Class Nationals event planning

[Michael Beard]

Thank you all for the support and spirited discussion. I've discovered that a lot more people read ClassRacer than ever post, but I think a public display of support means a lot, not only to let other racers know how much interest is there, but also sponsors. The interest and discussion regarding the event ramped up dramatically during this week's IMIS show at Indy, amongst racers and sponsors alike.

As I had addressed earlier in the thread, I've been researching this event for many years now. Any event we put together is going to fit some people's geographic location, finances, scheduling, etc, and not others. It is an impossibility to be all things to all people. What I can promise you is that we will try to put together the best event that we can, in the hopes of satisfying a wide array of customers. We've heard a wide variety of suggestions on facilities: some of which have issues with geography, some with scheduling, some with prohibitive rental costs, etc. Each variable must be weighed on a scale.

I mentioned it earlier in this thread, my selection at this time is National Trail Raceway in Hebron, OH, for May 3-4, 2014. I received a set of quotes on Oct 29, which were reasonable for the facility. I spoke with a number of the staff at IMIS this weekend, who were all excited about the prospects. We will discuss the viability of the date and finalize projected rental costs etc. If we run into problems with scheduling or costs, I may revisit facility options, but if these things remain acceptable, I would seek to move forward.

Given the level of participation at similar events, it would be unlikely that the event could stand completely on its own, unless we had another 'Woodstock' moment like the US Class Nationals. My plan would be to do two $5,000-to-win No-Box races in addition to the Stock & Super Stock races to 1) fill another existing market gap 2) provide S/SS racers with the opportunity to run multiple events if they choose and ultimately 3) bolster the bottom line and viability of the event as a whole.

Rough outline: Subject to change.

Northern Class Nationals & Bottom Bulb Shootout
National Trail Raceway
Hebron, OH - May 3-4, 2014

Friday
Parking & Tech
(If the track wishes to do a test n' tune and/or gambler's race, up to them)

Saturday
No-Box Time Trials and S/SS Qualifying
Class Eliminations (Stock and Super Stock, each)
No-Box Race #1 Eliminations
S/SS Clean-Up Run

Sunday
No-Box Race #2 Eliminations
Stock Eliminations
Super Stock Eliminations


Class Winners will receive Iron Tree trophies. I will work on potential contingency sponsors.




Stock or Super Stock (separate classes, same entry/purse)
Entry Fee: $260
Win: $5,000
R/U: $2,000
Semi: $500
5th Rnd Loser: $300
4th Rnd Loser: $250
3rd Rnd Loser: $200
With 129 or more cars in a class, that class would receive $7,000/win, $3,000/RU, $1,000 semi. (Round money as listed)
I will work on contingency sponsors for the main event.

No-Box (2 races: 1 Sat, 1 Sun. S/SS cars welcome.)
Footbrake and Transbrake cars will be called separately
Entry Fee: $90
Re-Entry: $50 (1st Rnd Only)
Win: $5,000
R/U: $1,000
Semi: $300
6th Rnd Loser: $160
5th Rnd Loser: $120
4th Rnd Loser: $80

All winners will receive Iron Tree trophies, "Big Checks", and collectors trading cards of their winning rides. (Examples from one of our past Footbrake races)





Other random tidbits: Redman is on board. While we haven't talked about it yet, I'll collar Nitro Joe, and I will talk to Travis, Wesley, et.al. for potential Tech positions to provide some credibility and a knowledgable eye. The plan would be to have scales, fuel check, and heads-up runs. I am working on fine-tuning plans for class structures (NHRA/IHRA), but at first glance, I can safely say we run off of the old NHRA indexes, and I would plan to have "new cars" in their own classes.