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Ray Evernham and Kenny Francis contribute to structural and safety advancements in SpeedSTR race cars.
The Inaugural SpeedSTR season concluded in November with great success. Rich "Toby" Tobias Jr. launched a new series for 2008 to give the Slingshot teams a natural progression into a larger more powerful race car and for race teams in other divisions that are finding their program getting to costly with poor purse structures. The SpeedSTR series combines economics and excellent purses that allow racing to actually "Make Sense". These cars perform on both Dirt and Asphalt giving drivers the experience and opportunity to be become more diverse. The SpeedSTR's have proven to be an excellent transition for young drivers and experienced drivers to hone their skills in front of National coverage on both surfaces. 2008 found Nascar's Ray Evernham, Kenny Francis (Kasey Kahne's crew chief), and Erin Crocker all competing in the series. With these Nascar Influences involved in the STR series the opportunities are astronomical.
A SpeedSTR is self starting, open wheel race car that is constructed of 1020 DOM tubing, has a 72" wheel base, and are powered by a 2.4 liter dual overhead cam Mopar engine with Hilborne injection, fueled with Methanol. A complete race ready STR retails for only $17,466.30. These race cars feature safety items such as full containment seats, a larger cockpit, a wider wheel base, and a lower center of gravity than traditional midgets. An aluminum top wing is designed to allow the cars to perform like a wingless racecars, but gives the drivers an added safety item with crushability in the event of getting upside down. The upper cage halo has a smaller opening than the width of the front bumper to prevent intrusion in the event of an accident. No brake rotor under your seat, one willwood caliper is located in the left rear wheel area. After a full season of competition, Tobias decided a couple of upgrades would be a good idea for the division. Because all cars are created equal, these upgrades are easily transitioned into the rules, where most divisions have various rule systems. 2009 upgrades will see STR's with higher side rails and a higher side cage bar, both improvements are designed to be safer in the event of side impacts. The front nose area is designed with more crush to absorb head-on impacts, and the cockpit has even more room and will be equipped with foot plates.
The parity in the SpeedSTR's was shown with 10 different winners in 13 events. The STR's were designed to be equal and these stats prove it. Only 2 drivers won more than one race all season. The graduates from the Slingshot division captured a very impressive 4 victories and claimed 3 out of the top four spots in the final points standings. Dirt Modified drivers who competed in the series captured 5 checkered flags.
In just one season this division has expanded to 2 new regions for 2009 showing their stability. Ray Evernham has decided to bring the STR's to the Charlotte area, while Martin Roy and Carl Labonte of RevStar have brought the STR's to Canada for the 2009 season. With these additional regions in place, 2009 will surely be exciting. Plans are in motion to have National events in which all three regions will compete. To become the 2009 National Champion, a team will have specified requirements to compete in a percentage of these National events.
With today's tough economy the SpeedSTR's are the answer to "Affordable Racing". When Tobias designed these cars, he set out to answer these 9 complaints in auto racing and after the inaugural season the STR's have proven to accomplish that and Tobias is determined to continue this tradition for a long time.
Overall Costs Are Out Of Hand – A complete SpeedSTR Race Car costs less than most division's entire engine packages; also the cost to compete on a week-to-week basis is designed to be more economical than most divisions. See the attached comparison sheet showing the economics of the engine, roller, shocks, tires, wheels, etc. to other divisions
Big Dollar Teams Always Run Up Front – You will have the peace of mind that you have what every other SpeedSTR team has on a week-to-week and year-to-year basis. No more complaining that the big dollar teams have something better than you
Rules Are Different Everywhere I Go- Owner Rich Tobias will "NEVER" allow any non SpeedSTR specific racecars to compete within his series; there will be "Continuity of the Rules" at all tracks in all States. No more Track Promoters lining their pockets by making rule changes to benefit them.
Purses Have Been The Same Forever – One of owner Rich Tobias's pet peeves is that drivers of yesterday and today are simply "Circus Performers". The owners are always in the RED at season's end, unless they have sufficient marketing dollars. Rich's goal is to have a series where the owners can actually earn a positive cash flow with their race team. SpeedSTR Purses will be structured accordingly.
Can't Pass! To Many One-Groove Tracks – It is not generally the tracks fault. The cars of today are so technologically equipped which allows them to lock down on certain areas of the track, which produces one fast groove. The SpeedSTR on the other hand uses simple basic equipment so it is up to the teams Chassis Knowledge and the Drivers Ability to make their cars competitive, allowing multiple grooves of racing. All SpeedSTR's are created equal
Dirt vs. Asphalt - The SpeedSTR gives teams the ability to compete on both Dirt and Asphalt without having 2 different race cars. For those of you who have aspirations on moving up to professional levels of Motorsports, you must get asphalt experience and the SpeedSTR allows you to compete on both surfaces.
Resale Value –Spec racecars such as the Legends and the Slingshots generally only loose 20-30% of their value where most open division cars loose 50-60 %
Lack Of Time To Prepare Racecars – For those of you currently racing full body cars, there is no verbiage to express the ease of working on an open wheel car versus a full body car. For you open wheel guys, you know what we are talking about
Self-Starting – The SpeedSTR is a self-starting car with a clutch system. A self-starting car provides numerous conveniences at the shop and track. For most of you full body owners you know what we mean, and for you open wheel guys you will soon see
Visit the SpeedSTR and Speedway Entertainment website at www.SpeedwayEntertainment.com
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