New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

My husband and I are creating a new 3/4 midget dirttrack racing series that will hold races at local racetracks throughout Indiana and possibly surrounding states. We will announce the website in the coming months. Feel free to contact us to be added to the update list.

Jennifer Frechette
President
Jenmarco, Inc.
racing@jenmarco.com

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

Think, think, I think she said DIRT!

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

I read what she said.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

Think Speedrome Speedrome Speedrome
GOT IT!

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

I love the Speedrome. For now we are starting slowly and building up. I want to keep the costs lower for the racers. I have thought about having a separate pavement series for those who want that.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

It appears that more and more TQ people are joining this message board. Welcome:applaud:

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

ya defenitley more and more, its good that these tq guys are speaking out

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU ,THANK YOU, Maybe TQ racing will be fun again as it was years ago. I would love to apart of a new tq racing series. I WILL dust off the car for next year and plan on have fun again . THANK YOU AGAIN.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

Sounds great !:applaud: There are several cars/drivers that have been parked over the last few years just because they are fed up with all the crap. :headbang Can't wait for something new ! Thanks !

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

They use the same car for both.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

I have seen this movie before.It was released in 1996,and was called Cart vs IRL.It was a huge flop at the box office and set indy car racing back 20 years in its 11-12 years.Everyone struggles in 2 separate series with 15-20 cars.That really makes the racing a lot better.I wish you luck in your venture but my guess is an organization that has been around for 48 years is doing something right.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

They do use the same car but not tires and set up. It may not be an issue and could be a possibility.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

Or has never had a serious threat of a rival organization......

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

UMRA has great tradition.......when it was ran by the membership as intended......not by one group of racers.
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Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

The great tradition is what I loved about the UMRA when I first got involved with them. I think racing should be fun, competitive and I want people to look forward to going to races. A lot of our past summer plans included the races.

Indiana is the heart of racing. In no other state will you find so many great racing teams and series. It is truly heaven for the race fan.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

Very well put....
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Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

I totally agree with TQ97. There has never been another series come into the area that UMRA races. UMRA is pretty much drama each season, but it's not drama from great racing, or car counts, like it used to be. Each year, there's something that creates a stir with this series. Each year, the Goff Racing cars, teams, or drivers are at the center of it all. Whether it's doing idiotic things on the track, complaining about weight and motors, or just the fact that they get back, they're always doing NOTHING good for the sport, period.

I also read where someone said that the Goff's sell tickets. Are you kidding me?! I know quite a few people that don't go to UMRA events, simply because of how the series is run and the Goff's. UMRA has not and will not stand up to the Goff's, especially Terry. UMRA's made their bed, so let them sleep in it. If my thought's are correct, they won't have a bed in a year or two.

Now, back to the new series. If this new series listens to the drivers and teams, then they can be successful. Have them be involved with everything that goes on. Have ALL of the rules "cut and dry", so there's no need for judgement calls, all of the time. Whether it's on the track, or down to motors and chassis. Really appreciate the racers and teams. This really goes a long way, I think! They are who is putting on a show for your series. Finally, appreciate the fans and give them some good, fair, quality entertainment that is we can tell is being run by a great, professional organization!

Thank you! :checkered:

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

We will rely heavily on the drivers and teams for imput. The door will always be open to suggestions. We are new to this side of racing and hopefully we can all work together to reduce the learning curve. It will take a few years to build up. I want an organization that will be around forever.

I want to make the rules as cut and dry as possible and have an experienced racing legal team helping with that. But I also know, as much as we try, there will be exceptions that warrant judgment call. Rules will then be changed to spell those out for the future. The rules should be as fair as possible. I just don't want to see deliberate acts of violence. There is no place in a dangerous sport for that. I trust that the officials will be able to tell the difference between a deliberate take out and a racing incident. A lot of racing is luck. I don't plan to change rules to decrease competition. I don't believe in penalizing someone because they weigh less or have worked hard to create a faster engine, within the specs. Now we will check for magnets on the gas pedals. So don't even try it. LOL

We want to create a series that allows for growth and improvement in the sport. Where drivers can get experience and perfect their skills. We want to create opportunities for drivers to move up if that's their wish or just have places to race. Some place where the fans can go to watch exciting racing and meet drivers. I want it to be fun again.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

I agree with Racefan, a club that has been around for 48 years must be doing something right. This club has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years, as far as car count, and fan popularity. The economy this year has hurt alot of racing clubs. This club is maintaining its traditions as well as growing, they are racing Rushville and some of the fairs as well as some of the finest tracks in Indiana. I do not have a problem with competition if it is done for the right reasons and not sour grapes. Some people always get down on consistent winners. My questions to STP would be what are your qualifications to run a racing association? Have you been a car owner, a track owner or a promoter? Would just like some more info!!

