Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction

Dayton, Ohio -- Rumble Series of Indoor Racing President Tony Barhorst announced today that he has dropped the sanction of the United States Auto Club for all promotions, including indoor series races at Columbus, Ohio; Toledo, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Ind.

The indoor races will go on without a sanction or may be sanctioned by another series, Barhorst said. The Rumble Series has had races under both scenarios since its inception in 1998. Jack Calabrase/NAMARS and the United Midget Auto Racing Association both have sanctioned the Rumble Series races. In fact, UMARA sanctioned Barhorst's promotions at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. The 2003-2004 events both had crowds of more than 20,000 fans. There will be virtually no change in our midget events as Larry Boos will continue as the race director, and Barhorst will promote them. "Larry and I have both worked without USAC in the past on these events, and I expect the entries will be the same," said Barhorst.

Barhorst's decision comes after USAC withdrew its sanction of his Indiana Midget Week race on Aug. 7 at Union County Speedway. The race was held but with only 14 cars competing. 14 more sprint cars ran an unsanctioned part of the event also.

“I helped expand the USAC Midget Week event two years ago from three nights to four when I invested in a Thursday night lease of Kamp Motor Speedway in 2007. I was unable to come to an agreement with the owners of Kamp in 2008, and moved my event to Union County Speedway in 2008, expanding Midget Week again. USAC repaid that investment by pulling out of the Liberty event at the last minute without explanation to their gathered fans who had come from as far away as California, Finland, and Austrailia. Drivers who competed later that night in the unsanctioned event stated that the track was not any more unsafe than many other tracks they run events on.”


"I will continue to promote in progressive new ways, with much of the former sanctioning fees USAC charged going to a new car owners point fund for the five race indoor series," he said. "I hope to expand midget racing into new areas, increasing purses and awareness of midget racing. I will use agressive promotions to do that, and look forward to the challenge."

The Rumble Series of Indoor Racing dates are: The Buckeye Bowl Indoor Midget Nationals at the State Fairgrounds Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 1; The Rumble In the Toledo SeaGate Centre on Dec. 19-20; and the Rumble in Fort Wayne on Dec. 26-27.

For event information, e-mail Tony Barhorst at tbracefest@aol.com, call (317) 418-3216 or visit www.rumbleseries.com. Entry forms will be announced and sent out soon.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

The point fund sounds like a great idea. We are looking foward to participating at Columbus, OH, Toledo and Fort Wayne. Sprint car standout Geoff Kaiser of Fort Wayne, IN will be behind the wheel of the Don Moore Music Publications Beast/Gaerte Ford number 10.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Ouch !
But can you blame him ?

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Like we couldn't see that coming.:action-smiley-049:

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Posted via Mobile Device
I went to the Ft. Wayne Rumble last year and it was an awesome show. I plan on making it to at least one, if not all of them this winter.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Thank God.

:thumb:thumb:thumb

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

I will gladly skip these races, if for no other reason than the complete lack of respect Mr. Barhorst showed to the competitors at Union County. Listening to him bash the drivers and teams infuriated me about as much as anything I can remember...

My question: Will Tony Stewart, whose team was ridiculed when it left UCS, be in attendance at Fort Wayne?

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

How many USAC teams showed up anyways? Not many. Darland and Hines and thats it. It will be just as good, if not better, show without USAC. Using the fee $$$ into a points fund is an excellent idea. Hopefully, you got refunded your fee $$$ at Union County.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Originally Posted by Tony Barhorst:
Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction

Dayton, Ohio -- Rumble Series of Indoor Racing President Tony Barhorst announced today that he has dropped the sanction of the United States Auto Club for all promotions, including indoor series races at Columbus, Ohio; Toledo, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Ind.

The indoor races will go on without a sanction or may be sanctioned by another series, Barhorst said. The Rumble Series has had races under both scenarios since its inception in 1998. Jack Calabrase/NAMARS and the United Midget Auto Racing Association both have sanctioned the Rumble Series races. In fact, UMARA sanctioned Barhorst's promotions at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. The 2003-2004 events both had crowds of more than 20,000 fans. There will be virtually no change in our midget events as Larry Boos will continue as the race director, and Barhorst will promote them. "Larry and I have both worked without USAC in the past on these events, and I expect the entries will be the same," said Barhorst.

