Three Quarter Midgets
 

Someone asked for a new thread, here it is. The United Midget Racing Association is starting its 49th season. If they were not devoted, loyal and knew a little something about operating a successful racing organization I doubt they would have lasted over 4 decades. Not to mention being the organization that a few well known drivers have begun their careers. (Derek Sheffel, Jason Leffler, Eddie Carpenter, and oh yes, a gentleman named Tony Stewart). Mr. Stewart still supports the UMRA by owning a very competitive car in the organization he values loyalty and tradition. This time next year I am sure the UMRA will be planning their GOLDEN Anniversary season!! We will have to wait and see if the other club makes it to a 2nd or 3rd season.

Re: Three Quarter Midgets
 

:greenflag: Your right the UMRA has a lot of tradition. Back in 1996 this club had 60 cars show up weekly. Now diminished to less than 30 cars. This year will be at about 20 if they're lucky. So for a group going in the right direction :loser: you must not be going to the same races I’ve been at. My opinion is that the UMRA let a team run it into the ground. I have seen this team run off 2 chief stewart because there were penalized for breaking the rules. One of them was one of terry's friends or so he thought. This guy would give you the shirt off his back "O" he did when terry blew up his motor he let him borrow his to get him through the season".


So for your golden anniversary..:applaud:.. You can do a story on a bottle feed champion. Oggie will be named MVP for having the most assist, but it was a close race .:thumb:.. Kevin was right on his hills, but bowed out when he found out it was between him and a Goff, he let him win also. Maybe we can get guest speaker like :angry-smiley-007:Sester, Ambross, Burge, Feirman, Martz, Arrington, Hankins and anyone that has been wronged by the GREAT UMRA. so sorry if I might shed some light on what a great group has be doing for 50 year so they must be doing it right so no one should challenge them.


hopefully we can get some stories about how you have been wronged :icon_smile_blackeyeby the GREAT UMRA thank you very much for your time lets go racing where ever it may be and please be safe doing this.:checkered::applaud:

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93 through 96 were some of the best years of the UMRA.... a lot sure has changed since then unfortunately.

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Agreed Jake,,,,,ahhh the good old days.

J.L. Brewer

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Leffler didn't start his career in the UMRA.....he ran USAC WS TQ's.

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Maybe on the west coast, but I saw him run at Rushville. AJ and Jake, your right, the good old days.:)

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I know exactly what you are talking about, my question is what will happen this season at the other club when someone does not get their way, or gets crashed and someone gets mad, and it will happen, and there are no green cars to blame? We will see!! To end this thread because I have far to much respect for the UMRA, its traditions, the people that run it successfully and myself, as a person that has spent my entire life around racing of all kinds, to continue to deal with people that refuse to look at the reasons why and ways that the other club is being started. As I said The UMRA will celebrate their Golden anniversary and we will wait to see how long the other club can continue to function. I am sure it will be quite entertaining to real racers. :wink

Re: Three Quarter Midgets
 

These 2 series can and should function together. An example would be the mini sprints. AMSA had been around for about 20 years as of last year. The MMSA was started and everyone thought that there would be a huge split and car counts would be terrible. Guess what? they weren't. Guys that were loyal to AMSA ran with them, and others ran MMSA. Most ran both. Both series averaged about 20-24 cars a race which isn't great, but decent, and with some as high as 35. The schedules did not conflict much, and again this year they do not. They can up to 40 races in a season. WOW.

I really don't know much about Tq racing except there is a bunch of ********. some advice to the people of the two series, stop badmouthing the other series. It does no good and just makes you and your organization look like idiots. Keep to yourself, run your own races, and leave it like that. Let the other series worry about their agenda and move on. If you stay out of each others way, then both series can exist together, such as in my example, which in my opinon is just that much better for the racer.

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Thats not a very good example to me. Cause just think if there werent two clubs there would be 40 to 50 cars at each race and the racers will have to earn a spot in there features. It didnt work with IRL and Cart and I dont think its gonna work here. But I will agree that the jenmarco people are putting a hell of an effort into it and thats what it takes. I am die hard UMRA because that were I run and grew up watching it, and do feel like the reasons for starting the other club werent the right ones, because I think that your always gonna have a team that no one likes and thinks there cheating cause there winning alot. I dont agree with all the things that have happend in the past in the UMRA but thats why my dad got on the board so maybe we can get some of those things fixed. But as far as all this bashing the goffs Its stupid, As far as im consurned all these people should quite worring so much about them and worry about doing there best and making a name for them selfs. If they would spend as much time in the shop working on there cars as they do bashing on here they probley would be faster on the track. The goffs work there butts off in that shop of theres, Thats why there fast! Ok enough about that, All I know is that Im ready to go racing and hope every body comes out to support the TQ racing in general, cause it is some of the best racing out there.
#11 Brandon Gray

Re: Three Quarter Midgets
 

Yes, he ran at Rushville (in 98 or 99 I think), but the statement was that he started his racing career in UMRA.

