Re: 2014 Gas City Schedule!!......
 

Thanks for the, um intermission, Brucer...:18:
But back to the subject, I just had a long conversation with Mel; heck of a nice guy. The long and short of it is, he still hasn't got the Midget rules nailed down yet, and had kind of a misperception that the Mini Sprints had an advantage over full Midgets at Montpelier (somebody told him they let Mini Sprints run wings against the Midgets; what the heck?). I did my best to persuade him that a "National" Midget still has the edge, but Mini Sprints can be competitive and add to the car count. He's also had discussions with Greg Watson (Alex Watson's Dad) who's told him the same thing. Mel said he would give our input some serious thought and give me a call when he's decided what he's going to do. Maybe some of you other sprocket-heads should give him a call, too; take up your chains and rise!!! We have nothing to lose but our Friday nights!

Originally Posted by jjones752:
Thanks for the, um intermission, Brucer...:18:
But back to the subject, I just had a long conversation with Mel; heck of a nice guy. The long and short of it is, he still hasn't got the Midget rules nailed down yet, and had kind of a misperception that the Mini Sprints had an advantage over full Midgets at Montpelier (somebody told him they let Mini Sprints run wings against the Midgets; what the heck?). I did my best to persuade him that a "National" Midget still has the edge, but Mini Sprints can be competitive and add to the car count. He's also had discussions with Greg Watson (Alex Watson's Dad) who's told him the same thing. Mel said he would give our input some serious thought and give me a call when he's decided what he's going to do.

Well, last spring, I was the only mini sprint at Montpelier for the Friday night race and I definitely did not have any advantage over the midgets. I was flat footed, elbows up and hanging in there with the oil cooled Suzuki til it let go. As anyone who has been to one of the events, it's a level playing field. The first season really illustrated this as Joe was one of the front runners because two reasons. 1. Heck of a shoe. 2. Nailed his setup.

Originally Posted by PatrickMead#13:
Well, last spring, I was the only mini sprint at Montpelier for the Friday night race and I definitely did not have any advantage over the midgets. I was flat footed, elbows up and hanging in there with the oil cooled Suzuki til it let go. As anyone who has been to one of the events, it's a level playing field. The first season really illustrated this as Joe was one of the front runners because two reasons. 1. Heck of a shoe. 2. Nailed his setup.

Alex Walton was in this boat as well.

Re: Gas City 2014
 

I know, my brother, I was there; I don't know who's giving Mel the Kool-Aid (thought that was my job :D) about us puttin' it to the Midgets but I did my best to set him straight. Time will tell if we'll have another place to get sideways...

Re: Gas City 2014
 

It's getting a little late to still be figuring out what any rules are. Someone is behind and the season is on top of us. Monica

Re: Gas City 2014
 

Originally Posted by mowerman:
It's getting a little late to still be figuring out what any rules are. Someone is behind and the season is on top of us. Monica

I agree. When I spoke with Mel it sounded like he had a lot on his plate, hopefully he hasn't bitten off too much; apparently the Thunder Car scene is even more political than what's going on over on the National Mini Sprint Rules thread! A 20-race Midget schedule and no rules in place yet is concerning.
But, as I said before, he seems like a really nice guy; he has a real affection for that race track and wants to do everything he can to make it a first-class operation. He has some good ideas for getting people in the stands and making new fans out of kids.
It was a packed half-hour phone call; I wish Mel every success, and hope to support his Midget venture if the rules allow us the opportunity.

2014 Gas City schedule!!......
 

no probs JJones!!...had some smoke, set off the alarm, in da kitchen that needed my immediate attn.!!..my bad for the delay!!....
____________
Brucer':32:

Re: Gas City 2014
 

I am sorry to get people concerns up all I know is Mel took the track and did not let it sit dark as was a real possibility.

Like Jones said Mel cares about Gas City and will do what he has to too make it work, sorry he does not have things as perfect as some of the fans/drivers/owners would like but again it beats the hell out of not running Gas City at all.

I for one have faith in Mel and his team.

Please keep in mind the last time Gas City wanted to update the stands the town of Gas city was the one that stopped progress not the track.

Hope to see you all in a month or so.

Jerry

Re: Gas City 2014
 

I'm wondering about important things, like when I can put down my seats for the year:22:

Re: Gas City 2014
 

Originally Posted by AERO410SCJA:
I'm wondering about important things, like when I can put down my seats for the year:22:

Aero, would you possibly be able to save me a seat?

Re: Gas City 2014
 

Mel has a full plate in front of him..he hasnt had a lot of time to get a schedule in place, talk to the sanctions, get a crew together etc..I have faith he is going to turn Gas City around. I am pretty excited for the year..

Tyler

Re: Gas City 2014
 

Originally Posted by AERO410SCJA:
I'm wondering about important things, like when I can put down my seats for the year:22:

Got ours down already .:32::32::32::32::32::32::32::32::32:

Re: Gas City 2014
 

Originally Posted by jjones752:
I agree. When I spoke with Mel it sounded like he had a lot on his plate, hopefully he hasn't bitten off too much; apparently the Thunder Car scene is even more political than what's going on over on the National Mini Sprint Rules thread! A 20-race Midget schedule and no rules in place yet is concerning.
But, as I said before, he seems like a really nice guy; he has a real affection for that race track and wants to do everything he can to make it a first-class operation. He has some good ideas for getting people in the stands and making new fans out of kids.
It was a packed half-hour phone call; I wish Mel every success, and hope to support his Midget venture if the rules allow us the opportunity.