Barhorst's decision comes after USAC withdrew its sanction of his Indiana Midget Week race on Aug. 7 at Union County Speedway. The race was held but with only 14 cars competing. 14 more sprint cars ran an unsanctioned part of the event also.

“I helped expand the USAC Midget Week event two years ago from three nights to four in 2007 when I invested in a Thursday night lease of Kamp Motor Speedway in 2007. I was unable to come to an agreement with the owners of Kamp in 2008, and moved my event to Union County Speedway in 2008, expanding Midget Week again. USAC repaid that investment by pulling out of the Liberty event at the last minute without explanation to their gathered fans who had come from as far away as California, Finland, and Austrailia. Drivers who competed later that night in the unsanctioned event stated that the track was not any more unsafe than many other tracks they run events on.”


"I will continue to promote in progressive new ways, with much of the former sanctioning fees USAC charged going to a new car owners point fund for the five race indoor series," he said. "I hope to expand midget racing into new areas, increasing purses and awareness of midget racing. I will use agressive promotions to do that, and look forward to the challenge."

The Rumble Series of Indoor Racing dates are: The Buckeye Bowl Indoor Midget Nationals at the State Fairgrounds Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 1; The Rumble In the Toledo SeaGate Centre on Dec. 19-20; and the Rumble in Fort Wayne on Dec. 26-27.

For event information, e-mail Tony Barhorst at tbracefest@aol.com, call (317) 418-3216 or visit www.rumbleseries.com. Entry forms will be announced and sent out soon.

In a related story, today all living former New York Yankees managers released a joint statement saying that, contrary to popular belief, each of them had actually resigned, when they parted ways with the franchise.:rolling:rolling:rolling

Jerry

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Jerry,

I may have the unsigned contract USAC sent me on display at Ft. Wayne. It was dated August 26, 2008. I can send you a copy.The big reason I left USAC is the constant fees....Sanction, officials...on and on...I decided to take that money and put it in a car owners point fund. I dropped USAC and really am looking to better Midget Racing.

I WAS as big a USAC fan as anyone. I saw a club at Union County that listened to only a few of the 48 teams in regard to running. Thirty three teams were not invited to the vote.

Tony Barhorst
rumbleseries.com

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Tony, I had a good talk with you at Lima.You seemed very forthright and concerned with the betterment of midget racing.Good luck in all your future endeavors.:thumbThanks Denny

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Originally Posted by Kirk Spridgeon:
My question: Will Tony Stewart, whose team was ridiculed when it left UCS, be in attendance at Fort Wayne?

One thing for sure, with no USAC officials, there won't be a reenactment of the Raceway Park fiasco!! :rolling

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Will the Munchkin midgets be able to run the indoor tracks??

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Originally Posted by Kirk Spridgeon:
I will gladly skip these races, if for no other reason than the complete lack of respect Mr. Barhorst showed to the competitors at Union County. Listening to him bash the drivers and teams infuriated me about as much as anything I can remember...

My question: Will Tony Stewart, whose team was ridiculed when it left UCS, be in attendance at Fort Wayne?

I echo these thoughts 100%. I bet you won't get bashed nearly as much as I do for it.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Andrew...yes the Munckins are allowed to run. The rules will be virtually the same, however we are going to a 10 inch right rear wheel. In the past the VW powered cars were allowed to run a 12 inch right rear.

The entries will be up soon with the points payout.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Originally Posted by Tony Barhorst:

I WAS as big a USAC fan as anyone. I saw a club at Union County that listened to only a few of the 48 teams in regard to running. Thirty three teams were not invited to the vote.

Tony Barhorst
rumbleseries.com

I still think you are mistaken on this account. I was at the meeting as well as all the drivers and teams and MOST of them thought it was better to forgo this event as it was definately not safe.

And yes DON I did come all the way to Midget Week from So Cal.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

All the drivers and teams WERE NOT invited to the meeting. Nor was I OR my race director. No SAFETY TEAM spoke to me.

The remaining drivers said the track was as safe as any other they have experienced. I WILL NOT BE DEFINED on this is the reason I respond.

