Rule Changes to Help Loyal Following
MT. ALTO, WV- The American Motor Racing Association (AMRA)is one of the longest, continuously operating sanctioning bodies of open wheel racing in the nation. The AMRA knows that the past couple years have been tough on driver participation and the ability of drivers to travel long distances. Thus, the organization has once again listened to the racer and intends to implement rule changes that make traveling more appealing to the core of the AMRA modified contingent.
Among the rule changes are: 1) the re-implementation of tire changes in Road Warrior Challenge features; 2) RWT provisional’s; 3) increasing the number of cars that start; 4) and an incentive program that will help tracks run Road Warrior programs that are regularly established, weekly AMRA member tracks. Additionally, another rules clarification has been concerning roof measurements.
The development of other rule changes may follow, pending further review.
“For every action, there is a reaction,” said Director of Racing Operations for the AMRA, Scott Wolfe. “We don’t want to re-invent the wheel, but at the same time we don’t want to make wholesale changes that have consequences down the road. We took some time to analyze where we were as an organization and took a long look at where we were going.”
“We saw a need to showcase our Road Warrior Challenge and we saw a need to help the racers that support the Road Warrior Challenge races,” said Wolfe. “At the same time, we didn’t want to take anything away from the core of a great group of racers that race at our tracks each and every week.”
The changes for Road Warrior Challenge races only follow:
1) At AMRA Road Warrior Challenge feature races, competitors will have the opportunity to change a flat tire in a designated work area. Racers will be given the greater of two (2) courtesy laps or two (2) minutes to change the tire. Drivers must go directly to the work area. Drivers cannot bypass the work area, and upon entry to the work area, the tire must be flat. Failure to go to the work area will result in forfeiting the right to re-enter the race. This rule is for Road Warrior feature events only.
2) Up to two provisional starters, hereby referred to as Provisional’s, may be added to Road Warrior Challenge tour events. The AMRA reserves the right to add the highest RWT point man--who did not race his way into the RWT feature --to the feature line-up. If all RWT drivers present make the feature, then the highest AMRA National Points in attendance WILL be added to the line-up.
In the event neither of the above is met, then the AMRA reserves the right to add a driver of their choice. Drivers must attempt to run a B-main, or if applicable a heat and a B-main. An attempt will be deemed as “taking the green flag”. Drivers believed to be sandbagging and not in good faith attempting to “race their way into a feature”, may be ineligible for the provisional.
The second of the Provisional’s will be reserved for the Track/Promoter’s Provisional. The track/promoter MAY reserve the right to place whomever they feel is deserving of the honor-- based upon criteria established by each individual track. The AMRA recommends the track high-point man or former track champion; however, the AMRA will not establish further restrictions upon this choice. The track Promoter’s choice will be final. The track promoter provisional is OPTIONAL.
3) The minimum number of cars in the starting line-up will be 18 plus at least one, aforementioned Provisional, which will raise the minimum car count to at least 19. There will be no maximum number of cars established, excepting the fact that the safety, and size of the track will be considered. The AMRA and track promoter will negotiate additional starting slots beyond 19 per each individual track. If the promoter chooses to use a track provisional the minimum starting line-up will be 20 cars.
4) Tires –Beginning June 10, 2011 the Hoosier M100 tire will be legal at ALL AMRA Road Warrior Events, and also at ALL PARTICIPATING AMRA tracks running weekly shows.
Current, AMRA Hoosier Tires must read MEDIUM; MED 200’s will not be tolerated. If tire does not spell out MEDIUM you will be disqualified. Only tires which are recognized as approved by AMRA are allowed. Hoosier Racing Tires 2 ply E-Mod 26.0 & 26.5 & 27.5 x 8.0-15 in soft, medium & hard compounds and 26.5 & 27.5x8-15 in the A40, D40 & H40 compounds are the only legal sizes and com-pounds allowed. Now the M100’s are legal beginning June 10. 2011.
