For immediate release 4/22/10
News out of (Brazil, IN)
Earlier today I requested an interview over the phone with the president of the American Sprint Car Tour (A.S.C.T.) Mr. John Gurley. I wanted to get the inside scoop on what the recent changes were all about, and where the series is headed. After the recent rule change I thought it would be best to go public with a full statement. He was extremely candid and forth right when I asked the tough questions and he never chose to deny me an answer. We talked about everything from family, ******** to fishing and I almost forgot about the main reason I called and why I wanted this interview in the first place. I hope this helps the racers and fans alike understand why the series was created and what direction the ASCT staff is headed.
Q: First thanks for doing this today. I know it has to be getting hectic.
A: It’s gotten real busy in the last few hours to be sure.
Q: Can I get right into it?
A: You bet. Fire away.
Q: Tell me what this series is actually about?
A: I get asked this a lot, this series is about choice. It’s about having an alternative to the normal racing program. If your at the point in your career and are looking for more than just a Saturday night gig, then we have something to offer. I‘m not at all saying there is anything wrong with running your local track for points.
Q: What does the A.S.C.T. have to offer that’s different?
A: We offer a better pay-out and a more level playing field. This started out to be a Steel block only deal but the preliminary car counts just weren’t looking to be enough to sustain the full schedule and the financial gamble that was being taken. So, we opened up the engine rules to allow aluminum block cars to compete. We also imposed a weight rule of 1,425 including the driver to help compensate and even up the playing field as much as possible. This is a work in progress! If we see a change that needs to made, we’ll make it.
Q: What else could you do?
A: We are looking at injector sleeves much like the ones being used by the ASCS group to choke down the air flow. We also toyed with the idea of adding 60 lbs of lead to all the aluminum block cars, but when you do the math it really didn’t help the goal of evening up the field. I know it will never be perfect but I and others feel that by doing it this way for now it still gives racers a better deal than just racing at other race tracks that have no rule at all. They can run with us and have a better shot at a better pay-out, and compete on more level playing field. But the choice remains the racers and fans on what is best for them. In a nut shell I feel our series offers the best bang for the buck.
Q: You have taken a lot of flack recently on the internet forums for having any type of series at all? This doesn’t look like it’s going to help.
A: Well.. Yes I have, for one reason or another but I have also received a ton well wishers. As for the negative feed back I would have to say that when it comes to Indiana it’s a tough nut to crack. The one thing I can’t understand though is that most of the heat has come from the fans. Albeit a small group, but I just don’t get that. I have had very little grief from the racers but the fans can be brutal. USAC is king to some and they should be, they’ve been around forever and they have a good following and just to be clear we’re not trying to take over or steal their thunder or any other series thunder. It would be foolish for us to try or think that we could. But what we are doing is giving the racer a choice to compete for more money than their weekly deal without going against those caliber of cars on a weekly basis.
Q: Is there a reason why you didn’t get some of the high profile tracks on your schedule? I mean there is nothing wrong with the schedule that you have but I did notice some where missing.
A: We are thrilled with schedule that Jt has put together. He has been a great asset to have. To be honest I really would rather not get into the ******** of our sport. Let’s just say I’ve been educated in a hurry.
Q: Tell us about the midget series.
A: I am so excited about this deal. I tell everyone that if some one last year said to me, “John if you open up a midget series you’ll be overwhelmed with the positive feed back.” I would have told him that he was nuts. But I have to tell you that it has been huge. Much bigger than I thought that it ever would be.
Q: If you had one thing you could tell the racers or even the fans that would get them to one of your shows, what would it be?
A: Simply put. Give us a chance. I promise you will never be treated better and I don’t just mean at the pay window. Our focus is to give our patrons the best format and entertainment for their hard earned dollar that we possibly can. We know it isn’t cheap to get to the track and we want everyone to leave already planning in their heads when they are coming back to one of our shows. I also want to say that we know the A.S.C.T. not for everyone but we are, as I’ve said before, an alternative. I would also like to see more fans go down into pits after a race and ask questions about the status of the sport. If they did they might be surprised at what they learn and then begin to understand why we are so passionate about our series.
Q: You keep talking about purses? How is your payout better?
A: We focus on the middle of the pack. We don’t slap big money on top and then pay next to nothing from 5th on back. We could have saved a boat load of cash if we had, but we feel our niche is our pay off throughout the field. We also pay $100 bucks guaranteed tow at all of our shows. That means if you break in hot laps then you at least get a $100 dollars.
Q: Does this go for the midgets to?
A: Yes most definitely. I know our midget payouts aren’t huge money but we do well through the field.
Q: well it sounds like you’ve got a lot working and I hope nothing but the best for you and your group.
A: Thank you for that. You know looking at the bigger picture I guess the truth is if this deal works then fantastic and if doesn’t then all I can say is that at least we tried to do something to better the sport, but it just didn’t work out and would much rather say we tried and failed then never tried at all. Hell who knows this could be one of those, right place at the right time stories. Either way it all starts May 8th at Twin Cities in North Vernon Indiana. I would like say thank you to all my staff and a special thanks goes out to Joe Chambers for all his guidance. Thanks Joe.
Q: One more thing do you want to post the pay-outs for May 8th.
A: Sure here they are and thanks again. Oh I wanted to put this out. Keep watching because we have HUGE news coming about our September 10-11 show at Union County. We have increased our purses and you won’t believe the pay-outs. See you at the races.
MAY 8TH
SPRINTS:
$2000,1000,725,625,525,450,425,400,375,350,325,300 ,275,(14-20) 250.
MIDGETS:
$1500,625,500,450,400,350,325,300,275,250,225,(12-20)200.
There you have it. I guess now it’s up to you to decide what’s best for you as a racer and a fan. I myself am looking forward to May 8th and John showed me the payouts for the September 10th and 11th and I have never seen a payout that awesome. There will be some big decisions made that weekend I’m sure. I hope to see you all the races.
As most of you know I am the president of Finish-Line Motorsports Management and we represent the A.S.C.T. and A.M.C.T. through 2010. I feel it was important for us to sit and have this interview, then take it public today. We as a representative of the series want the public to be kept informed.
Thank You
“Big Jim” Gravelle
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