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Posting on behalf of Steve Sinclair:
IRA Banquet Nov. 15th
The 49th annual IRA Awards Banquet to honor Champion Billy Balog and 18
of his fellow IRA racer's is scheduled for Saturday night, November 15th at
Turner Hall in Watertown, WI. The cut-off date for tickets is Nov. 1. Tickets
are $25 each. Order forms can be pulled off either www.irasprints.com or www.irasprints.org Turner Hall has done an
outstanding job for us the past 2 year's and I'm sure this Nov, 15th will
be equally as good. Additionally we hope our team's encourage other's to attend.
We really have something special here, and what we do for our team's is
unprecedented in this area, and nearly anywhere in the sprint car world. . Our point fund, per point is at the highest value that I
remember. Despite weather playing a negative role in 08, our point fund
value per point is up. Though we gave points at 26 events, only 22 of those were
completed due to weather cutting us short on 4. Despite just getting in 22 full
shows, our banquet eligible team's will prosper. In addition to our large cash
payout of $60,000 on banquet night, $10,000 of which is slated for our
Championship Team. Our product portion is as strong as ever and its' value is IN
ADDITION TO THE CASH PAYOUT, complete with 2 chassis that will actually be at
the banquet, and ready to go home with 2 lucky team's that very night. Cylinder
Head's, Helmet's, a Steering Gear, Wheel's, Wing set's, etc are also part of our
prize closet which all 19 eligible team's will share. All 19 prize
package's which our team's will have to chose from are outstanding.
I think what many outside the IRA need to know is as in addition to the
money and goodies we give at our banquet is our unique tire rebate program
which gave $8000 back to our team's with monthly check's throughout the season.
Your September rebate check's will be issued as a separate check and will appear
in the banquet envelope's. Also, our "tow package" which this year averaged $90
(per team - per event) with a total of just over $41,000 being paid out. In some
case's, IRA enhanced what the promoter's provided to get that tow amount up on
certain trips. Ofcourse it doesn't usually cover all our loyal team's expense,
however we are unique in the fact we provide it at all, and to all our 75% plus
team's, not just the top 5 or top 10.
Very importantly too is that our 100% team's will again be receiving a
cash bonus, again in the form of a separate check in your banquet envelope.
Lastly, I want it made very clear that the tire rebate & tow money
distributed, plus Dean Osborn's generous $200 per night fast time award, is ALL
IN ADDITION to the actual season end point fund dollar total. If there was ever
any question as to what benefits there are for IRA 75% plus team's, hopefully
that answers that question. Over $110,000 in CASH money above purse's was
provided to IRA team's in exchange for their support in 2008.
I want to thank all the team's that supported us, your efforts are
greatly appreciated. I'm truly proud of what we have here. I hope all our team's
realize what they have here too, as I believe it is taken for granted at times
by some. We really do have something special and are without a doubt the premier
auto racing series in the upper-Midwest, period.
We had an IRA membership meeting on October 15th. The membership again
showed confidence with what has now become a multi-term board, as no
new nomination's were made, thus the current board will remain intact for the
2009, our 50th Anniversary, season.
Rule wise, nothing new came up and IRA will continue to allow dish wings in
09, however the elimination of non-90 degree side panels will occur. We had a
good discussion on multiple topics and the meeting was extremely positive in
nature. We have several 09 dates all ready penciled in including events at
Charter, Dodge, Plymouth, Oshkosh, and Cedar Lake, etc... focusing on local and
traditional events first. We've received calls on new events too, a few are very
interesting and have tremendous potential. Also the bulk of our series sponsor's
are onboard for 09, some even thru 2010. I really want to make our 50th a big
deal. Also very importantly is the knowledge that our safety team will be back
again next year too. We have many great opportunities ahead of us.
Please get those banquet tickets ordered, and I also want to extend
invitation's to team's that are not currently part of our IRA family to attend,
or show up after dinner to see what we're all about and celebrate in a night
that acknowledges the best sprint car racer's in the upper-Midwest. Our banquet
is open to the public and dinner tickets MUST BE purchased in advance. As a
reminder, please dress appropriately and that attending is mandatory to receive
your awards. Also don't forget our Toy's For Tot's Christmas Drive banquet night
too.
Hope everyone is catching up on things at home. I know I'd rather be
racing than painting and pulling weeds.......Following the banquet, our next
membership meeting isn't scheduled until January. Stay tuned for updates and
news regarding our big 50th Anniversary Season. Feel free to contact me at home
by calling 815-759-9269 or e-mailing me at [email protected] Thank You,
Steve Sinclair / IRA Pres.
Stan Meissner
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