NSS World Series

[Mike Bresnahan]

I didn't mean to hijack the thread here. I appreciate all the great things you guys have said about my team and I.

For the record, even though Don and I had our disagreements, I really respect him and think racing needed him. I think the problem for starters was too much of a good thing. Everyone wanted their own series. Fl. Pro, Sunbelt, Desoto, Inverness tried their own thing in 2002, CCMP.... It forced racers to choose sides due to different rules and tires combos at each place or series.

The next thing were the constant rule changes in regards to engines. Flat Tops, Fords, 9:1's, HP Carbs, Roller Cams, Spec engines.... The long term effect of the spec may still end up being good, but short term it has killed budget guys. The engine I put $14,500 in to update with new cylinder heads and a roller cam was completely obsolete 6 months later. Specs had 40 more HP, aluminum heads AND got a 50lb weight break!!! Not to mention the value of any good flat top fell dramatically, down to about 5k on a good day. So your bringing a knife to a gun fight, or your coughing up another $15,000 to race against 12 cars on any given night.... And if I had the $15,000 I probably would have done it at the time, just to compete.

Thats kinda how we (racing) got here, how does it get better? Just my opinion.....

1) Ban all testing. Period. One day shows for everyone equals less expense for the little guy, and more money Johnny Lightning can spend chroming out his toter. Bottom line, it's equal and fair for everyone.

2) I don't care what the motor rules are, just leave them alone. Eventually some good used stuff will trickle down to the "budget guys" and they'll be able to compete again. Everytime you change a rule, you create more seperation between the haves and have not's.

3) I think every track should have a local 25 or 30 lap late model show. Steve Dorer had a great idea a year or two ago about making local cars run a "spec" steel body shock. Everyone has the same $90 shocks on their cars. Same valving for each corner. At anytime the tracks can make racers swap shocks (within reason) or take yours and hand you a brand new one. Cheaper to buy, cheaper to fix, easier to set up and drive for the hobbiest. That will create a little seperation from a local car and a series car. If your a guy that has the shocks, dynos and technology to use them, your perfect for the more "elite" series races when they visit your track. If your just a hell of a driver, on a budget, and not into the traveling scene, stay local and race a lil cheaper.

4) Tire expense is always an issue. I don't care what you start out with, a new one will always be faster than a used one. I just ask tracks start with a harder compound and focus on selling arm bands not tires. After seeing how the treaded tire more than doubled the modified car count at Citrus, I would find away to try the same thing with a 10" late model tire for weekly events. Again, if you got the budget to buy 4-8 fresh ones every night, your perfect for the series.

5) Bodies. I really missed being able to make my own aluminum doors and fenders. They lasted longer, were cheaper, and with a lil imagination you could really make a car look cool and stand out. $95 for a fender now??? really??? who is that helping???

Like I've said along, tracks don't need to pay more. They need make it cheaper.

[Tim]

I think the problem for starters was too much of a good thing. Everyone wanted their own series. Fl. Pro, Sunbelt, Desoto, Inverness tried their own thing in 2002, CCMP.... It forced racers to choose sides due to different rules and tires combos at each place or series.

Your right Mike, the divide and conqure in this business has hurt everyone.

I believe the things we see happening in FL have alot to do with track owners maturing. FAST series is the perfect example. I don't mean any disrespect to the track owners by any means, but 2/3/4 years ago tracks were being purchased by racers that were going to show everyone how it's done. Raise payouts, lower admission......Well, anyone that thought owning a race car was expensive, try owning a race track. It has taken them time to learn that owning a track is a business. You can't just raise purses and expect the racers to show up. You can't just charge $5 at the front gate and expect the fans to show up. But they had to spend their money and see the results to figure out that there was a deeper reason that racers and fans weren't showing up and it's wasn't money.

As a track owner or promoter, there is no such thing as instant gratification in this business. Every decision made makes half the racers happy, pisses the other half off. But if it's what is good for racing as a whole. You stick to it and treat it like watering a seed.

You can change anything you want to, but if you don't sell it to the other tracks,, racers and the fans......you have only isolated yourself by a rule.

I am maturing too. (just don't tell anyone....)

[Tim]

For the record, even though Don and I had our disagreements, I really respect him and think racing needed him.

Mike, I couldn't agree with you more. Most people only got to see the ego and chest bowed out. Don forgot more about racing than most people will ever know. I haven't talked to Don in months, but he will always be a friend regardless what he thinks of me.

I stuck by his side for 4 years. I can tell you, when his phone wasn't ringing with complaints, when he wasn't being challanged in the pits, when he wasn't being berated on the internet, when the people working for him weren't throwing him under the bus because they were looking for instant gratification, his true personality came out. He knew what was best for racing.

I have been with him in the pits when drivers were wearing him out and he was defending his position at the hardest......when we pulled away on the golf cart he would look at me and tell me....you know they're right! I just have to figure out how to nake it everyone else's idea cause they won't buy it if it's my idea....

We all think he was the worst, while his ego got the best of him.....he knew right from wrong and he had a vision for long term racing. He had the heart for racers, and he loved a good SLM race.

Don picked me up and put me on my feet when I had permanent strawberry's on my ass. He gave me a career in racing and gave me a knowledge that has cost others millions in losses to learn. I'm thankful for it and I will always give him credit for it.

[Jane]

Now you just impressed me Tim. Most people don't say good things about Don but you just did. You see, you and I know the same Don who does really, really care and who does REALLY, REALLY love racing. Yes, he can be stubborn and want things his way, but then again, most people do. But thanks Tim for all the good words you said about him, it has been a long time since I have seen someone say something good about Don Nerone.

Actually, besides Mike, I still know alot of racers who say they would still race for him in a minute if he was racing. But it was nice to hear something good for a change.

[Tim]

Jane, thank you for youe comments, what I know is that there are 10-15 SLM drivers that will race with me anywhere in the south as long as they feel they are not handicapped. While they all can't run every race, they will all make at least one. The rules are set now......the excuses of why the rest of the country doesn't race in FL will lie on the backs of others, not the FL racers. We're going to pick some races in the south and the FL Mafia is going out on tour this year.....Will update you as soon as the dates are selected.

[Old Sunshine Fan]

Darn, I thought I was the only one that called Travis - KID COPE...

But you know something.... the kid ain't a kid anymore...(let's not tell him so he can enjoy it longer).

[Tim]

Sorry OSF had to take it down. Miss seeing Mike and Travis at the races though

[Bigbuck]

good question.!!!

the real question is , once ricky is gone , will the weekly tech men be allowed to have the final say like ricky does ?

After all, what are they for anyway?? Been my question for a while.