Steve Beitler was kind enough to open an invitation for us to join the 09 Skagit Speedway schedule. Steve is putting up a $1500 purse (based on 20 cars), and dates would be:
6/27 (week after Dirt Cup- 410's are off) 9/3 (Running with the WoO Western All Star Late Models).
We need to decide on the following:
1- Does the NMSA want both dates? 2- Which class(es) do we want to run? 1200 & 600 combined? 1200 1 night, 600's 1 night? Just 1200's? 3- How do we ensure a car count?
The purpose of this thread is to field a discussion by the membership, and to ensure understanding that a decsion will need to be voted on at the Mar 3 meeting.
My thoughts- This is an outstanding opportunity for the club and Deming Speedway to gain exposure to another audience. I would like to see the club take advantage of this chance but we owe Skagit the courtesy of putting on an outstanding show. To do that, we need a car count. One way to do this would be for the club to make these points races, paying "show up points" for participating. Again, this will be up to the club to decide at the March meeting.
My suggestion is that you make it a flat points event, if you show up you get a specific number of points regardless of where you start or finish. This should encourage participation but take into consideration that these cars really aren't built for a speedway like Skagit.
I would also suggest that this would allow us to combine the 1200's and 600's if necessary but I think ideally a 600 would prefer to run against other 600's. So I guess I am suggesting that We could combine both the 1200's and 600's and keep track of results based on class and split the purse or we could run 1200's one night and 600's the other.
Just my thoughts....
I do want to ad that the reason for us doing this is to try to promote our NMSA, our Mini/Micro's, and to support Skagit. From a spectator point of view I am not real sure that it will do us to many favors unless we have a lot of cars otherwise these small cars on this big track is very boring, at least my friends and I thought so when we watched it last year.
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'America is all about speed. Hot, Nasty, Badass Speed." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Per discussion at the meeting, Steve Beitler said that he would honor the NMSA rule's for these events, and the invitation has been extended for 1200's and 600 open. Per Section 6.0 of the rule book, drivers in the 600 open class must be 14 years of age, or 13 with JR Sprint/600R experience.
On another note, i think these two events would be an excellent opportunity for the club and its members to get additional exposure and experience.
From what I have heard, Skagit is more suited for 1200 than the 600. I just dumped all my money into one motor and if it gernades I will be doing nothing but getting ready for the 2010 season.
I would love the chance to race at a diffrent track in 2009. My experience is limited and i think it would be great to have the chance to get seat time in a different arena. It would also help NMSA and Deming to get more exposure and maybe a few more fans wanting to come see what were all about. I also agree with the flat points to help with the car count, six or seven cars is "ok" but 20 + could really put on a great show. you can count on the 42 to be there
Brandon, As much as Skyler wants to, we are out due to the age rule. But we would be willing represent the club and have our car displayed at the gate for fans to look at prior to the racing action.
Please remember that we will be voting at the club meeting on March 3rd to determine if NMSA will be sanctioning these dates at Skagit provided by Steve Beitler. I encourage you to think about all options and come prepared to the meeting for the discussion and vote.
This would not only provide driver development opportunities and additional exposure for your sponsors, but it may also help to increase the weekly crowd attendance at Deming if we put on a good show at Skagit. I would hate to see the club pass on this opportunity.
How about wingless? I know a few folks we've talked to (from both the micro and skagit communities) have been pretty excited by the thought of seeing the micro's wingless at Skagit. Would take away some of the concerns around steering resistance, surface, etc, as you wouldn't be pushed into the track by the wings and would reduce engine load by eliminating the 'weight' created by downforce. There should be plenty of room to keep from rubbing wheels.
I know the 'crashes are worse' response is out there. But personally, I'd rather barrel roll a dozen times than have the wing gyro me into the track 2 or 3 times. Either way you have energy to dissipate, it's just a matter of how many impacts you use to do it...
We all know the 1200's can run at skagit,,,,at the last meeting the disscussion was brought up for the 600's to run with the 1200's in a main event form, I feel there should be separate mains . As Mr. Beitler suggested 1200's one show ,,,600's the next of the three race venues,,,, if there are not enough cars of both classes to appear.
As for being able to run effectively at the bigger track ,its all about adapting to a new set of challenges ,being a newly formed 600 team and running down in california at a bigger track has set the standard for our team and hopefully we can learn more from our fellow racers.
A big thank You to Skagit Speedway for this great opportunity for the 2009 season
A thumbs up for the vote on March 3rd at the next meeting
