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A Postseason Review/Preview

Just in case you all were wondering, I started this article after the Harvest Fair race in August. Next thing you know it is the week before the Shootout, and I said "Well, might as well cover the next race, too." Funny thing was the truck/trailer and race car were ready but no money for fuel to get out there. I really hope the economy gets sorted out soon!

Anyway, enough of that. The first thing I would like to talk about is this year's class champs. Congrats to my very close friends Chuck Courty III for his first NMRO Class 6 crown, and to Keith Mitchell for his Class 4 win. Anyone watch Pro Stock this year? Well, I sure did and all I can say is HOLY SHIT!!!!! My hat is off to the Wren boys and Shawn Tootle who I got to meet and race with at Bloomsburg and Transfer this year. Nice guys, and wicked fast trucks to boot. It was a lot of fun to race with these guys and to see where the class is going performance wise. Speaking of performance, how did Mean Streak do this year? At Bloomsburg we finished 5th, and at the MRA race in Transfer we got 8th. Good finishes overall but there is still much more left in there somewhere, just got to dig some more and find it!!

Does anyone remember me talking about the NEMRO? No races here in New England, and their website has had very little action. I was really hoping that some more race dates would be forthcoming, because I need some local stuff to try to tune up for the Southern boys. Maybe 2010 will be better.

On the MRA front, it seems that things are going pretty well, and the chat has been mostly positive. The only negative I have is with the lack of tech enforcement I noticed in Transfer. After speaking with MRA prez Mike Z, I was informed that this will be changing for 2010.

So what's new for next year? On my end probably not much, I want to see what happens with the Pro Stock rules. One rule change that was discussed was incorporating Outlaw Super Stock and the current Pro Stocks that have unaltered stock frames into 1 Class. You would be able to run spread port heads but not sheet metal intakes. While I don't see a need, this class would make a lot of sense here in the Northeast. Who knows, maybe this could be the stepping stone for guys that aren't quite ready to jump into Pro Stock, and it could bring some new blood into the sport. Hope everyone has a good winter, and we'll see you next year.

That's all for now.

What's New '09

Hello Pro Stock fans, I'm back. Yes, it has been a long time since I wrote anything new. 2008 really sucked and I had zero motivation to write. I would like send a very late congrats to Kirk Miller and the Grinch crew for their Class III title last year. Kirk is a first class guy and I always look foward to seeing him at the races (just wish we didn't have to race against him). As for Mean Streak, '08 did not see much of us as the cost of fuel was, well you all know what that was like, so two races were all we could afford to run. Our first race was the MRA-supported Outlaw Pro Stock class at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds, put on by MRA prez Mike Z. For the first time in many years, yours truly was behind the wheel and brought home a 3rd place finish. Not bad considering my lack of cuts. Sadly this marked the second year that the firemen watering the track really screwed the pooch by creating a really nice sippy hole in the middle of the track. I really hope that changes for '09.

This season Mean Streak will be up and running with both myself and my main man Chuck Courty III behind the wheel. The '09 schedule is being finalized and we will be keeping the travel to a minimum. The only NMRO race on the schedule will be Bloomsburg. I was very happy to see the VT jambo on the schedule only to find out there were no mud drags! Way to go, NMRO!

On the MRA front, things seem to be moving along very smoothly. There will be a five-race points series this year, and the races have been spread out across the country. Sadly, none are very close to me, so not sure how many Mean Streak will be at. There will be two races at the Transfer Fairgrounds this year. The first will be the Harvest Fair race on August 29. This will also be one of the MRA points races. The second race will be the Shootout on October 10. There was a lot of talk about having the blower class involved in this race so stay tuned.

