IRA PRESEASON NEWSLETTER
3/25/08
Greetings,
The 2008 edition of the IRA Outlaw Sprints will
mark the 49th year for the Interstate Racing Association. Motorsports have
certainly changed over the years, some for the good, some not. However 49 years
is a long time, and I'm proud to have been involved with IRA in some form
for the past 20.
IRA has thrived the past several
years, raising the bar in different ways. While we move into the
2008 season we realize the challenges the current economy offers, and we will
do what is necessary for IRA to celebrate its' 50th year next season. We are
extremely fortunate to be in the position we are in regarding sponsorship, and
having multi-year deals in place. We are prepared to make changes,
or adjustments in the way we do things if the economy forces us to.
However it is my goal to keep IRA at the top, and realizing we have to be
pro-active is first and foremost.
IRA has paid out the highest purses, paid
the biggest point fund, has the best contingency program, has possibly the only
tow package, provides its' racers with best insurance
program the industry has to offer, created a unique rebate program
with it's tire rule, has the only traveling safety team, etc, etc... in all of upper-Midwest short track racing. This
is all done in an effort to provide for and reward our member and event
supporting teams.
With the instability of the economy and
the realization of higher fuel costs, IRA moves into the 2008 season with
high hopes, but also with the knowledge it has to be prepared
to adjust. I'm very pleased with the schedule we put in place, and for
the majority of our teams the first half in particular. We'll keep
evaluating the situation and will prepare ourselves to preferably have
ways to help increase the tow incentive on certain trips the second half of the
season where the bulk of our traveling appears, or worse case adjust the
schedule need be. Everyone enjoys our Masters weekend at
What I think is of extreme importance is that
we get support in our base market, whether teams be IRA regulars or not. The
cost of an IRA show far exceeds those of all the other weekly
sprint races in this area. What we pay out in Fast Time money
is greater than the entire post season awards of our competition in this
market. This is not meant to be negative towards anyone else, but stress the
fact that reality has our group running with all the above mentioned
benefits, while others run for less than we ran for in the 80's. There can be
as many as 5 sprint car races in our market in a given weekend now, and we need
to continue to demonstrate to everyone why we are the best. Values are set, and
ours is high and I truly hope IRA can race into its' next 50 years at or
more than its' current value. Nearly everything around us is racing for less
than it was a few years ago, and those who chose that direction have
established their value and it will be extremely difficult to ever get
those raised significantly, particularly if this area continues to be
over-saturated.
I am currently working on adding some new
sponsors, with much everything else in place regarding point fund, etc... all new monies will be aimed at increasing tow incentives
for our traveling teams. In the same token, we are the only group in this area
that (I'm aware) offers such a program, and being on it is a privilege and
something that is rewarded for supporting the series, not an event, but the
series. I want new teams to know that they too can be part of our many
benefits and that they are welcome. Such programs are available to them too,
once they demonstrate their loyalty to the series. It's a reality in
all of racing, that for anything to continue, new teams need to replace those
that are no longer there. There is a terrible mis-perception
that all our teams are running $40,000 engines, when in reality most aren't
spending much (if any) more than the non-IRA teams, 360 or otherwise. All
other parts of the car, and in the near future tires too, cost the same. As a
matter of fact because of our tire deal being as strong as it is and our
unique rebate program, IRA supporting teams will be paying less for a RR than
the others. I'm just trying to bury the huge cost misconception,
as it's not nearly as different as some want to
believe.
We have 2/3 of our schedule contested at events
that are within the markets of the majority of our base teams. Add in trips
like the Masters, and The Richert at
We haven't forgotten about our teams to the NW either
as we're near them multiple weekends, or have other combination shows available
to them which make a 75% schedule goal for those teams a
reality too.
Our schedule is as follows, again remember we are not
the only group, series, or track that economy may effect. We will absolutely do
what we can or have to in order to provide our supporters the quality
event they are used to from IRA. Please note, we are asking that teams be
present opening day by 1:30 if at all possible so we can have a meeting prior
to going trackside, just like we did last year. Both April Dodge
Sat 4/19 Dodge Co Fairgrounds WI
Sat 4/26 Dodge Co Fairgrounds WI
Sat 5/3
Fri 5/9 34
Raceway, W.