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Out of curiosity, If there is so many cars sitting and a majority wanting another club to form, why don't you just run for president of the club and turn things around on how you think it should be since you could make the changes. If that many people are going to support you with your new club, they would support you in voting for you for president. I really don't see how there would be enough TQ's to divide them up in different groups. Car count and TQ racing would both suffer, run for president and make the changes you think would improve the club and keep all the cars together in one show for greater car counts, better racing, and more fanbase.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

My qualifications are that I have built a multi-million dollar business from $500. I know what it takes to run a business and it's surrounding yourself with good people. I may not have experience as a promoter, driver or owner. I do have many people who have lots of racing experience from many aspects that are working together to get TQ racing back to what it was. I have 100% faith in them and their intentions.

The economy isn't hurting TQ racing, judging from the number car owners and drivers that have contacted me. There are enough to run 3 or 4 clubs with lots more interested in building new cars. TQ racing isn't that expensive and I plan on having higher purses to make it worth it.

Feel free to ask if you have other questions. I want to make the sport of racing better.

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I totally agree with the tradition that UMRA brings to the table. It would be sad to see it go, but some things change. In my opinion, they've had plenty of time to fix the issues that have caused this situation. It's not something that's just being brought up after one race, or even one season.

There are times where these "traditions" become "history". It's like Winston Cup becoming Nextel Cup, then Sprint Cup. It's like Great American Ballpark replacing Wrigley Field, or even Yankee Stadium being replaced. You've got to keep up with the times and make changes, but that's where they sometimes struggle.

I do have to give credit to UMRA's president for one thing. He's put UMRA into some of the best tracks in Indiana. I like the guy and all of this is not on him, but it's the series as a whole.

Car counts have been down, but it's not all about the economy. It's about being tired of everything coming down to what a certain team wants, in a round about way. It's about teams being tired of all the drama that this team creates, but yet nothing is done about it. UMRA has always had big car counts, so that's out of the question. They used to have fifty-plus cars at some races, so that's not a good argument.

Finally, I think some people on this board were at the UCS race in '04, when the sprints races there. They saw a certain driver get his spot back more than once! It's those types of things being done that drive teams and fans away from UMRA, honestly. That's why there's ANY interest in a new series...

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I'm smart enough to know that won't work. It would have worked if the membership still voted but now the board makes those decisions.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

After watching your husband cuss out the flagman in front of all those fans and getting escorted out by the police was classic. I hope your not the same way! Im guessing you will never be at anderson speedway racing. So are you saying this series will not be the kenny byrge show? just wait you will see what I mean

Last time I checked UMRA is a democracy. If the pool of cars is divided neither series will survive. If you believe you have the answer to bringing sportsmanship back to T.Q. racing do it with the UMRA brand name that has thrived at times since 1961.
I would be very curious how you plan to discriminate aginst "green" race cars yet allow open compitition?
Joe Monroe
(owner with a parked car)

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

I didn't know it took "The Green Cars" to make competition. I'm pretty sure that a new series would have competition, even if "The Green Cars" aren't in attendance.

On that note, I would love to see the UMRA name continue, but I'm just not sure that it can happen. I would also agree that two series might not be a good thing, but that's only if half the cars would choose to stay with UMRA. I'm not sold that it would happen.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

My husband was very upset because he thought Tate was badly hurt. The facts are that the police did not escort him out. They came over to talk to him and realized the situation. I called Anderson Speedway to apologize and I want to apologize publicly for what happened. I don't condone that behavior and neither does my husband.

It's not going to be any one driver racing league. It's going to be a competive series comprised of race teams who want to race in an honest way.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

Sean call me out directly, I know we don't see eye to eye. Next year at the fair stop down in turn 1 and 2 I will introduce you to 2 truck loads of people there just to hate the goffs. U know the group that terry and oggy flip off just as soon as they spin. Maybe rushville is just a weird place. My Main point in that post was you can not write drivers out of a series. you get rid of them by enforceing your rules. Yes there are alot of ******** in this sport, and yes I agree they are killing it. You will gain much more respect by getting rid of the bad apples by enforceing your rules. I have seen this same story in many other SMALL raceing circles and its crazy, everyone is all talk until someone like STP actually takes a step and makes something happen. SO now we will see what happens here. If STP getts everything put together, who will actually cross that line? No need to reply here just cross the line at the first race next year. O and sean maybe you should take a bit more positive stance on Union County, a track like that (ONCE MADE SAFE) could really give a new series the boost it needs. One of the things that most fans do not realize is the power play that umra has with getting races booked.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