As for the rest of this stuff.....when is either complete schedule going to be out?

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Terry Goff has helped me out tremendously the past few years since I started, both during the week and at the track and its been greatly appreciated. Makes it alot easier and less frustrating when you have someone with alot of experience willing to help. What I am getting to is some people might just get wrong impressions sometimes of people til you get to know them. Also ran wheel to wheel with him many times and never touched:checkered:

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Good point Slide22! However, In your case with mini sprints wasn't the 2nd organization created to help or give guys a 2nd option to run without direct competition or excluding a certian team from compitetion? That seems to me what has caused such a huge uproar!! People can form their own opinion on almost everything these days and with the internet and email can broadcast it the world in just a few clicks. It's been stated that both clubs have been bashing each other which is not completely true. If memory serves me when the MTQRL first announced they were starting a new club there reasoning was the UMRA would not throw out the GOFFS and they insisted the terrible crashed was intentional! At that point they questioned the integrity of several individuals. To come out and make a BOLD statement like that as there coming out party or invitation doesn't sound like a club that is truely out to promote TQ racing. They have stuck to there cause "to promote TQ racing". The whole problem is with them attacking people's integrity and banning a team or any car that is green drew battle lines for a large majority of people myself included! If there honest goal was to promote TQ racing and grow the sport they should have gotten there spokesperson sooner or would not have angered so many people with there statements to begin with. Im sure there are teams out there that would never run with the UMRA again (thats to bad) and I'm sure there are guys the will not run with the MTQRL (thats also to bad). I've been told that the MTQRL was contacted and no return call was given. I would hope that is false. If you were truely out to promote TQ racing and grow the sport wouldn't you want the advice from a successfull club and try to include all of the TQ owners and drivers in the midwest instead of making your opening statements banning certian teams or colors. You might not like certain teams whether its in the UMRA, USAC, IRL or NASCAR but don't discount there hard work. Can you imagine if Jack Roush wanted to start up a new stock car circuit but stated Hendrick would not be allowed in ( I compare the two teams for the impact in their respective organization) NOT SMART!!!! What kind of division would that cause? It just seems to me "the MTQRL was started with destruction in mind not promotion". If I'm wrong make the call and promote TQ racing not MTQRL racing!!!

Michael Koontz #17
To be the best you must beat the best.

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Just an observation.....

MTQRL rule book is out.

7.0 Licenses: Any person may become a registered owner/driver of the league upon
payment of the active annual dues and execution of an Agreement of Release

Re: Three Quarter Midgets
 

I spoke to the folks at the MTQRL booth at the expo and they seem to be on the up and up to me, not to mention excited to go racing. I also spoke with Bobby Walton at the expo and he seemed very positive about the UMRA's future. I must admit I am anxious to see where the UMRA has some races scheduled. When I first started to race with the UMRA I always liked the big tracks. But as I got more experience I preferred the small fairground tracks. Now that I have had the chance to sit in the stands and watch the TQ's run on several occasions I feel they put on a much better show at the small fairgound tracks. Therefore after looking at the MTQRL schedule I think it is great to see a place like Madison get some TQ action again. I would hope to see the UMRA try to do the same with getting back to some of the fairground stuff.

So for the guys that are going to run the MTQRL I say go for it. From what I can tell Mr. Frechette seems like a good guy and a positive for TQ racing in Indiana. I know when I ran I always loved to have more opportunities to race (that is why I was always on Mason Fleetwood at Salem to do more non-sanctioned stuff). One thing is for sure Mr. and Mrs. Frechette will never get the money out of it that they will have to put in to it, and there is no greater way to grow any kind of racing than that.

For the guys that are going to run with the UMRA. If you truly believe in the UMRA then you must put your trust in the leadership you have selected. Bobby is a good guy and will work hard for you (and we all know he will probably put up with more B.S. than he deserves).