5) AMRA Road Warrior Challenge race track incentives have been established to better promote the AMRA signature “Road Warrior” name brand. The established incentive will give race tracks, and the AMRA increased incentive to “Promote” AMRA Road Warrior Challenge races, and the opportunity to promote “higher” car counts.
(Currently, the AMRA RWT entry fee will remain at $25 to help cover travel, promotional, and tech costs associated with putting on a RWT event)
The incentive package will allow tracks to bank a portion of the entry fee’s collected; more specifically each track will have $25 deposited in an account for each car over 20—more clearly defined as each track will deposit into the AMRA account $25 for car totals of 21 through 100. For example, if 35 cars were at an event , the AMRA would bank $25 for the first 20 cars and the track would deposit $25 in the account for cars 21 through 35 or 15 cars multiplied by $25 = $375. If there were, for instance 35 cars at each RWT event, and the sanction ran 10 RWT races at six sanctioned tracks, then the total pot would be $3750 divided by six sanctioning tracks equals $625. In this scenario each RWT track would receive $625 at the end of the season. (The amount in the pot will be dependent on the number of cars exceeding the 20-car minimum at each race, the number of AMRA tracks participating in RWT events, and the number of RWT races.)
6) In clarifying roof shape, all roofs must be Flat. Flat will be defined as equilaterally flat from left to right with a 1/2 inch tolerance from the outermost point of each side. There will be no bowed or dished roofs. The outmost point of each side will be determined as measuring the flat part of the roof from left to right. “Turn downs” are not to be considered the flat part of the roof and should “turn down” at a 90 degree angle with a 10 degree tolerance. Turn downs, mainly used for support, appearance, or duplication of the old UMP convex roof style, can be no wider that two (2) inches at the widest point, and cannot extend above the flat part of the roof.
All roofs must have less-than or equal to a 2" variation of tolerance from front to back with a convex or completely flat shape. The 2" of tolerance will be measured from the midpoint to the front, and from the midpoint to the back of the roof. (This allows for older-style fiberglass roofs or self-made aluminum roofs made to the fiberglass specs where the apex/highest point of the roof is the center).
Another format change concerning a Road Warrior dash may be implemented this season, pending further discussion.
AMRA President Larry Keefer said, “We hope that increasing the number of starting slots, adding the provisional’s, and allowing a driver that ‘experiences some bad luck’ the chance to change a tire, will increase car counts. Ultimately, more drivers can afford to participate if more drivers can make the show.”
“We also think the track incentive will give a promoter some incentive to get more cars at his track and give promoter’s a chance to boost their purse or add the incentive money to their modified point fund. Also, it allows a promoter that is taking the chance on an increased purse, to continue sanctioning AMRA RWT races. This should be a good deal for all involved, especially the racer who will have the chance to race at more, higher-paying RWT events.”
“Finally, I would like to discuss the roof rule,” said Keefer. “Our racers have cooperated with our tech people this year very well. Our tech people have done a wonderful job keeping the rules enforced and working with drivers to get their cars right. The roof rule has worked well, but we needed to tweak the rule and clarify just what gets measured. Simply, it is the flat part of the roof. “
“Our inspectors are anxious to get it right. And our drivers are anxious to get it right. Let’s race and have a great 2011 racing season.”
"We are taking a long look at shocks for 2012," said Director Wolfe Right now we have about 1/2 for steel shocks and 1/2 for having an open shock rule. If you have feedback, please e-mail us at the address below. Also, drivers should send their feedback concerning restrictor plates or submit other cost-saving ideas."
Bonus points, distribution of AMRA RWT points, entry fees, shocks, engine restrictions, overall racing costs, and tires were also discussed more in-depth at the most recent AMRA board meeting. Also, the board is working on securing a nationally recognized sponsor for the Road Warrior Challenge tour. Negotiations are ongoing at the present time. All driver feedback and promoter feedback is appreciated and should be sent to both the AMRA office at lk63@frontiernet.net and Wolfe at swolfe1490@suddenlink.net
MT. ALTO, WV- The American Motor Racing Association (AMRA)is one of the longest, continuously operating sanctioning bodies of open wheel racing in the nation. The AMRA knows that the past couple years have been tough on driver participation and the ability of drivers to travel long distances. Thus, the organization has once again listened to the racer and intends to implement rule changes that make traveling more appealing to the core of the AMRA modified contingent.