Mike McCormick is not brave enough to state his real name.

That is the end of my comments about Union County. I move on in a positive manner without USAC...I will build events without them.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Why the big slam bang on Tony for putting the money back into a point fund for the racers instead of sanction and other fees? Didn't we just have a post recently questioning the need for a santioning body for Indiana Sprint Week? Haven't there been other post's suggesting that someone try what Tony is willing to attempt? If the deal at Union County hadn't have happened, would you be bashing Tony for trying to help the racers out with a bigger pay-off for them instead of paying increasing sanctioning fee's? How many of you have made comments during the heat of the moment that you wish you hadn't made? I have nothing against any of the sanctioning groups, some of their events will be and probably always will be some of the best racing you could ever see, but very good racing is also very possible with the point fund format Tony is going to risk and try which will help keep the top teams coming to all the events and naming a point champion after all the events could be very appealing to some drivers and teams. Myself, no matter what the reason or what prompted this decision, I say thank you Tony for stepping up and trying to put more money in the competitors pockets, which is where it needs to go. For those of you that don't want to see someone try to return the funds and help the racers, bash away.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

How much are sanctioning fee's?

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Originally Posted by Mike McCormick:
I guess since you like to post baseless, unfounded lies, you must be Don Moore.

Your posts are showing your true character, Mr. Barhorst. The true character we all saw at Liberty when you attacked some of the best racecar drivers in the country because you failed to prepare your track correctly.

I didn't see you running up to strap your ass in one of these monsters to race on that pathetic track. Must be pretty easy to run your big mouth in your ivory tower.

Someone needs to explain to Mike the story of the pot calling the kettle black here.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Originally Posted by dirtywhiteboy:
Someone needs to explain to Mike the story of the pot calling the kettle black here.

Don't bother. His next of kin, NJDMoney, never understood it either.:action-smiley-049:

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

My recollection is the top 15 teams in points were the only ones who were allowed to vote on whether or not to race. The other 30-plus teams in attendance could not participate in the decision making process. No one from the track or promoter's staff attended the meeting to give their side of the issue.
The USAC official conducting the meeting was not in favor of racing and influenced the vote greatly.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Originally Posted by Dwight Clock:
Don't bother. His next of kin, NJDMoney, never understood it either.:action-smiley-049:

Now that you mention it, they both do sound alike and post alike.

Maybe NJDMoney was cloned?

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Originally Posted by buck2:
My recollection is the top 15 teams in points were the only ones who were allowed to vote on whether or not to race. The other 30-plus teams in attendance could not participate in the decision making process. No one from the track or promoter's staff attended the meeting to give their side of the issue.
The USAC official conducting the meeting was not in favor of racing and influenced the vote greatly.

Well that is very uncanny as the car I was there with was not in the top 15 in points and I was there too. And we got to vote.

And for the record Tony if you want to pull the sanction for the Rumble series, that is fine and your poragative. That is not what I chimed in on. But I will say I didn't agree with the way you handled the PA at Union City. Be careful with what you say (not me) but that kinda defamation can get you sued.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Good on ya Tony. If I were in your shoes,I would definitely do the same as you.

It is inconcievable that USAC held a meeting and vote at Union County without the promoter present. Tony put months of planning, promotion, and hard earned up-front dollars into this night of racing, and had it unravel in a matter of minutes before a large crowd of paying customers. It is easy to criticise him for his comments on the P.A., but he had to be steaming insde. I know I would be if it was my money at stake.

Has the responsible on-site USAC Rep. been reprimanded and docked financially for his actions at Union County? If he has'nt by now, the loss of future earnings to USAC by Tonys cancellations should put him on the sh** list for sure.

Tom

YFBAR

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Originally Posted by Beer Goggles:
1) Tony put months of planning, promotion, and hard earned up-front dollars into this night of racing, and had it unravel in a matter of minutes

2) Has the responsible on-site USAC Rep. been reprimanded and docked financially for his actions at Union County? If he has'nt by now, the loss of future earnings to USAC by Tonys cancellations should put him on the sh** list for sure.

