USAC Racing Forum

General Chat => Point .25 => Topic started by: phaster on December 08, 2009, 10:49:22 PM



Title: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: phaster on December 08, 2009, 10:49:22 PM
hope the whole region goes A REAL USAC TAKE OVER about time QMA goes down


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: animalman on December 09, 2009, 11:57:31 AM
From what I was told by some of the club members, they are staying put . I think they are in wait and see mode


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: RBurns17 on December 09, 2009, 01:07:56 PM
That happened last year. It seemed like no one would jump first and even then people were still hesitant until a few clubs jumped.


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: slowpoke on December 09, 2009, 08:00:20 PM
I understand how some people are afraid of change however if you keep doing the same thing you are going to keep getting the same results.
As a member of one of the first USAC clubs here in Ohio and having really enjoyed this year of racing I would tell those who are nervous to go for it and quit being scared.
 I dont know what kind of issues your clubs are dealing with down there on a local level  but I can imagine that some of you got a feel for QMA at the Eastern Grands this year, I have heard the stories.
  I hope your whole region goes USAC as well,I would like to go south and race some next summer just for the experience on some different tracks. I would also like to run the fall nationals as well.
 If the spec tire is a concern to anyone it shouldn't be , this has been proven time and again and has been discussed on several threads here and I think everyone agrees that the Hoosiers have proven to be just as good or better and last much longer than the others.Not to mention they will save you a lot of money in the long run.Plus they are made in the U.S.A.
Good luck to all and hope to see your clubs listed on here soon.


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: PBCorreaRN on December 21, 2009, 04:46:47 AM
When we were discussing whether to go USAC or stay QMA there were a lot of people that wanted to know what other clubs were going to do... We decided as a club that we had to make the best decision for us and we couldn't make the decision based on what we thought others were going to do.

People seem to think a lot of clubs may be waiting to see what we did as well. Well we went USAC and from what it sounds like around here we made the right decision... :)


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: JP3Racing on December 22, 2009, 08:03:12 PM
I am a member at the TN track.  We have been talking about what to do for several months now, and more people are coming on board with considering USAC.  The spec tire and growing costs to be competitive seem to be really be driving it.  I personally am very interested, but there are those that have close ties with QMA and are not wanting to consider it.  They unfortunately are only bringing up negative things that they have heard to play it down.  They continue to complain about the "for profit" aspect of USAC.  They have spoken of low car counts at USAC events and promises to clubs not being kept by the organization.  This information supposedly coming from people at tracks that have converted to USAC that are unhappy and want to go back to QMA.  I have not personally had any real issues with QMA, but I want to do what gives my kid the best environment to race in.  After this season, I am not a big fan of judging as we have experienced a lot of bad calls being made and a lot of "no calls" being made for certain people.  We would prefer to race the way we want to be raced and leave the politics out as much as possible.  Judging also slows up the race day considerably, constantly waiting for judges,etc.  If I understand the way USAC is set up, there are no judges which sounds good to me.   

I would appreciate any information from experiences with USAC and anything that will help convince us it's the right choice.  What makes it better than QMA?  I can tell it will be a tight vote and all the information we can have to make our decision the better.


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: open wheel on December 22, 2009, 08:36:56 PM
I have raced at your track several times and even used the USAC Hoosiers against vegas there this summer.  The tires still looked new after running there and they were 4 races old already.  We were very competitive.  That alone would be a good reason to go USAC.  You do not have hardly any DECO cars, so the new Animal platform would be an affordable option for guys wanting more power.
I have been a QMA member since 06 and would not hesitate to change to USAC.  You still have to have members step up to work.  But it is "Real" racing.  Might as well teach the kids how it is going to be when they graduate to the "next" level.  The National Board for QMA is for profit.  Some of them profit alot from keeping the dinosaur called a Deco around.  Nashville will never host a grands because of the parking situation. So really you have nothing to lose.  Plus the benefit of increased car counts from the Ohio members coming to race with you.


