Ken Bonnema (Offline)
#69
3/4/17 8:09 PM
I have always been about inclusion as opposed to exclusion. IMHO, the near perfect set of rules already exist and one word says it all....MONTPELIER!! It's based on a pretty simple concept. (1) Bring your car. (2) Race your car. (wow) I would say regarding chain drive vs. q/c who cares but obviously some folks do, but the fan in the stands likely has a hard time telling the difference ( Ya Know,if it looks like a Duck....) and the car count continues to grow. Back in the early 2k's I was on the Board with BCRA and we had very low count, some times as low as 9 cars and rarely were we over 14. We introduced Division 2 (VW's, Chev. 2 , Cosworth ect) but ran them against the regular Midgets. They had a heat, dash and all of a sudden we had around 17 cars which made us look like something so interest (and car count) grew. By the end of the ' 02 season we were running a few B mains and paying $150.00 to start the A with $75 for all non A main starters which at the time was more than USAC. Sadly myself and Gary Dickenson left the board in '03 and Div.2 was kicked to the curb, car counts fell and you probably know the rest. Am I correct that the new Div. 2 does not allow the aforementioned VW's ect? And if not, why not? How about the cars with old Fontanas and the like just sitting. Pretty sure that IF they are a little heavy on H.P., some air restrictions could be applied. The I.R.S. seems to have figured all that years ago.Bottom line is that it's about CAR COUNT 'cause the fan in the stands is very tired of 6 division shows with 10-12 cars (if that) per division. To me, it all goes back to Montpelier keeping it simple and continuing to grow. Here's some Focus history some may not be aware of. (1) The original Focus as proposed was a Honda. I saw it at Turkey Night around '98 or so. Of course, Ford's money came in so Focus it was. Then Ford's money dried up, Honda came into the picture now you all need Honda's and we know how that turned out. Now we have Speed 2 Midgets which if I am correct, (not really sure 'cause I can't find a rule book) is a Focus only group, once again excluding the Ecotec's ect. I know for a fact, those guys wanna run, but apparently are not welcome. Historic fact (2) 1/2 way thru the inaugural Focus season the point leader with several wins was Todd Hunsaker in his 100 year old T.Q. and I remember speaking with a certain ex USAC V.P. asking him what they were gonna do about THAT. He sternly replied that the champion WILL have a Ford Focus and before the end of the season he indeed did. The point here is that most of these cars are going about the same speed. To bad we can't get them all together and just let 'em race. It would be a heckofashow. Then again, there's always Montpelier....
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DAD (Offline)
#70
3/5/17 12:41 AM
Ken
I was on hand when Harold Hunter held his organizational in Indy several years ago. He listened very intently>>asked a few questions went home and drew up the rules for his Midget Class at Montpelier Speedway. The following are the specifications that are his rules for the Montpelier Midget class.
2017 Montpelier Motor Speedway Midget Rules
Midgets
Appearance
All cars shall appear and fit the guidelines of a “traditional” midget
Weight
Minimum Weight – 1,050 Pounds (Including Driver) – Cars powered by Fontana, Esslinger, Stanton, Gaerte, and other purpose built engines are legal and will fall under this guideline.
Midgets Powered By Spec Engines, Honda/Ford Focus, Volkswagen, Entirely Stock Production Block and Head, Chevy II, etc… – No Minimum Weight
Tires
Open Tire Rule (Compound and Brand) ALL 4 Corners.A maximum 10″ width right rear rim may be used. A maximum 12″ width tire may be mounted to the 10″ rim.
Use of only 1 right rear for entire race event (heat race and all features) unless approved by race official to be flat or a potential safety hazard. If a replacement is required, the replacement tire must be the same compound and brand as the tire being approved for removal. All tires will be marked following hot laps.
Mini Sprints
Appearance
All cars shall appear as a “traditional” midget
Engine/Drive Train
All 1000CC and greater Upright Mini Sprints (Non Wing) are eligible to compete in the midget class. Cars falling under Mini Sprint rules will be motorcycle engine powered and may be chain driven or utilize a traditional drive-line and quick-change rear end. All cars under caution and restarts shall maintain an idle speed as great as the full production midget. Cars that fail to do this will be sent to the tail.
Weight
No Minimum Weight
Tires
Open Tire Brand/Compound ALL 4 corners with a maximum 12″ width right rear wheel rim.
It works>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>His rule is based on the right rear tire and wheel, He learned a lot in that meeting. I think he later made an amendment to prevent the MC cars from sandbagging the starts on the Midgets
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