I love it, whenever Don doesn't like a post he accuses the poster of being "off topic". Was my grammar correct?

Seriously, we didn't. I'll take the $200 per team any day if they don't run the feature. We had 3 people including myself looking after 2 race cars and we didn't have a minute to spare. Despite what you have been reading on here, the program moved along swiftly and we were scrambling to make sure the cars performed correctly. The storm came quickly and by the time it was over, almost all the teams and personnel had left. We were one of the last three teams to leave the grounds and the place was a ghost town at that point.

Even though I read this message board every day (except when I’m off racing), it’s not often I post here. Honestly, it’s not that often that I feel compelled to comment on anything that happens on here. But with the constant trashing of John Gurley and the ASCT, I’ve finally had enough.
For the purpose of full disclosure, I will say I’ve known John for over 25 years. And even though we haven’t spent a lot of time together in the last ten years, I still consider him a friend. And he doesn’t know I’m writing this
I’ve run with a lot of different organizations over the years. And every one has their own struggles starting out. I was amazed by the people that were trashing this group before they even ran their first race. Yes, John said a few things he shouldn’t of (such as stating that they would never run aluminum blocks), but that is the mistakes a new promoter will make. I think any veteran promoter will tell you to never say never.
John’s premise is sound. He is trying to bring a well paying traveling series to the budget racer. Will he succeed? Time will tell. There is room for this series. I stopped running dirt as much because I felt there just wasn’t anywhere a budget racer could even almost break even.
But don’t bash him for trying. Yes, if his check bounces or he ties your girlfriend to railroad tracks, by all means, scream it from the roof tops. But don’t trash him publically just because you don’t agree with a decision he made. Especially if you weren’t at the race. If you disagree with him, call him up (he has published his number on this board) or talk calmly to him at the track. He will listen.
In the interest of equal time, I have some suggestions for John.

1. If you are renting the track (and maybe even if your not), and I know this is easier said then done, don’t walk into the track grounds with out the purse in your pocket. Nothing will piss a racer off more then getting short changed at the pay window. But I will give you credit at Montpelier. At least you told the midgets before the feature. A lot better then finding out at the pay window. I’ve had that happen, it’s not fun.
2. Think about what you say before you say it. Think about what it will mean next week…… or next year. This also goes for what you write. But you are a lot better about this now then you were six months ago.
3. Allow the DT-3 the rest of the year. You might pick up some cars if they don’t have to buy a tire just to run with you. I know it would make a difference to me. Come up with an equivalent rule for the midgets.

I also think that there are some people that don’t like John or his series because Don Moore likes it. A few of you would say the earth was flat if Don said it was round………get over it!
But again, in the interest of equal time, here’s a couple for you Don. Please remember I really respect you as a car owner. You have had some of the best drivers in the business drive for you. Geoff Kiser is one of the best kept secrets in racing……. especially on pavement. And you have had more success using less money then 90% of the owners out there.
1. You don’t like Hoosier Tires. We all know. Complaining about them on a message board will get you no where.
2. Just because someone disagrees with you, it doesn’t mean they are off topic. Technically my whole post is off topic because this is supposed to be about results from Montpelier. But I feel it is relevant.
3. We all make grammar errors. I’m sure there are a few in here. This is a message board, not an English quiz. Please note that I have an Engineering degree from Purdue. I may not be able to spell, but I bet I could beat you on a calculus exam!

Don, this is constructive criticism and I hope you take it that way. I really do respect you.
All of you that made though this whole post, thank you and I welcome your comments

Tom Paterson
Sprint car owner and driver.

Greg,
Pits were $30 Grandstand $15

---------- Post added at 12:01 AM ---------- Previous post was Yesterday at 11:53 PM ----------

Hey Mr PerFect Don, LOl hope you like my grammer...For a music professional like you are, please do all of us fans a favor and NOT messup the national anthem the next time you sing it at a race!!!!, aka Ft Wayne indoor show.. Wait, maybe you havent heard that song that much, because it is one thats barely played at a sporting event and hardly any musical people probably know that song....