The last thing I wanted to bring to your attention was the formation of the NEMRO. This organization has been formed to run races on the property of the New England Dragway in Epping, NH. At the helm is none other than fellow CT native, and one of my favorite racers, Tina Olszewski. Through several conversations with Madam President, I have learned that this is going to be one of the first permanent mud drag facilities in the Northeast. A timing tower, two sets of timing lights, grandstands, and lights to run at night are all in the works. Sponsors are being sought for both the overall events as well as for the individual classes. There are rules for nine classes, though they would not all be run at every event, and there is a $50 membership fee. The membership is not required to run, but there is talk of discounts on entry fees as well as reserved pit parking for members. The track will be 30 ft. wide each lane, and 180 ft. long. All the EMS and fire control will be supplied by the Dragway. For us Pro Stock guys, there will be a DOT and an Outlaw class, and the rules are very similar to NMRO and the MRA, so there should be no surprises. The one thing I really hope happens this year is the chance to run the Pro Stock class as an eliminator. Yes, first to the stripe winners and going rounds. Brian Erne and I talked about this at the Fast Mud/MRA meeting this February, as well as setting up a standalone Pro Stock show similar to the Pro-BADD deal Gary Baker has put together. The main difference would be that we would run a quick 8 or quick 16 format. I guess something good came out of that meeting besides a lot of empty beer cans. The NEMRO has their race dates set, and a test and tune date should happen sometime in May. Check out their website for all the details and try to support this new venture however you can.

That's all for now.

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.

PA Postscript '08

There is nothing quite like a drive across PA on I-80, especially during the winter. It was nonetheless worth the crappy drive to see so many old friends and to be a part of the MRA meeting that took place there.

In my last column I stated that the last thing that the sport of mud racing needed was another sanctioning body. While I still stand by that, after attending the MRA meeting and hearing what they had going for them, the real question becomes, "Will we need thee, NMRO, in the future"? Don't get me wrong, the MRA has a lot to prove and a long way to go, but the officers and delegates have really put a lot of time, money and effort into this organization. I have been keeping up on the MRA website, and though most of the buzz is centered around the rules, I do think there are a few things that many people don't know.

First, there are set and fairly short term limits to all elected officials. Second, the MRA has set up very specific track construction and safety guidelines. This will include minimum safety personnel requirements, as well as having inspections for track width and shutdown lengths. Driver safety is also a big concern, with the 2008 guidelines becoming mandatory in the years to come. Something else to come out of this meeting was the Fast Mud race dates for '08. The Harvest Fair race will be on August 23, and the Shootout will be October 11. The blower class is also being considered for inclusion at the Shootout, and both races are being considered for MRA sanctioning. There was also a discussion on races that are sanctioned, and ones that are supported. At a sanctioned race, all MRA class, safety, and track rules will be followed, and eventually points will be issued. A supported race will be those that follow most of the rules, but either can't or won't enforce all of them.

As for the '08 season, Mean Streak will be running as many MRA races in this area as we can, and according to prez Mike Zibella, there may be a number of new races up this way. As of right now, the only NMRO race on the schedule for us will be Bloomsburg, and when we get the dates for the other races we will post them.

I was disappointed to hear of Chris Terry's resignation as a board member of the MRA. I really don't understand his actions, and much of what I have read doesn't make much sense. I will say that one race date conflicting with another is no reason to throw away the whole organization. This happens in other forms of racing with little ill effect. In the day of $4 a gallon diesel, not too many racers can afford to travel. So how do the TMRO's actions benefit anyone (they don't), and they only open the door for animosity in a sport that doesn't need it. Sadly, there will always be those naysayers that take cheap shots at those willing to step up and lead or speak their minds. Since you can't please everyone, I say to my friends at the MRA, keep it up, there are a lot of us that think you are doing a great job.

That's all for now.

