Am I Surprised?
As I sit here reminiscing about my many trips to Lima, I took a look at my expenses, and using the new fuel prices, guess what I found? That's right, a huge increase. A trip to Anderson you say? At 12 to 13 miles per gallon it would cost over $600 in fuel alone. So is anyone surprised that car counts are down and people are getting out or not racing? The big topic on the web site is the "big money race". When you are spending double plus just to get to work and back plus costs rising everywhere else, how can you justify the expense? Now, we are not alone. When I speak to friends in other forms of motorsports, I hear the same thing. My point to this is that now is the time to get divisional racing started. This would go a long way to keep people racing and help keep expenses down. While this is not a new idea, it just might be the one thing that keeps mud racing viable in these harsh economic times.
On another note, I have been watching how the MRA has dealt with the first few events, and while some mistakes have been made, some simple communication could keep the naysayers at bay. With so many people watching, it is very important to do what you say and say what you mean.
The last thing I want to address concerns rules enforcement. I have heard rumors that both the NMRO as well as the MRA have not really been enforcing the rules at the first couple of races, and I am concerned for the future. While I fully realize that the MRA is a new deal, the one thing it cannot afford is any missteps here. As of right now there are no regulations on what constitutes cheating, what the penalties are for these infractions, will there be a protest procedure, and who will be responsible for tech inspection. I would be happy to help in the tech inspection at the races I go to, but if the inspector finds things wrong and his authority is underminded by promotors, then how is this gonna work? Any legitimate racing organization has its own police to keep things fair. If the MRA is really serious about legitimacy then this must happen, and fast. With so many racers being willing to help, having divisional tech inspectors would take the load off promoters and reps and allow them to do their jobs more effectively. No mud racing will ever be taken seriously until this organization has some very serious teeth and the willingness to use them! My fear is that since the rules were written to try to please everyone, rules enforcement will go the same way. Time as always will be the judge, but you can bet I will be watching.
That's all for now.
On another note, I have been watching how the MRA has dealt with the first few events, and while some mistakes have been made, some simple communication could keep the naysayers at bay. With so many people watching, it is very important to do what you say and say what you mean.
The last thing I want to address concerns rules enforcement. I have heard rumors that both the NMRO as well as the MRA have not really been enforcing the rules at the first couple of races, and I am concerned for the future. While I fully realize that the MRA is a new deal, the one thing it cannot afford is any missteps here. As of right now there are no regulations on what constitutes cheating, what the penalties are for these infractions, will there be a protest procedure, and who will be responsible for tech inspection. I would be happy to help in the tech inspection at the races I go to, but if the inspector finds things wrong and his authority is underminded by promotors, then how is this gonna work? Any legitimate racing organization has its own police to keep things fair. If the MRA is really serious about legitimacy then this must happen, and fast. With so many racers being willing to help, having divisional tech inspectors would take the load off promoters and reps and allow them to do their jobs more effectively. No mud racing will ever be taken seriously until this organization has some very serious teeth and the willingness to use them! My fear is that since the rules were written to try to please everyone, rules enforcement will go the same way. Time as always will be the judge, but you can bet I will be watching.
That's all for now.
posted by Mean Streak Mud Racing at 3:16 PM
3 Comments:
Mean streak
As always your comments are interesting and provoke some though. Just to clear some things up with the MRA and rule enforcement. At their first official race in SC. Because everything was new - a "Fix-it ticket" was voted in and issued for minor infractions. This was a one time thing - at the first race only. After that point and at future races. Compliance for all of the rules - must be followed or the vehicle will be DQ'ed until corrected.
Something racers must understand is that the MRA was just getting off the ground. I am not going to make excuses for what was - I can only express that the MRA is aware of some glitches in the system and are looking at ways (dare I say - restructure) to prevent these issues in the future. The MRA will continue to enforce their rules as they are written. If some clarification of the rules become necessary - the MRA will addressed these concerns when warranted.
Your idea of area techs is not new and is being considered. As far as Regional/divisional racing is concerned - simple concept, But difficult to set up until we know where the tracks and racers are. If it is going to happen we need more information. There's no point of grouping Kentucky with WV, OH, if everyone from KY. races in TN.(etc. etc.) Besides when you really look at it - we already have our own regions or areas - governed by how far we will travel to race.
As for the fuel cost issues. It will most likely add 25 -30% to the cost of fuel for the trip compared to last year. Racers will have to make the call as to weather to travel 400-500 mi. for a $2500 class purse or 100-200 mi. for a $1200 purse. Everything can be proportional when comparing a big $$ race to a local race. The choice is up to them - one big race or two smaller ones?
One big race with (hopefully) 12-20 different trucks to race against or the same 5-10 trucks you always race?
Not always an easy call.
terry
Traveler my friend, always a pleaseure to hear from you. Thank you for you post and setting the record straight on a few things. I just wish that what you said here was posted as clearly on the MRA site. This dose get back to what I said about communication between reps and racers. I did find the protest proceedures in the general rules the other day and they seem to be very concise. MY bad there. I hope to see you in NY in a few weeks and am lookiin foward to gettin out and racin.
Understand what you are saying. It just take time. I am working on putting more clairification into a lot of things in the MRA. Bare with me and the board. It will happen.
As for racing - wish you luck. I am still in NC. until July. So most likely you will not see me at the NY race. I sold my jeep and at the present time are using my 08 race budget to travel for the MRA (although that is limited and about gone)Not winning - just what it is.
Thanks for your support for the MRA. It is up to the racers to make this work, Without them we are going no where.
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