Tour type Modifieds

[georgep]

I see all the posts about OWM and wonder WHY the tour type cars have not caught on down south.
You can go with a small block, carb and the tour rules for tires, wheels and construction. YOu could also grandfather in the current OWM car just let them go with the tires, rims and brakes and a small block motor.
The tour cars still put on the best race at NSS every speedweeks and could become a headliner again.
Sorry but I like the regular modifieds since the OWM which was designed to be policed by IMCA has gotten destorted over the years.

[Boneman]

George has a point...sort of. I agree that the northern modifieds are the coolest show during the World Series, and yes, it would be great to see them on a weekly basis. However, I don't think that now is the time to introduce another high dollar class to the state. We already have a thousand lower cost cars collecting dust.

Now, if we are talking about the ISMA or Oswego type super modifieds....that is a different story!

[AJ14]

George , you're right about the tour modifieds putting on a great show . i've always been curious about why they don't run that type of car in Florida . I think the IMCA craze came along and everybody got sidetracked . Like anything else , its going to take a track owner whos willing to gamble on a tour type or SK type modified class . Write the rules to bring in as many FL. modifieds as possible , and be patient while the class builds .
I've also been surprised that USAC type midgets haven't started running in Florida . I would think those cars could draw a crowd . They certainly were popular at OSW during the PRI show . There used to be a series for those cars in Florida , but i haven't heard anything about them for a long time .
People have always said Florida just isn't open wheel country , but between the TBARA and the PRI midget show , people sure seem to enjoy them .
Might be another thing for Bronson to look at . A monthly midget show to go along with a sprint car show .

[JackTripper]

I think one reason they haven't caught on in the south is because the builders are in the northeast.

I was kind of miffed that the Ford Focus Midgets never took off in our state. I thought that was an excellent class of cars.

[HaudFan]

Just checked the Spike Chassis website for some pricing. A Spike asphalt midget roller is $18,500 without engine. A Spike asphalt Ford Focus roller, minus engine is $18,300. Ouch... I too had hoped they would take off here in Florida after the PRI shows. 18 or 20 midgets at most tracks in Florida would be a heck of a show... The Florida TQs have been contained to CCMP for the most part with an occasional stop at Citrus. They just don't have enough cars show up regularly.

[Jimmy McKinley]

You guys know there is a NA$CAR Whelen Modified Southern Tour, right? They mostly run in the Carolinas and Virginia, but it would be cool to maybe see a couple of their shows at like Citrus, Bronson, Pensacola, Orlando, New Smyrna, DeSoto...would be even cooler if there were some Florida drivers on that Southern tour...

NA$CAR runs a North/South ShootOut style race at Concord every year for those Tour-type Modifieds.

[ronabneysr]

how would you like to see open wheel modifieds

on 10 inch slicks with bigger rotors - calipers with big brakes were you could stop them running faster than late models or maybee faster than super late models you would not have to do much to some of the open wheels we have now you all ready got late models why can't we have fast mods

[Bossmanfan]

They could never run at Desoto, the turn 3 bump is way too violent and they sit way too low.

[georgep]

Folks when I was THINKING about buying a track I spoke to USAC. They would LOVE to race in Florida over the winter months but their owner base is in the Midwest. Yes they have th $$$ to come down BUT they need some LOCAL cars and talent to sell the show.
As far as the modifieds the answer is simple take what is in existence and let them run the wide fives and get the discount tires from Hoosier and others and just either
1. Restrictor plate OR
2. Put a ROCK on the Right rear. (must get 5 races out of a marked RR)
If I lived in Florida full time I would spend the time and money to build a REAL modified touring series for JUST pavement on SHORT tracks, no Half miles, sorry that is where the $$$ wins not the driver.
Take the existing cars and JUST add the Big tires and brakes along with a REAL tire rule or a Restrictor plate that they pick up at each event form a bin so they have no clue as to what one they get.
The EASY way is to work up to the SK type and if things get better it is a short hop to tour car.
If the current state of things for small business keeps up I will be forced to move back to Florida just to survive.

[Bobby Diehl]

georgep and the rest of you guys may be in luck.

Rout from JJ Yeley's Team who was down for the Checkered Flag Sprint Car Series race at CCMP last month is putting together a USAC Sprint and Midget Show in Feb. during our “SOUTHERN Style SPEEDWEEK’s”at CCMP!!!!! Also the Northern Tour Modifies are being considered. Johnny Kay will have his car SK Modified ready and set on KILL!!!! CCMP is his HOME TRACK!!!! WOW!!!! Get ready even the dough ting Thomas's will believe it when we say
THE GREATEST SHOW on EARTH. Rout is looking to getting Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, and JJ as the name drivers is the Sprints and Midgets. With $50,000.00 purse!!!!!! If anyone interested in getting involved in
THE GREATEST SHOW on EARTHcall me 813-817-7223.
We will keep you informed. It still in the early planning stages, but it sure would be cool if we could pull it off.

Bobby “ THE BIG TOP” DIEHL

[AJ14]

Jimmy i do know about the southern version of the tour modifieds . Are those cars required to run only Nascar sanctioned tracks ? If someone can't figure out a way to start a Florida series with tour or SK type rules , a twice a year 2 day show of the Southern Nascar tour series at Citrus and Bronson or Desoto and Bronson or Orlando and Citrus would have to be a good show . But i'm hoping someone starts a Florida series .

[modracer22]

There was talk of switching us to 10 inch tires but it was shot down. I don't know if a sk type would be the way to go. If your were starting a new class it might work but if you hope to draw from the current modified field to support it then your looking at alot of guys spending more money for motors. I still believe that the treaded tire is the best thing for the modifieds and has done the most to even up the field.