1) Now, if he had only put some of that planning, promotion and hard earned up-front dollars into fixing the issues that he was aware of maybe he wouldn't find himself in this position. :confused:

2) The responsible USAC rep should....awww just forget it EP.....:headbang:headbang

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

:checkered::checkered:This is the best news I have heard all week USUCK out of FT.Wayne!!! Hopefully other tracks will follow suit and do the same thing! They treat people like s..t and act like they are better than everyone else! Glad to see Tony step up here and tell them to kiss it! Wish you the best Tony and you have made the right choice thats for sure!!

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

If 14 cars ran and only 15 cars where asked what they wanted to do, then why did
the other 19 cars leave? Especially since the purse was the same. Either USAC has a lot of sway or the teams had concerns themselves.

I have alot of respect for what Tony does. That is a huge gamble what he does. That said, he is trying to make a profit. He put himself in that position in U.C.

To me, the U.C. deal ultimately falls on USAC for not putting a final stamp on the show before the event. They should have followed up on the concerns they had. Although,Tony does bear a large brunt of the burden of blame as well. He should have stayed on them and made sure that there wasn't going to be a hitch. He knew all of the concerns. Trying to fix them on the day of the event probably isn't the best situation.

I didn't hear the name calling as the teams where leaving, so I can't comment. If that did happen, that was pretty harsh. If a driver doesn't feel comfortable competing at a certain event, then they shouldn't. How many stories have we heard that started out:"He wasn't real comfortable that day" or something of the like.

I think it is smart for Tony not to have USAC sanction for his events and adding to the payout always is a good deal. I personally think it isn't good for USAC to have their name on something that doesn't count toward a points championship.

Best of luck to all involved and I wish Tony a successful series and many successful promotions in the future.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

I think the Union County Saga is going to go down as something that will be talked about for years. It's kind of like a "whodoneit" tale.

As for the 15 cars leaving, as a car owner present as things were going down, I had no idea what was happening. Actually I assumed that the show was over when I saw all the big haulers leaving. That probably accounted for the 15 cars that didn't stay. They saw everybody else leave , so they left. It wasn't till I saw midgets lining up to go out on the track that I really knew that we were going to race.

This has been beat to death, but USAC had plenty of time to pull the plug before one spectator or owner paid a dime. The rest that happened was reactionary.

I never heard any names mentioned on the PA. There isn't a person on earth that hasn't said some uncomplimentary things when their back was against the wall.

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

:idea: Could the Union County Speedway fiasco be due to kharma (or karma, if you prefer)?
Unfinished work rumored to have previously involved Greg Staab, which (after USAC let him go) turned to s--t :confused:

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

This post is just for a historical background of my working with USAC.

One reason I signed with USAC was to have their 50th Anniversary celebrated and marked in Fort Wayne. As you may well know the last AAA race, and the first USAC race ever was an indoor event in Fort Wayne. I have brought in guys like Gary Bettenhausen and Tom Bigelow to celebrate USAC's storied history. I was pro USAC 24/7.

I have been pro USAC all along. That being said...times change, situations change and we move forward. Thats racing...things change fast.

The USAC of today is not the one I signed on with. I was really living in the past.
I now look to the future.

Best,
Tony Barhorst
rumbleseries.com

Re: Rumble Series Drops USAC Sanction
 

Originally Posted by Tony Barhorst:
This post is just for a historical background of my working with USAC.

One reason I signed with USAC was to have their 50th Anniversary celebrated and marked in Fort Wayne. As you may well know the last AAA race, and the first USAC race ever was an indoor event in Fort Wayne. I have brought in guys like Gary Bettenhausen and Tom Bigelow to celebrate USAC's storied history. I was pro USAC 24/7.

I have been pro USAC all along. That being said...times change, situations change and we move forward. Thats racing...things change fast.

The USAC of today is not the one I signed on with. I was really living in the past.
I now look to the future.

Best,
Tony Barhorst
rumbleseries.com

I couldn't agree with you more Tony. USAC has changed alot and none of it has been for the good. USAC use to be the premiere openwheel series in America, now it is only mentioned when people talk about Stewart or maybe Newman. Outside of that no one takes USAC seriously as a major sanctioning body.

It's sad to see what they have become.