Tuesdays with TMAC – Thoughts on 'The Meeting'!
(Bill W) October 2, 2007 – Bad luck and some mechanical problems followed sprint car driver, Terry McCarl, in his eastern trip with the World of Outlaws last week. This weekend offers an opportunity to bounce back in a venue not too far from home. The WoO will tackle Princeton Speedway's banked ¼ mile just north of Minnesota's Twin Cities.
The event offers TMAC a chance to race in front of the people who make it possible. "It's always nice to be not too far away from home," he relates. "It's not far from our sponsors, it's in Big Game (Treestands) and Bosma Poultry's backyard so it's good when they get to see us compete."
The bullring has offered up some exciting action in the past. The WoO made its debut at the facility in 2005, and TMAC has finished in the top ten three out of the four races run there. "There's always a great crowd, and it's a quarter mile, so it's definitely exciting for a sprint car fan to watch," he says. "Sprint car racing on a bullring can be electric!"
The promoter in TMAC can't resist the opportunity for sales either. "It will give the folks in the upper Midwest one last chance to see the World of Outlaws. We're working on the Terry McCarl nit hats to offer people in keeping their heads warm if it's cold!"
OrangeCounty Chopped
Early on at the Orange County Fair Speedway on Wednesday in Middletown, New York, TMAC didn't know what to think of the 5/8 mile track. "It was really greasy in hot laps, and we didn't get a good feel for the track," he says. "I was there in 1992, but couldn't remember it much. We went out to qualify, and we did a great job in getting second quick."
After running fourth in the heat race, TMAC readied for the dash. "It was a great track and our car was good. We went into the dash and (Jac) Haudenschild and I think (Chad) Kemenah got down in the grease on the inside of the track. We had a great run behind Daryn Pittman who started right in front of us. When I entered turn one, I was outside of Kemenah and I had a head of steam going on. We were going to drive by him for fourth, so it was going to be a good start. Unfortunately, Haud got loose in turn two and drove right into me. He hit the left front wheel pretty hard and we got into the fence a bit, but kept going."
After limping to ninth in the dash, TMAC brought the car back for the crew to take a look at. "It bent the left front wheel, so we changed that and checked everything out," he says. "We went out for the feature, and I hit the brakes to wait for a push truck, when something felt funny in the left front. At that point, there wasn't a whole lot we could do, so we started the race. When we started, the left front wasn't right…we actually broke a wheel bearing in that contact in the dash; I've never had that happen before. We use really good bearings, and when we spun them in the pits they seemed fine without a load on them. Anyway, we dropped back to about 17th before the caution came out before the bearings just totally came apart and locked up." The DNF was a disappointment as the car was fast.
Grove Open
The trip to Williams Grove Speedway was overall an exercise in futility. The last trip to the track had given some hope, after two hard charging performances. "We had qualified bad there earlier this year, but came back with a hard-charger at the end of the night," says TMAC. "This time out, we were just way off on the car. We were never comfortable." That was common for the WoO and the local cars alike. Local favorite and multi-time track champion, Fred Rahmer, even ended up in the D main.
Friday's race ended in the C main. "We had a bit of a test motor for Don Ott on Friday night," relates TMAC. "The motor was running fine, but the car wasn't rolling the corner very good. We just never got a handle on the car, and that happens sometimes at Williams Grove."
After registering the 43rd quick time of the night on Saturday, TMAC would be using his last provisional to start the $50,000 to win event. "In the C main on Saturday night, we made some wholesale changes and it felt a lot better," he says. "We started 27th (in the feature) and moved up quite a bit. Obviously, there were some crashes in there too. I felt more comfortable than I had felt the whole weekend. We got up to 13th, trying to battle by Jason Meyers, and my rear end broke. That's kind of the way the year has went for me." The official finish after another DNF was 18th.
The Meeting
The 2008 WoO season was the focus, as officials from DIRT, Inc. met with its World of Outlaws sprint car drivers in Pennsylvania last weekend. The highlights centered on driver t-shirt trailers, outlawing 'cockpit adjustable' devices and a rescinding of the wing rule previously announced by the organization.
The news of the t-shirt trailers hit all drivers hard, including TMAC. "The fans need to know that the WoO is looking to get rid of our t-shirt trailers," he laments. "I think the fans and the promoters love the t-shirt trailers. They can come and talk to Dana Kinser, Shannon Saldana, Donny's mother and all the other family members. What other venue can you go to where you can do that? Can you imagine going down and buying a t-shirt from Jeff Gordon's wife?"
The apparel sales have become essential in keeping teams on the road with the WoO. "On every level, we all appreciate the money we can make on those trailers," says TMAC. "Whether it be $100,000 or $100 a night, that's what keeps us going down the road some nights. I know there are times over the years, where Terry McCarl needed that to put gas in the tank. Steve Kinser has worked hard to be Steve Kinser, and Donny Schatz's mother Diane, is the hardest working person in show business, I guarantee you! The Schatz trailer has many different items in all price ranges. There are fans who can't afford a shirt, but they can find something else for a souvenir in a lot of our trailers. I can only imagine what the 15 and 11 teams are thinking about this after spending so much time building that image and product."
DIRT's reason for this centers around the fact that they feel promoters are against it. TMAC doesn't buy that reasoning for one second. "As a promoter, I think about things differently than most, and I welcome any t-shirt trailer that can tow in, because it adds to my event. I urge fans to let Dirt Motorsports know what they think of getting rid of the driver's t-shirt trailers. I haven't run across any promoters against the practice, and I talk to most of them."