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: sfreitas20 on December 22, 2009, 09:34:45 PM
Here is my take and some facts to consider regarding this:

"They continue to complain about the "for profit" aspect of USAC." - Your club can stay a non-profit organization so I don't see how that has anything to do with it.  I don't know specifically if USAC is for profit or not, but more important to me is they are all about racing at many different levels.

"They have spoken of low car counts at USAC events" - It was year one and there were what, 10 - 12 clubs in USAC?  QMA pretends USAC doesn't exist (check the minutes from the last conference call - other racing organization), but if USAC keeps chipping away at clubs those car counts will go nowhere but up.  Speaking of car counts, wasn't the car count at the fall Nationals  low compared to years past and currently there are less than 60 cars registered for the LIl500 QMA event.  Car counts are low everywhere because so is cashflow.

"...and promises to clubs not being kept by the organization.  This information supposedly coming from people at tracks that have converted to USAC that are unhappy and want to go back to QMA." - If that was true, why haven't those clubs gone back to QMA now that 2009 is over?  Don't let anyone tell you because QMA won't let them because that is BS.  If a club wanted to go back they would welcome them with open arms because it would be a slam to "the other racing organization".

Don't let the negative opinions sway you or anyone you knows decision making process.  Make it based on facts.  That is why I think what North Georgia is doing right now is the right thing to do.  Form a committee to get all the facts and make an informed decision either way.

I will tell you my biggest concern with USAC going into 2010 (I have communicated this to James already) is the issue with the Thailand 160 engine.  I believe USAC needs to find a way to approve it so people can run it because there are going to be people running both QMA and USAC and they are going to end up having to buy 4 160 engines in order for their kids to race 160 for both sanctioning bodies.  I believe if USAC wants to show their members they want to truly keep their costs down, they will find a way to make it work.

That my two cents worth...


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: magjagmotorsports on December 22, 2009, 09:51:08 PM
Our family have been QM racers since 2002 and have been to a lot of major events including the Eastern Grands, the Gasoline Alley events, and most all the major USAC races this year. We've raced at the TN track a couple of times as well. I am a past QMA club president. Our club went USAC this past season and we had fun racing again this year. While at the club level you do have to flag and be a chief steward, at the USAC Gen Next races you actually were able to relax, had time to work on your cars, and most times were done racing at an early enough time to enjoy dinner with family and friends. If you're involved in an incident on the track you're going to the tail along with any other car(s) that were involved. If it was blatent the offending car gets a strike, if it wasn't blatent all cars involved get a strike. Regardless, everyone goes to the tail. The drivers learn quickly they need to race clean. Is it perfect? There is no such thing as perfect in racing, especially kids racing. USAC allows flexibility at the club level which is good for the clubs. The raceceivers have also been a huge safety improvement as well as a time saver.
QMA was once the only game in town but now there is another option and it is worth a look. We have a lot of memories racing with QMA over the years but this past season was one of the best and it was with USAC. Remember your club is its own entity. Neither QMA or USAC own your club. QMA and USAC are sanctioning bodies only and should not dictate what should or should not be in you club bylaws. I believe all of the clubs that went USAC in 2009 have decided to renew with USAC for 2010. USAC continues to add clubs for the 2010 racing season. Best of luck to your club in your decision.


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: slowpoke on December 22, 2009, 11:25:00 PM
As a member of a USAC club here in Ohio I don't recall having heard anyone at any track or race all summer long talk about going back to QMA.In fact I only heard praise and support for USAC and people talking about how much more fun racing was this year.As stated in the previous post Neither QMA or USAC own your clubs, the clubs are its members and USAC will allow each club flexibility. The new animal classes are going to be huge in the future as the expensive antique Deco's die out,I know we will never own one quite simply because they are just a pain in the rear. As far as the Thailand 160's I hope USAC keeps them out so us USAC guys can buy up all the QMA motors at a discount price.