[racin movie man]

My 2 cents of some of this.....

I found this thread interesting and had to throw my 2 pennies in (even though it ain't worth much now a days). First, thanks George P for throwing out the bone ( sorry i didn't get to meet you at the Reunion show this year).

I have grown up around the mods most of my early years up north. They have always been my passion. Open wheel ground pounders!! I remember going to Citrus a few years back when the local tour was coming through (sorry forgot the namesakes). Out of a field of, i believe 26 starters, i saw one mod that was off-set unlike the rest. This reminded me of the "Tour" mods. I will take a long stab but, i can only assume that when IMCA type racing was introduced into the southeast, the current modified is what has developed over the years. Yes, there fast, fun and i enjoy watching them. I will continue to support this class with my paid admission. For a former yank, it just doesn't seem the same though. I guess that's why alot of us on here travel to NSS to see the Tour mods run once a year. What does that say?

I understand the $$ issue involved, etc. But AJ and Bone have good points. Why doesn't someone step up a bit? Bobby, you are on the right track (i am still kicking myself in the butt for not riding in the pace truck with you when you offered at Citrus one night). Jimmy Mck. is correct too with the southern series. Although they are a slight deviation from the NE mods, they still put on a show and have huge following and stars.

I ask this, with everything revolving around speedweeks in february, why don't other tracks get a jump on the hords of fans coming from all over the countryand put together some type of tour package for both the fans and the drivers. Dirt or asphalt, i believe it could happen. If i knew that a tour was going to spend 1 week prior to speedweeks going track to track and eventually ending up in the daytona area in time for NSS's 10 nights, i would make arrangements to be at a minimum of 4 out of 7.

Ocala, my hats off to you all for the sprint/mod show i attended this past February. Best $$ i spent at the races this year. I had not been to your track in years, but i plan on coming back. The best part for me, besides Kenny W's presence and his "hanging it out there attitude",was the inversion they did for the sprints. Whomever decided to select 6 lucky kids to come down and draw pills for the top 6 qualifiers was ingenious. Fan participation goes a long way and that proved it. Those kids where in aww of their heroes. I saw license plates from all over the USA.

Just to beat that dead horse a little more, someone had recently posted a link on to Youtube for something (Trenton i believe). I decided to put in a search for Islip Speedway, my old grounds. I found 3 videos that had been posted from the 70's. In one of the longer videos, i realized that it was a practice session for the annual Islip 300 All star race. Towards the tail end you see the drivers (all, not just the top 5 or 10) drawing starting positions out of the hat. If you find this (sorry, i am not saavy enough to create a link yet) you will see Richie, Cook, Bugs and a few other standing there in their glory days. I would like to see this happen sometime just for the heck of it. Qualify, Draw, Race.

Open wheel racing still has a niche here in Fl. I think it is just too stretched for drivers, owners, sponsors, etc. I love short track racing with a passion and will support my locals as much as possible by attending. I enjoy the TBARA, touring sprints/mods and a good LM race as much as anyone but i am also somewhat bias to the lower classes that fill a regular saturday night show. Maybe i am spoiled now with more classes to watch. Growing up we had 2 (Mods and figure eights). Eventually mini stocks were introduced but the 2 biggies are formentioned. Watching 5-6 heat races in each class and 1 or to Consi's in each class to fill the feature was the norm. They raced each other, not a clock. Watching F-8's run 5 or so heats on the oval and then only run the feature in the 8 was cool. If i am not stepping over a line too much, i believe racers want to race. Not sit in the pits all night waiting for there class to run or in some cases not run due to weather or time. Fans are the same. They want entertainment and racing for their valued dollar. Good price, good eats, good show= return.

PT Barnum didn't just show up one day with a tent and animals and say" here's the greatest show on earth" and we all fell for it. He was a master at marketing, promoting and putting on a show for ALL ages. He was a genius of creating such a myrage to people, he made money also. I don't care who you are, or what age. If the Ringling Bros circus is in town, you will go. His legend will live on and his name will always be synominous with entertainment and the circus. Another one for that book, Larry Mendehlson.

PS: Boneman (Rex), i have that article for you and if you see a Super Mod arrive over the state line. Let me know, i'll buy ya a beer and sit with ya to watch. I haven't seen one in these parts since the mid to late 80's.

[eagletai]

It's only a matter of time before all those chevelle/nova frames are gone. Once that happens I think you will see a those type chassis's in Florida. I know that I would be interested in racing a SPAFCO/RaceWorks/Troyer/CD.

[Racefan99]

Rout from JJ Yeley's Team who was down for the Checkered Flag Sprint Car Series race at CCMP last month is putting together a USAC Sprint and Midget Show in Feb. during our “SOUTHERN Style SPEEDWEEK’s”at CCMP!!!!! Also the Northern Tour Modifies are being considered. Johnny Kay will have his car SK Modified ready and set on KILL!!!! CCMP is his HOME TRACK!!!! WOW!!!! Get ready even the dough ting Thomas's will believe it when we say
THE GREATEST SHOW on EARTH. Rout is looking to getting Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, and JJ as the name drivers is the Sprints and Midgets. With $50,000.00 purse!!!!!! If anyone interested in getting involved in
THE GREATEST SHOW on EARTHcall me 813-817-7223.
We will keep you informed. It still in the early planning stages, but it sure would be cool if we could pull it off.

Bobby “ THE BIG TOP” DIEHL

Does anyone know if this event is still being considered? I would love to see it happen.