If he is smart and wants something easy he should make Gas City Midget and Thunder car rules follow Montpeliers as im sure the same cars will be running at both tracks weekly. JMO

Re: Gas City 2014
 

Give Mel some time to get his ducks in a row.

If Mel doesn't agree to take over as the promoter Gas City would have been closed this year.

Mel took over just a few weeks ago and here is what he faced:

Finding & hiring folks to do the track preparation
Finding & hiring someone to run the food service
Finding & hiring announcers
Finding & hiring race night competition directors for each weekly class
Updating the website
Putting together the rest of the race schedule (most was already in place)

So please give him more time to finalize things I'm sure Mel will give everybody (race teams, drivers, fans, etc.) an enjoyable place to have fun on Friday evenings in 2014.

Re: Gas City 2014
 

Originally Posted by batch56:
Aero, would you possibly be able to save me a seat?

Sure:32:

Re: Gas City 2014
 

Originally Posted by batch56:
Aero, would you possibly be able to save me a seat?

Wont you be at Attica on Fridays? :D

Re: Gas City 2014
 

Originally Posted by Danny Williams Sr.:
Give Mel some time to get his ducks in a row.

If Mel doesn't agree to take over as the promoter Gas City would have been closed this year.

Mel took over just a few weeks ago and here is what he faced:

Finding & hiring folks to do the track preparation
Finding & hiring someone to run the food service
Finding & hiring announcers
Finding & hiring race night competition directors for each weekly class
Updating the website
Putting together the rest of the race schedule (most was already in place)

So please give him more time to finalize things I'm sure Mel will give everybody (race teams, drivers, fans, etc.) an enjoyable place to have fun on Friday evenings in 2014.

Thanks Danny, We are beside Mel all the way

Jerry #66j

Re: Gas City 2014
 

Originally Posted by Fox.53:
Wont you be at Attica on Fridays? :D

That might be a possibility! :3::3:

Re: Gas City 2014
 

I truly understand being a part of a thankless job, good luck Mel

Re: Gas City 2014
 

Quick scan of http://gascityi69speedway.org/rules.html revealed the following
(Not in the Midgets tab under rules, just clicking Rules itself):
MIDGETS

Appearance
All cars shall appear and fit the guidelines of a traditional midget, such as all USAC National Midgets; for example-no bicycle tires on left front.

Weight
Minimum Weight - 1,050 Pounds (including driver) for cars using Fontana, Esslinger, Stanton, Gaerte, and other legal National Midgets. Midgets powered by Volkswagen, Honda, Ford Focus, and entirely stock production block and head
(such as Chevy II, etc.) - No Minimum Weight

Unfortunately, the first phrase appears to exclude chain-driven cars; not specifically, but "All cars shall appear and fit the guidelines of a traditional midget, such as all USAC National Midgets" could be interepreted that way, especially with no mention of motorcycle powerplants in the "non-National" category.
That's disappointing; after speaking with Mel last week I would have hoped that he would have seen fit to give us a try.
Oh well; one more night a week to prepare for Montpelier, which will clearly be my "home" track now...

Re: Gas City 2014
 

Originally Posted by jjones752:
Quick scan of http://gascityi69speedway.org/rules.html revealed the following
(Not in the Midgets tab under rules, just clicking Rules itself):
MIDGETS

Appearance
All cars shall appear and fit the guidelines of a traditional midget, such as all USAC National Midgets; for example-no bicycle tires on left front.

Weight
Minimum Weight - 1,050 Pounds (including driver) for cars using Fontana, Esslinger, Stanton, Gaerte, and other legal National Midgets. Midgets powered by Volkswagen, Honda, Ford Focus, and entirely stock production block and head
(such as Chevy II, etc.) - No Minimum Weight

Unfortunately, the first phrase appears to exclude chain-driven cars; not specifically, but "All cars shall appear and fit the guidelines of a traditional midget, such as all USAC National Midgets" could be interepreted that way, especially with no mention of motorcycle powerplants in the "non-National" category.
That's disappointing; after speaking with Mel last week I would have hoped that he would have seen fit to give us a try.
Oh well; one more night a week to prepare for Montpelier, which will clearly be my "home" track now...

It's funny; I went to the Montpelier site to compare the rules package and the Gas City rules appear to have been lifted straight out of the Montpelier site, with the "such as all USAC National Midgets" comment and the reference to "no bicycle tires" added in, and the Mini Sprint rules package blatantly left off.
If you're going to plagiarize from a track that has had obvious success with their program, why not go all in?

Re: Gas City 2014
 

One would think? Makes ya think of scrambled eggs, sort of, and then if you don't specify you want them FRIED, you're liable to get them just that way, raw and scrambled, it's like well" we just assumed" you could figure it out, you know where that gets ya! just sayin! Bob

Re: Gas City 2014
 

glad to see midgets on the format, would like to see some other Indiana tracks get on the bandwagon and perhaps a kim (king of Indiana midgets) trveling series as well

Midgets will bring me back for a few races. Great to see gas city step up, now hopefully they don't F the track up before the feature like they did before.