Tom this is a fair post and probably one of the best damn one's I have read in a long time on here. All very well put. Please everyone take notice and cool off. I'll see if I can get Harrold to put up a boxing ring for next sat. at the track. Ha! Ha!

Jeff Sweat

Meanwhile... at the Hall of Justice....

Getting back to Montpelier was a special treat for me. I had been their announcer in 2008 when a rookie promoter lost his shirt trying to run that track. He fought the weather, as Harold Hunter has. He saw his feeder classes dwindle to a mere handful when the economy tanked. He suffered through theiving neighbors who broke into the track and siphoned his trucks' fuel, smashed windows, stole PA equipment ... he almost destroyed his marriage over that track and had to walk away - many, many thousands of dollars poorer than when he went in.

Harold Hunter and crew have a done a masterful job breathing new life back into a Hoosier racing treasure. The crowds could be better and the neighbors still climb the fences to steal stuff but he has soldiered on. I congratulate the entire Montpelier team for all their hard work.

I want to thank the ASCT and Montpelier for allowing me to announce that night.... and on to the pictures...

The whole collection is here:
http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/b...lier%206-4-10/




The fire truck had been sitting on the property for years. The Hunter team had it running to help mud up the track... well... almost working.



Aric Gentry and family made the trip.


In this age of pristine gravel and and concrete pads there is just something calming about a couple of racers under the trees.


Kurt Mayhew

The more I thought about this the more I've come to the conclusion that our local sprint car scene isn't nearly as strong as we think it is....

Gas City - 21 (May 28) - The only full feature that wasn't a "Special Show"

Kokomo - 13 (May 30)
Lawrenceburg 18 - (June 5)
Putnamville - 11 (June 5)
Montpelier 13 (June 4)

I don't think drivers are not wanting to support this series or other tracks, maybe they can't! Maybe, we do need a cost containment series. Car counts are starting to certainly indicate that. I was a little upset they didn't have the next heat ready to push off immediatedly, but that is small in the grand scheme of things. I doubt Gurley has taken anyone's money. I'd imagine we'd be shocked at the amount he has lost attempting to get this off of the ground. I think he is on the right track, he's just taking some hard lumps right now.

Could this track play a role in the rebirth of a midget series? The drivers/teams certaintly supported the track and series on Friday, and I appreciate that as fan. I would like to see midgets more than one week out of the year.

And to Don Moore, thanks for bringing two midgets to come compete at the track and allowing two drivers with only their helment bag a shot at wheeling midgets without it being a rent a ride. In this day and age, not many owners are able to do this. Unfortunately, not everyone sees your passion for midget racing and mistakes it for something else.

By the way, had the weather held off what a race the midgets would have been with Beauchamp, Heydenreich, Westfall, Roberts, and Kaiser grinding it out.

I was one of the 13 sprint cars on hand Friday night. Someone asked for our take on things. I just want to say this: I have raced with 3 or 4 different clubs over my 12 year sprint career. The ASCT is going through some growing pains. Yes, the pay was cut, BUT, it was announced BEFORE the main event. We were offered $100 even if we chose to load up. I think it was ME who suggested that we cut the feature to 15 laps since there were only 13 cars and the pay was being cut.

As for the feature, they ran more than 8 laps. We got at least 2 or 3 in before the caution. Then, we restarted (and probably shouldn't have) but I was all over the track and almost got into the 82 car when trying to pass. I chose to pull off. We had to be on lap 5 or 6 by the time I pulled in and I sat in the infield and watched several more laps run by the remaining cars. They may not have made it to 15, but it sure seemed to me like they ran a lot more than 8!

I'm tired of hearing people whine. I race because I have fun doing it. Gurley was honest with me up front, paid the best he could, and I appreciate that. My MC3 still looks GREAT for race #3 now. This series is still better for me than running my local winged track where we have to have 2 Junkyears on the rear that cost 200 each.

I will be back with the ASCT as soon as I can once again. If I had more help and a better towing situation, I'd support all their shows.