UMRA did not get into Union County because of its power to schedule races. It was done by several local racers in that area, and the invite back was jeopardized when the calls were not made and positions were given back when they should not have been. Billy at Union County was not happy when his crowd was booing after the feature event.
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Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

Honestly, I would have mentioned that it was you (767), but I've honestly read so many responses on numerous threads, I didn't want to say it was you, if I wasn't 100% sure.

Rushville is a weird place, for sure. I don't doubt that people go there who don't like the Goff's, cheer when the Goff's do wreck, or go there to see wrecks in general (It's a shame, but some are like that!). However, the fact that they go there just to see THEM wreck? That seems a little extreme, but that's just me.

This thread isn't about Union County, however I did mention a race that UMRA held there in '04, in particular. This really has nothing to do with my thoughts on that track, J.R. (767).

I guess we'll all see what happens. Hopefully, we'll all see that it turns out to be a good thing for racing in our area. Time will tell...

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

it is going to be interesting to see how many places STP can get into. Its not as easy as you think. Thats why tracks like Union County and Montpelier could be easy places to get into. Lets face it, not everyone is going to open there doors and say come on in. Race tracks are easier to get into. Fairboards are a mess. There are no 2 alike, and they can't agree on anything.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

First, I hate seeing an athlete get injured doing his best at his sport. Second, I grit my teeth and want to puke when it is caused by another participant.

Third, I did not see the happings that prompted these two threads. "Tate" and "New Series". But from what I have read here today is you have two teams that are the "cream" of your series fighting over being on top of a point standings and have been doing it for a long time. I assume there is lots of money and ego at stake here. But the fighting seems to be getting "dirty". The solution from one side is to split off and form a more friendly "clean" league. Others want to salvage the existing organization. I am not aware of any response to all of this by the Tate or Goff familys. Maybe they want to be as far away from this as possible.

Fourth, I had my "fun" reading about the Hatfield and MCcoy like saga here. If only John Wayne wasn't here to help you folks.

Keep on spitting words and let your officals make a ruling -live by it. Remember, injuring a fellow sportsman intentionally makes me not want to attend your races.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

In reply to STP's qualifications, you have accomplished alot. I believe that anyone that has ever been fully involved in racing from the ground up will agree that it is a completely different animal. There is an oldtimers term "grandstand racer" this refers to people that have never actually lived the racing life but think they could do it better. As someone said this happened with CART and IRL and almost destroyed open wheel racing on that level. If you sincerely have the good of racing in your heart you should think of working with a long established and respected club that is a democracy to make it make even more progress rather than tearing it down for what appears to be some grudges held.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

Are all of you guys kidding me. Why in the world would you split a club. If you think it is run by the green cars, your wrong. But if you all think it is, heres how you fix it. Back in 1993 the club decided to expell a green car and it was tied up in a legal battle for a year costing the club alot of money. Who suffered, the members. But if you want to get rid of the green cars, I would suggest you all pool your money for an attorney and get prepared to go to court, because that is what will happen. Now since I am new to this message board, I will address more comments. tq41&84, you are just as agressive and careless as the green cars, but I guess that is alright if you do it. PLEASE. Remember when you showed up at Rushville with that ungodly front bumper? What were hoping to do tear everybody else up and you come away unscaved? Now to Jenmarco.com, Jennifer and Mark, you have been a great asset to the UMRA, but that does not give you privelage to run the club or give you any power of what punishments you want to issue. You may suggest a punishment, And I guarantee the board will listen. I do. What Mark done at Anderson was uncalled for and unwarranted. I believe he is truly sorry for acting that way, but it should have never happen, especially in front of the whole crowd. Not very professional. I hate some of unwarranted complaining that goes on at EVERY track, I want to do my job, and go home. Thats why I do not get involved in the arguments. That is for the Chief Steward and board to decide. I wish you well in your journey.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

jrhgramps,

UMRA is a democracy in name alone. It ceased to be a true democracy on June 19, 1993.

I won't bore anyone with all of the details of what transpired in the week following that night at Rushville. But I will say that what UMRA did to the Goff Racing Team was wrong. It was wrong on so many levels it is still very hard for me to comprehend how it happened.