Among the rule changes are: 1) the re-implementation of tire changes in Road Warrior Challenge features; 2) RWT provisional’s; 3) increasing the number of cars that start; 4) and an incentive program that will help tracks run Road Warrior programs that are regularly established, weekly AMRA member tracks. Additionally, another rules clarification has been concerning roof measurements.
The development of other rule changes may follow, pending further review.
“For every action, there is a reaction,” said Director of Racing Operations for the AMRA, Scott Wolfe. “We don’t want to re-invent the wheel, but at the same time we don’t want to make wholesale changes that have consequences down the road. We took some time to analyze where we were as an organization and took a long look at where we were going.”
“We saw a need to showcase our Road Warrior Challenge and we saw a need to help the racers that support the Road Warrior Challenge races,” said Wolfe. “At the same time, we didn’t want to take anything away from the core of a great group of racers that race at our tracks each and every week.”
The changes for Road Warrior Challenge races only follow:
1) At AMRA Road Warrior Challenge feature races, competitors will have the opportunity to change a flat tire in a designated work area. Racers will be given the greater of two (2) courtesy laps or two (2) minutes to change the tire. Drivers must go directly to the work area. Drivers cannot bypass the work area, and upon entry to the work area, the tire must be flat. Failure to go to the work area will result in forfeiting the right to re-enter the race. This rule is for Road Warrior feature events only.
2) Up to two provisional starters, hereby referred to as Provisional’s, may be added to Road Warrior Challenge tour events. The AMRA reserves the right to add the highest RWT point man--who did not race his way into the RWT feature --to the feature line-up. If all RWT drivers present make the feature, then the highest AMRA National Points in attendance WILL be added to the line-up.
In the event neither of the above is met, then the AMRA reserves the right to add a driver of their choice. Drivers must attempt to run a B-main, or if applicable a heat and a B-main. An attempt will be deemed as “taking the green flag”. Drivers believed to be sandbagging and not in good faith attempting to “race their way into a feature”, may be ineligible for the provisional.
The second of the Provisional’s will be reserved for the Track/Promoter’s Provisional. The track/promoter MAY reserve the right to place whomever they feel is deserving of the honor-- based upon criteria established by each individual track. The AMRA recommends the track high-point man or former track champion; however, the AMRA will not establish further restrictions upon this choice. The track Promoter’s choice will be final. The track promoter provisional is OPTIONAL.
3) The minimum number of cars in the starting line-up will be 18 plus at least one, aforementioned Provisional, which will raise the minimum car count to at least 19. There will be no maximum number of cars established, excepting the fact that the safety, and size of the track will be considered. The AMRA and track promoter will negotiate additional starting slots beyond 19 per each individual track. If the promoter chooses to use a track provisional the minimum starting line-up will be 20 cars.
4) Tires –Beginning June 10, 2011 the Hoosier M100 tire will be legal at ALL AMRA Road Warrior Events, and also at ALL PARTICIPATING AMRA tracks running weekly shows.
Current, AMRA Hoosier Tires must read MEDIUM; MED 200’s will not be tolerated. If tire does not spell out MEDIUM you will be disqualified. Only tires which are recognized as approved by AMRA are allowed. Hoosier Racing Tires 2 ply E-Mod 26.0 & 26.5 & 27.5 x 8.0-15 in soft, medium & hard compounds and 26.5 & 27.5x8-15 in the A40, D40 & H40 compounds are the only legal sizes and com-pounds allowed. Now the M100’s are legal beginning June 10. 2011.