The feelings amongst the drivers center on DIRT wanting a piece of their pie. "The WoO wants us to put our stuff in their trailer, so they can get a percentage," says TMAC. "They wanted us to settle on 15 dates for 2008 to bring our t-shirt trailers…and you can see what they're aiming for in the future. The year after next, it will be zero. We're going to lose a lot of product cramming into one trailer. You're also going to lose a lot of personalities with that. Our shows have become an event, and an important part of that event is all the t-shirt trailers. Some nights we'll have a race that's not all that great, but the event is always there. The trailers, the big haulers…it's like the circus coming to town in a way. There were 1000 people walking around our trailers in the rain in Canada after a rainout. I couldn't believe it! They want to take away a big chunk of the whole deal…and they just don't get the big picture! I wish they'd try to make money on their product instead of off of their product, which is us. It will definitely hurt them in the long run. It's not right what they're trying to do, and they need to pay attention to their own business, not ours. I think authorities from DIRT will listen to the fans perspective, so the fans should contact them about how they feel about the t-shirt trailers."
TMAC also feels rules surrounding the cockpit are not necessary. "Somehow they think eliminating cockpit adjustable devices are the way to go," he says. "There are no cost savings with this rule, whatsoever. I haven't spent $1,000 in my lifetime on these devices, and they aren't a part that breaks like tires and engines. It doesn't even make it in the top ten expenses for a sprint car owner. I've had the same cockpit equipment for three years. They may be trying to copy (ASCS President) Emmett Hahn as best they can, I don't know. I just don't see the need for it. Donny Schatz is the fastest guy in the world right now, and doesn't use them. Steve Kinser doesn't have anything adjustable either. Unfortunately, they sit there and feel they need to make rules just to make them. If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
The wing rule announced at the Knoxville Nationals for 2008 was put off as well. "Obviously, the new wing rule was shot down because it didn't make sense for anyone…racers, manufacturers or promoters," says TMAC. "No one that I knew of agreed with it. The promoters were brought in to look at some things for the future, but none thought they (DIRT) would make a rash decision on it. Consequently, the promoters around the country in Pennsylvania, at Knoxville, and everywhere else said, 'We can't do this.' To throw that rule out there without all these people on board shows how ridiculous it really was."
TMAC feels the World of Outlaws is putting out a better show than it ever has. "This series is not broke. Our product is awesome. The field is strong…we still have over 20 cars at this stage of the season and our crowds have been awesome. Do their (DIRT) late models have that situation? Maybe they should worry about other things like sponsors and a sensible schedule where we aren't zipping across the country four times in the last couple months. I realize we had to do that a little bit with the split last year…to get to some different tracks, but the split is over! I appreciate them talking to promoters and having meetings, but as racers, we have a lot vested in this too! When are they going to have an owners/drivers meeting? We're all waiting. I don't mind rules, I just don't like rules that don't make sense and cost us a lot of money."
Wins for Austin and Carson!
The McCarl boys were racing the Micro-Sprints on different days at English Creek Speedway south of Knoxville last weekend. Carson set fast time and won the feature on Saturday, while Austin set quick time, won his heat and the feature on Sunday's last point race. Austin was crowned the Micro-Sprint track champion in his first year of racing! Carson ended up fourth in points.
In"Terry"gation
Russell in Carthage, MO asks: How are the refunds for the Ultimate Challenge coming along?
TMAC Answers: The fans need to understand it's a long process. Including a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope makes it a lot easier for us. We made a bit of a mistake in assuming people would know that at first. At least include a return address! The biggest check Lori has written was for eight tickets. Most are for one or two tickets, so with thousands of people there, you can imagine how long a process this is. People need to be patient. She does this alone. Imagine the time it takes to put a stamp on the envelope, return address, mailing address, write a check, balance the checkbook, etc. for each and every ticket. That's after you verify that the tickets are there. Some are sending photocopies of the ticket…that's not the ticket. Do you really think we're going to send you the money based on a photocopy? Some are sending the stub…that's not the raincheck. One guy from Minnesota…and you know who you are…sent a sticky note that said, 'Please send me my money. Thank you.'. There were no tickets. He didn't say how many tickets he had, but at least he did have a SASE! A bunch of people have been sending Monday tickets. Guess what? We raced on Monday!
Got a question for TMAC? Send it to us at [email protected], and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for TMAC" in your subject line.
Did you know?
TMAC set quick time the last time the WoO visited Princeton Speedway (July 29, 2006). He has finished in the top ten in three of his four visits there. He has also qualified in the top five three times.
Website
We will be adding Williams Grove photos from Jason McConnell later in the week.
Keep up to date with McCarl Motorsports at www.TerryMcCarl.com. We keep it fresh for TMAC fans!
Ultimate Challenge Tickets (Refund/Exchange)
Unfortunately, severe weather cancelled the 6th Annual Ultimate Challenge.
A refund or ticket exchange (for your same seats) for 2008 can be requested at:
McTwo Promotions Box 185 Altoona, IA 50009
(Please include your raincheck and a SASE with your request)
"Tuesdays with TMAC"
To receive "Tuesdays with TMAC", send an e-mail to [email protected] with "TMAC" in the subject line.
TMAC Motorsports would like to thank sponsors Big Game Treestands, Bosma Poultry, Inc., AmeriCash Advance, and Ground Max Hunting Blinds.
Austin McCarl is the 2007 Micro-Sprint track champ at English Creek Speedway (Ryan Northcote)
Bill Wright Bill W Media Monroe, IAUSA [email protected]
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