As the old saying goes "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger". I think that holds true for both entities. Either way you will all be participating in the greatest sport on the planet, and have plenty of opportunities to do it, what more could you want?


J.L. Brewer

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Wonderful observation Mr. Brewer.
I wish Indiana TQ racing much success.
I have many fond memories of the time period Knoke77 mentioned.
Kerry

Re: Three Quarter Midgets
 

Hello Kerry!

How are you and the family doing?

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:respect::checkered:Hey, ole RedRacer, I sent your Red Racer to a warmer climate, about a month ago, Dolthan, Al, I believe, is it's new address. Sold it to a feller who's Dad used to race around here a few years back, he's gonna come up, and run some races here this summer, he's got 2 mini-sprints, but prefers the TQ, so it found a loving home. Bob :thumb

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one quick question why is the new clubs rule book word for word the umra rule book other than umra is deleted and mtqrl inserted? you would think they could make there own rules.

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It's a wonderful thing. Same rules so cars can go to both series and not have to worry about rule changes, etc.... both play by the same rules. Smart move! Don't have to worry about different specs for different series.

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Why would the rules be any different? Same cars, same racing. Should the MTQRL run their races going the other direction on the track? :O::rolling

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the new group must be doing something right i just looked on twin cities website and they have 3 races this year and the umra only has 1

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Are the Ferchettes renting the race track?

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No.

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Thats a shame that Vernon only has the UMRA one time, I really like that track. I think they made a big mistake there we allways put on a good show too! There loss!:icon_smile_blackeye
Brandon Gray #11

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or look on the bright side they have 4 tq races. if you like the track so much and the the other group, either umra or mtqrl is at a track you like less it gives you more places to race at the tracks you like. Just a idea go race at the track you like have fun and forget the ******** of all this nonsence. huh thats a word let out of many of these arguments on here abut this GO HAVE FUN!

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I'll have to agree with JPM. If you like the track (which I can understand), go have some fun at Twin Cities. I'm sure schedule conflicts might have something to do with it, especially if you're going for a title. However, if you have an "open" date, take the Gray Auto #11 down there.

I also think that "********" is a big part of it. Instead of being looked at like an outcast if you run both series, you should be looked at as a racer. It should be about having fun and having more options to race. Just like :dologob: always says, "Whooa, Racin'!"...

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Are you sure these facts are straight, since you are claiming to be the club that wants to do everything right, I would hate for anything to be misconstrued. It really is not ******** that has started this whole thing it is some people carrying a grudge because they do not understand what actually happens on a race track. Lets be clear for the record has the new club or any official of that club rented Twin City's racetrack for any time for the 2009 season?

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I think if the track was rented it wouldnt have all of the weekly classes that normally run there on the schedule for the same nights the mtqrl is racing.

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I am pretty sure if Mrs. Frechette says they didnt rent the track then they didnt rent the track. She is a very honest lady and they are running a very good thing. Its going to provide a lot more races for people to go to. And I seem to remember a term "OUTLAW" I think you could be considered that now if you run both series lol.

Brad Wilson 65

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You guys said it. Jake, J.L., both of you remember well. Dont get me wrong, we had our dominating cars to,,,,,R. Ambrose with a offset Konig motor, but some how we handled it better. One thing is for sure, we had a hell of a bunch of good guys that made that club solid. It well never be the same ! !

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violin why are you so againt the new club?

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It is the way The Ferchettes went about this and the real reason that they did it. If they would be honest this started after an incident last season at Anderson Speedway. And I have a problem with people that know nothing about racing trying to buy their way in and down the people that have spent their lives, blood, sweat and tears building something. What the Ferchettes are touting that won't happen in their club is exactly what they did at Anderson and why this whole thing has started.

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I think if the racers are smart thet will go to the tracks that they like, are closer to their home, or pay the most. As a former car owner in the umra thats what I would do anyhow. I don't think the new club is about alienating a certain team as much as it is taking bias out of the equation.

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:greenflag: if the true be known i heard about a newclub being started before the anderson race started. it was just the straw that broke the camels back. so if had any clue at all . i talk about ten other people that what to start a new club because of a the ******** in the umra . i HAVE NOTHING AGAINST EITHER CLUB but raced with umra for a ittle bit it might be nice to have an alternet choose. :checkered:

ps maybe the accident was not on intentional ,but if u cant control ur car on a track where sprint car run 3 abreast maybe you shouldnot race.:icon_smile_blackeye:checkered:

Re: Three Quarter Midgets
 

STP

Member
Heat Race Winner



Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Racing Capital of the World
Posts: 217 Re: Tate Martz

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Quote:
Originally Posted by JPM
just a question not pro or anti goff but what would happen when a so called green car pulled into a midwestern tq midget pits. would they not be allowed to race with this league or are all cares that fit the rules allowed to race?

to a real question is it time that the umra reduced the age limit to race to get more cars? I would say that they could get people that run mini sprints , kenyons, and focus cars.