5) AMRA Road Warrior Challenge race track incentives have been established to better promote the AMRA signature “Road Warrior” name brand. The established incentive will give race tracks, and the AMRA increased incentive to “Promote” AMRA Road Warrior Challenge races, and the opportunity to promote “higher” car counts.
(Currently, the AMRA RWT entry fee will remain at $25 to help cover travel, promotional, and tech costs associated with putting on a RWT event)
The incentive package will allow tracks to bank a portion of the entry fee’s collected; more specifically each track will have $25 deposited in an account for each car over 20—more clearly defined as each track will deposit into the AMRA account $25 for car totals of 21 through 100. For example, if 35 cars were at an event , the AMRA would bank $25 for the first 20 cars and the track would deposit $25 in the account for cars 21 through 35 or 15 cars multiplied by $25 = $375. If there were, for instance 35 cars at each RWT event, and the sanction ran 10 RWT races at six sanctioned tracks, then the total pot would be $3750 divided by six sanctioning tracks equals $625. In this scenario each RWT track would receive $625 at the end of the season. (The amount in the pot will be dependent on the number of cars exceeding the 20-car minimum at each race, the number of AMRA tracks participating in RWT events, and the number of RWT races.)
6) In clarifying roof shape, all roofs must be Flat. Flat will be defined as equilaterally flat from left to right with a 1/2 inch tolerance from the outermost point of each side. There will be no bowed or dished roofs. The outmost point of each side will be determined as measuring the flat part of the roof from left to right. “Turn downs” are not to be considered the flat part of the roof and should “turn down” at a 90 degree angle with a 10 degree tolerance. Turn downs, mainly used for support, appearance, or duplication of the old UMP convex roof style, can be no wider that two (2) inches at the widest point, and cannot extend above the flat part of the roof.
All roofs must have less-than or equal to a 2" variation of tolerance from front to back with a convex or completely flat shape. The 2" of tolerance will be measured from the midpoint to the front, and from the midpoint to the back of the roof. (This allows for older-style fiberglass roofs or self-made aluminum roofs made to the fiberglass specs where the apex/highest point of the roof is the center).
Another format change concerning a Road Warrior dash may be implemented this season, pending further discussion.
AMRA President Larry Keefer said, “We hope that increasing the number of starting slots, adding the provisional’s, and allowing a driver that ‘experiences some bad luck’ the chance to change a tire, will increase car counts. Ultimately, more drivers can afford to participate if more drivers can make the show.”
“We also think the track incentive will give a promoter some incentive to get more cars at his track and give promoter’s a chance to boost their purse or add the incentive money to their modified point fund. Also, it allows a promoter that is taking the chance on an increased purse, to continue sanctioning AMRA RWT races. This should be a good deal for all involved, especially the racer who will have the chance to race at more, higher-paying RWT events.”
“Finally, I would like to discuss the roof rule,” said Keefer. “Our racers have cooperated with our tech people this year very well. Our tech people have done a wonderful job keeping the rules enforced and working with drivers to get their cars right. The roof rule has worked well, but we needed to tweak the rule and clarify just what gets measured. Simply, it is the flat part of the roof. “
“Our inspectors are anxious to get it right. And our drivers are anxious to get it right. Let’s race and have a great 2011 racing season.”
"We are taking a long look at shocks for 2012," said Director Wolfe Right now we have about 1/2 for steel shocks and 1/2 for having an open shock rule. If you have feedback, please e-mail us at the address below. Also, drivers should send their feedback concerning restrictor plates or submit other cost-saving ideas."
Bonus points, distribution of AMRA RWT points, entry fees, shocks, engine restrictions, overall racing costs, and tires were also discussed more in-depth at the most recent AMRA board meeting. Also, the board is working on securing a nationally recognized sponsor for the Road Warrior Challenge tour. Negotiations are ongoing at the present time. All driver feedback and promoter feedback is appreciated and should be sent to both the AMRA office at lk63@frontiernet.net and Wolfe at swolfe1490@suddenlink.net
