Forum: Minnesota Dirt Track Racing Forum (go)
Moderators: StanM

That show is hard enough the way it is now adding those guys the compition level just went up a bunch more. To bad for some of the local teams that have a open headed motor.

Being a fan, I feel the exact opposite. There are a lot of good racers at Jackson, and I think it is great to see them competing on more of a National stage. Shane Stewert has run a couple of shows at Jackson but didn't win. I think you have to give the local guys more credit.

While I agree with you in regards to the heads, the reality is that there really is no good reason to have an open headed 360 in the midwest. Fine if you are in California, but everything is ASCS head rules. Much easier just to get with the program because it allows a lot more options to race.

Kudos to Jon and crew for getting this together. Now I just have to figure out a way to get home for the race.

No good reason??? I can think of about 3000 reasons. I have a prefectly good set of Brodix 11x's. It would cost at least $3000 to replace them.

Not many ASCS races in Minnesota or Wisconsin to make them spec heads worthwhile.

I will head down there on Friday night August 19, so if the weather cooperates I should get to see a full racing program and the 2nd Annual Loren Woodke Memorial feature.

I hope the weather will be decent for the April 29 Spring Sprint Car Special as well, so we can kick off that weekend at Jackson and then on to CLS on Saturday night.

I think the National series is a "win" for the fans, but I agree with the 18, it doesn't make sense for some of the drivers.

Jackson's 360 rules allow "open" cylinder heads; the American Sprint Car Series does not. That means that some of the teams, who support the Jackson Speedway on a regular basis, may not be able to compete at the Nationals. Their engines, that are legal for all regular season shows, won't be allowed at the Nationals. What a kick in the gut!

One of the things that Jackson has done well, is they have tried to figure out how to accomodate as many race teams as possible. By implementing flexible engine and tire rules, etc., the Jackson Speedway has created an environment where teams from the Dakotas, the "Twin Cities", the ASCS, etc., can compete. I like the flexibility!

Unfortunately, the ASCS invite will eliminate the flexibility and may prevent some teams from coming to the Nationals. I'm confused...

With that said, I wanted to say a few words about the ASCS. Five years ago I was totally convinced that the ASCS rules should represent all 360's. I wanted tracks like Jackson, to adopt the ASCS rule package and phase out the open heads. Now I'm not so sure.

I still like the ASCS and I still like the "universal" rule package idea, but the ASCS has completely lost control of the costs associated with their engine package. They haven't done enough to control costs and now their spec head idea has been twisted into one of the most expensive engines on the market. Some competitors are now spending $35,000 to build new engines, with the best of the best. That's ridiculous!

Until the ASCS does something to address their price tag, I'm going to jump off the "band wagon".

I hope the Jackson regulars can figure out how to compete at the Nationals.

We have a BINGO!! I know racing isn't "cheap", and it never will be. However, it really has gotten ridiculous. I know someone who spent $11,000 to freshen a 305 sprint car engine. Yes I said FRESHEN! Sometimes I remind people what the 360 class was intended for when it came out some 25 or so years ago. Now the 410s are almost impossible for a regular guy to race even once a week. 360s are where the 410s were 10 years ago, and the 305s likewise to the 360s. To quote a big name engine builder, "I don't know where people come up with the money, but somehow they do."

That being said, I believe that the UMSS has been doing a great job in their first years of existence and wish them continued success!

I agree with the 2 posts above. When the UMSS was formed, I didn't totally agree with what Ron Bernhagen had in mind. But I went along with it and low and behold, Ron is doing a great job. We have cars coming out. Averaged 14 cars the first year, 20 cars last year, and there are alot more cars being put together for this year. The motors just have a sleeve in the stacks to make them legal. I do know of car owners that paid up to 38K for a ASCS motor. And that was 5 yrs ago. So I"m sure the price could be higher now. Sure the purse isn't what ASCS National shows are, but we have almost 50 shows between the UMSS winged cars and the traditional non-wing cars this season.

Why? Because this is something that is easy to inspect. This way you can run any 23° head you want, just put in an inexpensive set of sleeves. Takes the illegal ASCS heads out of the equation as well. It seems to be working!?!?

A big reason that you don't need the hardest hittin' engine also is due to the size of the race tracks UMSS races on. Now, if they were to make some visits to Jackson and the Farg of old, then things would be a little different. That is where Jackson is struggling. I have heard of many teams that stay away simply because of the size of the track and how demanding it is on engines. Besides, the excitement happens in the corners, not on the straightaways.