The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same

I'M BACK! That's right, folks. After putting the Jeep back together and doing a lot of reading on various websites, I have just one question for all of you: Where is this sport going?! I have read sooo many different and exciting ideas about how to improve the sport, but who will lead us to this promised land? The NMRO? Not! The MRA? I wonder? From what I have read, the MRA seems to be heading in its own direction and away from what I thought and felt was its true calling, the representation of the racer. If I have a problem with or suggestion about Class 3 then who do I talk to? Something else I found very interesting is the absence of some very high profile names from the rep list. Why is this? What would happen if the MRA suggests rule changes or an increase in payout? Would there be some type of strike or is this just a paper tiger? In my opinion, the last thing the sport needs right now is another sanctioning body. It needs LEADERSHIP and UNITY!!!!! Being from the Northeast, I have been fortunate to have Mike Zibella promoting races for the past few years. Every year it is the same thing: good tracks, decent money, no racers. In 2005, the NMRO had a points race at the Chatham fairgrounds and there were only 3 (yes 3) more Class 3 entries than normal. Ask Mike how he did at that race financially. Fast Mud Promotions had their lowest Class 3 turnout ever at the second race in 2007. Again good track, more money than NMRO, and no racers. One word can sum all this up and that is Stagnation! No hobby, sport or business will survive in an era of $3.50 plus for diesel fuel and 5 times that for racing gas without growth. While this column may sound like a pessimistic rant, it comes from my passion for this sport and my concern that the sport of mud racing will never outgrow its boutique status in the world of motorsports. To those who can effect change, I have one final word and that is that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. The NHRA made that choice in 1982 and look where their Pro Stock class is today. I would like to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my friends and to all of our servicemen and women keeping this country great. That's all for now.

Message From Brian Erne - National Mud Racers Association

Yes, the National Mud Racers Association is still alive and progressing. I am still compiling a list of nominees and receiving a few emails from nominees who are accepting nomination.

My goal is still to have a ballot prepared to begin circulating by the Indy Jamboree. The problem is that I still have a list of about 70 nominees and only 9 of these people have replied to let me know that they are interested. This, in itself, is not a problem. If we have a ballot with 12 or 15 nominees on it that would be great.

The thing is, I think there are still quite a few people on the nominee list who would like to be on the ballot. I really need those people to send me an email to let me know. I plan to include a small bio on each nominee, so some personal information such as location, experience in the sport of mud racing, and ideas and goals would be helpful.

I will only include on the ballot those nominees who contact me and express interest. Please encourage those who are on the list and have not accepted nomination to do so.

Here is the complete list of nominees, followed by the list of nominees at this point, who will be on the ballot.

As usual, email me with ideas or questions.

Thanks!
Brian Erne
theernes@comcast.net

Keith Mitchell	Gene Cutchin	Jeff Funk
Scott Snarski	Scott Graham	Brad Wisdom
Mitch Mitchell	Todd James	Terry Slocum
Dusty DeGraffenreid	Scott Lemmon	Mike Lebakken
Chris Terry	Gary Evans	Brad Craven
Ben Cranford	Scott Robertson	Rick Nagele
Brendan Kinsella	Jon Thee	Yvonne Cranford
George Vanderwaal	Dwight Terry	Hugh Crockerell
Mike Lane	Tom Frost	Gary Baker
Brandon Lee	Jeff Smith	Kip Finley
Keith Raedel	Terry Shants	Don Bertrum
Jackie Burden	Dennis Hinson	Joe Curtis
John Stull	Richard Stull	Brian Postelwaith
Chuck Courty	Eric Klos	Chris Boulet
Brian Erne	Tim Wheelus	Tubby McDonald
Scot Sanford	Casey Cagle	Jason Williams
Charles Strickland	Gary Heusted	Bobby Poston
Dave Moeller	Rod Clinton	Mike Zibella
Trevor Pugh	Morticia Walters	Brian Morrison
Bobby Curit	David Kurtz	Tubby McDonald
Mike Lebbaken	Jamie Boyd	Orilin Clark
Dennis Hinson	Mike Maurath	Matt Phieffer
Jeremy Warner	Scott Parent	Andy Garrett
Wayne Bonnaker	Chad Bergman	Calvin Raedel
Jason Bergman	Cory Witt

Accepted Nomination:

Bobby Poston (NC)
Jeff Smith (AR)
Mike Zibella (NY)
Jon Thee (MO)
Scott Graham (MO)
Trevor Pugh (WV)
Dusty DeGraffenreid (MO)
Jeffery Funk (IA)
Chris Terry (TN)
Scott Lemmon (MO)