THAT was the beginning of the end.

If you read the UMRA By-Laws:

To encourage, promote and cultivate the close and lasting friendship among its members.

To promote, encourage, foster and cultivate the preservation, ownership and operation of vehicles meeting the requirements of the UMRA... to provide, negotiate and carry on programs of sports, hobbies and other activities among its members and their families for the purpose of furnishing wholesome recreation or other activites for such persons.

The people in charge of UMRA at that time (officers and board members) were entrusted to preserve UMRA. They got power hungry and thought they could get rid of the competition. Why? Because it was in UMRA's best interests? Because it was in their best interests?

I'll go with the latter.

I am ashamed to say that I was the head scorer and secretary of UMRA when this happened.

In my opinion the other officers and board members knew what they were doing was wrong. But they were greedy and couldn't let the opportunity pass them by. Why else would they have a secret board meeting and suspend an entire team.

How can a club that has a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and an eight member board of directors do this without having the secretary involved? Or their head scorer? Especially when one of the points of suspension had to do with a scoring matter.

I remember countless hours spent in board meetings that fall just trying to get UMRA to issue an apology to Johnny Goff (car owner) because he was not involved in any of the items that the team was suspended for. And when I say hours I'm talking about 10-12 hour meetings.

To the entire Goff Racing Team:

I AM SORRY

I did everything I could to help you out but it was not enough.

I know it is hard when people rip something away from you that has been a part of you for so long. My dad was involved with UMRA from almost the beginning. It's not just a job, or a place to race, it's like family.

But what you are doing now is wrong. This has nothing to do with what may or may not have happened at Anderson as I wasn't there. You are not the same people now that you were then. I wish you didn't feel that you had to take, by any means necessary, what you feel is yours. Guys that was 15 years ago. Let it go!

* * * * * * * * * *

UMRA began with humble beginnings on May 27, 1961 in Salem, Indiana. 13 cars showed up for that race. By their second race, in Martinsville, the car count had doubled to 26. 15 races later the season concluded with Mel Harpring crowned champion. Harpring won 5 of the 17 features garnering 1,861 points. Roy Young (1,336 points) and Rick Meyer (1,304) rounded out the top 3. UMRA's highest car count was at Salem on July 28th when they had 33 competitors.

* * * * * * * * * *

I wish Jennifer Frechette much success with the new club. If there is anything I can do to help just let me know.

Sandy Lowe

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

I have seen a lot of TQ races over the years as a spectator and always wandered why nothing was done with the green cars and all the problems they cause. Good to finally see someone take that stand. If it takes a new series, so be it.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

It seems very funny to me, that the Goffs are still staunch supporters of UMRA and their officials and board of directors. As far as some of the other comments about long time UMRA people I have been a fan for a very long time and know the other sides to the stories.

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

Sandy, UMRA was in bad shape in 1982 when your Dad took control. He was allowed to do it his way, picking his own board members and put the club in a position to prosper through the late 90's. I don't know of a person with the skills or the need (he made his living buliding T.Q.'s) that could pull that off today.
Our oppinions differ on what happened in '93. I was on that board. I did not vote to suspend the Goffs based on eliminating compitition. They had two public, front straightaway displays in two races and had been suspended for short periods in prior seasons with no effect on their beheivor. A longer suspension was the next step. Sadly it only made the situatuation worse.
On the subject of eliminating competition. Do you recall that in 1986 we lost our 2stroke powered "roadster" in a one of these emotionaly driven decisions.

Joe Monroe

Re: New Midwest TQ Racing Series Forming
 

So you are forming an anti- Goff Racing TQ club. Have you thought of any names for it? Oh, here is a good one... Lets run away from the competition TQ Club. Do you have a motor rule specifically planned out? How about a spec tire, car specs, car weights... I don't exactly believe you are going to have any help from UMRA. I mean unless you have a one page rule book that has 8 words... "All UMRA rules apply, except no Goff Racing." You have no idea how difficult your idea of a new club is going to be. I hope your backyard is big enough for your car count because getting tracks to accept a new, backed by no one, racing club is going to be next to impossible. Jenmarco.com will always be known as the sponsor that had to start there own club because the one they sponsored and supported so well.. HA!, UMRA, wasn't up to the standards of their liking. Good luck with your club by all means. It is just pretty sad to know that you are trying to break some 60 years of history over one race team. This sounds like a group of kids who wont let certain others come play. Again, that's all I have.