Sat 5/10
Fri 5/16 Shawano
Speedway WI
Sat 5/17 Wilmot
Sat 5/31
Fri 6/6 Dodge Co
Fairgrounds WI
Sat 6/7
Fri 6/13
Sat 6/14
Sat 6/28 Sheboygan Co
Sat 7/5 Wilmot
Sat 7/12
--------------------------------------------------------------
Fri 7/18 Hancock Co Fair IA
Sat 7/19 Deer Creek
Sat 7/26
Sun 7/27
Fri 8/15 Wilmot
Sat 8/16 Langlade Co
Fri 8/22 Red Cedar
Sat 8/23
Fri 8/29 LaFayette
Co
Sat 8/30 ?? (LaSalle) IL
Sun 8/31
Fri 9/6 Superior
Sat 9/7
Sat 9/13 Dodge Co
Fairgrounds WI
Sat 9/20
Sat 9/27
That's 31 race dates potentially, with 5-6 trips involved. I
believe from a trip standpoint we've made them make more sense, plus a few are
tradition now. Adding 34 Raceway definitely helps the Knoxville trip,
Britt & Deer Creek work great together as both just south off I-90 and 99%
of cars are IRA, Arlington & Jim Falls seemed to go well together last year
with Eagle Valley getting good reviews from most everyone.
**** From an IRA point standpoint, we are off Memorial
Weekend 5/24, June 21 Weekend, & the first 2 weekends in August. This was
done purposely to give our teams some down time, and allow them to compete with
WoO or
We had a few unhappy with our voting procedures
on eliminating the cockpit adjustability of the suspension. Bottom line, you
have to vote and we're given over a month to do so. Two newsletters and website
updates made mention of the proposed rule. I have to go with what votes we
received, and based on that it was an obvious decision, so that's the
way it is for 08.
We have received a motion at our last meeting
regarding making the rule we simply run mufflers all the time. Though the
motion was made at our last meeting, which is a time I prefer we have those
type decisions completed, plus we're in the process of moving forward with
our rulebook, IF it is overwhelmingly pushed that way we
may adopt that motion as it would be apparent that's what our teams
want. Currently we have rec'd less than half the votes, though we have
recorded those from the meeting and have received a few calls since. It is
quite close as of now. Personally in a year in which we have so much
competition, I'd like us to stay open (if vote allows) at Dodge,
and our 2 Cedar
We have several bonus programs in place
including one from Rislone regarding a $200 bonus for
winning an A and having the decal and proof of purchase of their product.
Several others too we'll announce at our opening day meeting.
We have remained associated with ASA and thru
them we have a hotel discount at Super 8, Amerihost,
Baymont, Days Inn, Howard Johnson's, Travelodge, Knights
Inn, Ramada, Travelodge, & Wingate. Our corporate ASA code is 1000002805.
Howie Gleason will be picking up a load of
tires within 10 days or so of Opening Night. We need to prepare ourselves
in advance on a few weekends as the cost of the tire truck running down the
road has gone up too. There may be a few weekends you need to buy in advance,
or order in advance and the tires be brought up via an IRA truck or trailer.
IRA too is being forced to look at going down the road with less trailers on a few nights. We are all extremely lucky to
have had Howie's support all these years.
We're extremely pleased to have Gil, Donna,
& crew back again for another year. Their presence certainly helps IRA
events stand out from the rest.
Please keep an eye on our website for upcoming
announcements, etc... hopefully Mother Nature will
turn the heat on some so we can open on time.
Please do NOT forget to get your memberships in, they
need to be in Dick's hands by April 1, or the cost will go up. Please do not
delay, our series operates on those funds and we too need to prepare.
I wish everyone the best of luck and look
forward to yet another successful season. I sincerely hope everyone
prospers, and that we remember this is supposed to be FUN.
Thank you and feel free to contact me with any
thoughts, ideas, concerns, etc....
Don't forget to help us get our many time IRA Champ Joe Roe into the National Sprint Car
Hall of Fame. He deserves it. Pick up the phone,
shoot the National Sprint car Hall of Fame an e-mail, direct towards Tom Schmeh.
The earth-shaking, ground pounding, 800
plus horsepower thunder of the IRA Outlaw Sprints take to the big Dodge
County Fairgrounds half-mile, Saturday April 19th. Come see the
upper-Midwest's premier high speed thrill show. The IRA Outlaw 410
Sprints at Beaver Dam's Horsepower Half-mile.
It's Be Fast, or Be Last............
See ya there, and bring a
friend.
Steve