the 5 Flags site and I think Frasson's numbers are a little bit off. Throw out the Snowball and Snowflake and in the Pro Late model class the fields were from 9 to 16 cars at best and in the Super Late Model class were from 11 to 30 cars on there best day. With two other states just within minutes of the track and many other states within 3 or 4 hours from the track and I don't think the numbers are not all that impressive for the tracks location. Compare them to Concord.

[helper]

East coast make up..

Hi all,

I have been going to CCMP for a number of the late model and super late model races. I don't know if I am crazy on the combined fields, but when the track was only getting 10 and 12 cars it made for some long no action races. I do admire the track as they did pay the full purse despite the small field. Which was nice as a number of the cars where from the East coast where this is the closest paved track to race at now. Now, if they only paid tow money for those who come from a longer distance, maybe more would pull over.

I myself enjoy seeing a 20 plus car field race. It makes for more excitement, and gives Joe Winchell more people to pass (man he has been fast lately). I feel the track is doing what it can to get the best fields possible, but there are draw backs. A lot of big super drivers don't want to race with the late models. I say let them have a super race and let the lates run with them, with a bigger 4 barrel on the car or less weight or something along those lines to make it fair. Then you can get Biggley and Anderson to maybe come back and have a 20 plus car super late model race.

Just my thoughts on this...

[Bobby Diehl]

Thanks helper for your support.

We have come up with the rule package that we developed having many talks with the Teams. We feel that the SHOW is the reason that each track's rules package may need to be a little different (level field makes more car count). The FANS are driven by the SHOW we give them. So to me the answer is to do whatever it takes to have the FANS get the best racing that we can give them at each track. Enough about that. Now for the new calls for slabs. Steve Dorer said he wanted the p04 slab. And that he will call by Wed. 4-22-09 if something major comes up and forcing him to not make it. He doesn't want to have someone not have a slab if he can't make it. I ask each one of them when I call. So add Steve Dorer to the HUNT at "The Late Model Capital of the SOUTH" CCMP. 4-25-09. We expect a FULL field of Late Models.
Thanks for your support and let's go RACING!!!
Bobby Diehl

[Bobby Diehl]

Up date on drivers (that we have talked to) who say they are coming!!!!


Joe Boyd
Ross Chastain
Perry Lovelady
Johnny Kay
Gary Padual
Bobby Shelton
Brandon Johnson
Joe Winchell
Tuffy Hesser
Anthony Campi
Travis Hanson
Steve Dorer
And counting (not bad the two weeks before the race)!!!!!
Add:
Michael Cenzi
Berry Barlett
and
Matt COHEN
15 NOT BAD FOR THE TIME.

[Frasson118]

In response to Mr. South... you are completely correct. I was only refering to the Snowball & Snowflake races, yet I guess I never actually said that. My apologies for the confusion!

My basic point though, was that a single track (doesn't even matter where it is) that can pull 140 cars in just 2 classes, shows me that something is working with the rules package they use.

Here in Florida, there are just plain tooooo many choices available to racers, which creates very small fields for ALL of them. If there were only 4 or 5 weekly classes, with the same rules at ALL of them, we would see much larger fields in each one of those classes, and at each one of the tracks.

Racers are gonna be racers, but don't give them 14 different choices of what to build. Pick one of the 5 classes available, and start building/buying the stuff you need. If everyone is on the same page, used parts wouldn't be a problem either. Where is anybody selling used stuff now? There's no market, if nobody is running the same rules as you and 5 or 6 others.

My guess is that there are close to 70 (maybe more) cars in the area that are ASA or Crate-type cars, yet only a handfull of those cars are on exactly the same page as each other. If there was ONE rulebook for all of them, seeing a 40-50 car field at some big year-ending event wouldn't be so far fetched. As it is, 15-20 is considered a home-run.

[Bobby Diehl]

Three more Late Models called for slabs for the 4-25-09 GREATEST SHOW on EARTH! CCMP!

Today!!!! Matt Cohen, Michael Cenzi, and Barry Barlett all have called for slabs. So keep the lights on. There all coming home Martha!!!! See you at "The Late Model Capital of the SOUTH"!!!!!! That's CCMP of coarse....
Thanks from the bottom of my heart!!!!
Bobby "THE BIG TOP" Diehl

[mr south 59]

Frasson,

I just ckecked the results for the last year and that is what I saw. The distance to travel has a lot to do with how many cars show up. I'll bet that if the Snowball was held at Concord or Hickory they would have twice as many cars as they have now. The reason I didn't race the Snowflake is because it's 11 hours for me to get to the Snowflake and I live in Florida. But, I guess that is how I got named Mr. South.

Do you think if the Snowball was at CCMP they would have the same car count? I don't think so.

I do agree with what you are saying about to many choices. I never thought about it that way.

[Bobby Diehl]

Add one more "BAD BOYS" to the RACE!!!!

The list is getting longer and the talent is some of the best Florida has. Richie Anderson is always in the hunt. This will be "The Models Capital of the SOUTH" Best race yet. Call early for your slabs. We are filling put fast. Here is the rest of the SHOW:

Camper World Night

Late Models 100 Laps,
Fast Trucks 50,
Fast Kids 35 Laps,
Road Warriors,
Thunder Trucks,
Pro 4.
Fab 4,
Legends.
TQ Midgets
The best "Bang for your Buck" South of I-4!!!! The GREATER SHOW on EARTH".
Thanks for the support.
Bobby Diehl