UMRA=

It will be a private club and they will NOT be welcomed.

I don't think even changing the age limit would make a difference for them. There are too many people in running the club that can't see the light of day. We are planning to include drivers 14 and up as long as they are willing to sign a race emmancipation agreement. I want the league to be a transition from karts to sprints. And welcome career members and those wishing to use it as a stepping stone to the next level.

************************************************** ***********
Just a quote that I remembered STP posted when they began their club. This also backs up what violin is saying. "just trying to buy there way in" and backs up what I say "they are not promoting TQ racing" which is fine thay can do what they want and drivers can choose to or not to support them. Just don't advertise your private club like everyone can come and race!

Michael Koontz #17
To be the best you must beat the best!

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:greenflag:so what is wrong with renting a track. It make perfect sents the pay to promote the race and recieve all the profit. were i come from that pretty smart. I think thats where the umra got the extra money for the mtlawn race. when they ran the race at greensburg the week before. why would the greensburg toursim group sponsor race in a different county . :checkered:

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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael,

1) Not sure how in that statement you get ("just trying to buy there way in")

2) The statement was made out of the respects we have for the Martz and Ramsey Family.

TQ racing is much much more than just one team.

Mark F Frechette
President
MTQRL

Re: Three Quarter Midgets
 

MKTQ17,

I'm glad you took the time to quote a post made on August 24, 2008 at 12:43 pm.

I think the MTQRL Rule Book (effective date 1/1/09) posted on their website would be the more accurate stance on who would be eligible to compete in MTQRL:

LICENSING AND REGISTRATION
7.0 Licenses: Any person may become a registered owner/driver of the league upon
payment of the active annual dues and execution of an Agreement of Release.

After your first post on IOW where you stated that the new club was started to exclude a certain team from competition (paraphrasing from Post #12 in this thread) TQ97 responded by quoting this same rule from MTQRL.

As far as I am concerned they have a rule that says if you join their club and you sign a release you can race with them. Their registration form is posted on their website too. It is just standard questions, name, address, tax info, etc. Nowhere does it ask what color your car is, if you've been involved in ontrack altercations with other drivers, been suspended or reprimanded by other organizations, etc.

My belief is that whatever the color of your car, or your last name, as long as you pay their dues and abide by their rules you will be welcome to race with the MTQRL.

Just as I feel the same will be true for any MTQRL regulars who show up to race with the UMRA on off weekends when the MTQRL isn't racing.

Sandy Lowe

Re: Three Quarter Midgets
 

To everyone who is involved, or has been involved, in three-quarter midget racing and is bickering on IOW and airing all of your dirty laundry in public, you are not helping.

Take your energy, anger, etc. and try to figure out a way to get UMRA and MTQRL to come together and be one strong club instead of two weak ones.

UMRA's average car count last year was 28.64. If you take out the pavement races (which averaged 22) the car count bumps up a little to 30.69. UMRA's highest car count was 35.

The most TQ's competing on any one night was 40. This was when the MTQRL held their first race (17 cars) the same night as UMRA's season closer (23 cars).

You need more people to become involved in three-quarter midget racing as car owners and drivers. Do you think anyone who reads the bickering on IOW is going to buy a TQ and race with either club?

If you want three-quarter midget racing to be successful make positive posts on IOW. Or just not post at all.

If your intentions are to rip apart three-quarter midget racing and have it fail then go right ahead and continue with your negative posts.

Sandy Lowe

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Sandy, I want to thank you, for your post, I was thinking of doing the same thing. All this "demolition", by people hiding their identity, only adds to the dark shadow, being cast by their comments, and puts ALL Tq racing in danger. What is currently happening, has been "festering", for at least 10 years. The fact that a new organization has been formed, and has been successful so far, only brings out the need, for a real deep look, into this form of racing. Hiding identity, taking cheap shots, doesn't bring people together, it only makes the whole TQ racing, in general, look bad. Thanks again, Sandy! Bob