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: Phil on December 23, 2009, 12:35:52 AM
" They continue to complain about the "for profit" aspect of USAC"

Doesnt take long to find out who's telling the truth.
http://www.insmkt.com/usac.htm

"The United States Auto Club (USAC) was founded in 1955 as a not-for-profit auto race santioning organization with the purpose of developing rules and specifications for the sport, providing qualified officials for the conduct of its events and in general, instituting an organized framework for the race participants and race organizers."


Remember.... McDonalds didn't serve billions being a secret!!!


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: animalman on December 23, 2009, 08:27:49 AM
I think what everybody is not looking at here is that QMA or USAC does not own a QM track. You do not have to be sanctioned by anybody. Look at the tracks in Pa. Call them outlaw, inlaws, or just independent. As far as USAC, they are a non profit corporation. But people there do draw a salary, which is perfectly legit. Bob Dole's wife drew a $250,000.00 salary for the Red Cross and it is non profit. As far as QMA being for "profit", I see your point. But shame on the members for voting these guys and gals in. Yes I know , a lot of you did not get to vote this year. I'm talking about the last ten years! Remember, racing QMs is supposed to be family fun. If you are running so your kid can be the next superstar, get a life. Yes some will make it. But you are more likely to get struck by lightning.
   


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: phaster on December 23, 2009, 11:38:04 AM
listen folks you that have raced QMA know what you and your members will get the same youve been getting for years half truths from QMA or none funtional RDs that forget they ran for that title ....why not try something new thats what we looked at and decided for our track and our kids that if USAC does half or even a 1/4 of what they say thats more than QMA if not than your just in the same OL Crap nothing ventured nothing lost as far as the thiland motors its not keeping cost down if you are forced to buy a new motor just to compete....


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: sfreitas20 on December 23, 2009, 12:12:45 PM
Buying two new motors is cheaper than buying two new and two used so your kid can move up to 160 in both sanctioning bodies...no matter how you slice it.

animalman...our kids were treated like superstars this year and that was awesome!  Can't wait to see that even more next year.


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: ssssmoke on December 23, 2009, 12:16:05 PM
as far as the thiland motors its not keeping cost down if you are forced to buy a new motor just to compete....

so do away with hondas? then you have to buy a animal that cost 1250.00-1450.00.
no savings there. absolete the thousands of hondas out there?
all new people must buy used honda motors? is that fair? im not sure. all i know is the thai motors ran at the mv gnext race that got moved from st. louis did not impress me at all. i think we need to realize we need to give a little more credit to driver and set up. not sure where to go with this, just my thoughts.


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: USAC Developmental on December 23, 2009, 12:38:02 PM
To get back on track with the start of this thread, I will be speaking to the Nashville club about USAC next week.  I look forward to meeting their members and answering their questions to the benefit of joining the USAC family.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: Phil on December 23, 2009, 02:29:27 PM
 Freitas
  Should one santioning body make rules so you may be competitive in another? It would be your choice to have motors for both.
 Smoke
 Nobody has said anything about getting rid of Hondas.
 Have you seen any tech specs on the new Hondas? I doubt it because there are none, thats why USAC outlawed it for now. These motors are different, some different than others. Some of the heads have been cleaned up in the ports, probably to remove casting flash, they appear to be ported. How do you tech that? This is just 1 item. QMA has allowed parts swapping from old to new, so if you have already bought a new one its a dinasaur already so now you need to spend more $$$$.

 These changes are just to meet 2010 emissions. End of 2011 and in 2012 emissions from these current motors have to be cut in half. 2012 also begins the new evaporative emmission regs (have you tried buying a normal gas can without that stupid spout), and you cant remove it either. At least USAC (and only USAC) is looking at alternatives.   

     


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: sfreitas20 on December 23, 2009, 03:24:08 PM
Thanks for the response from your box Phil!  I, like most people, don't live in a box.  I know I am not the only person that races both USAC and QMA.  Our options are to buy 4 engines (primary and backup for each sanctioning body) or just buy the new ones and cheat in USAC and hope we don't get caught (several people did this at the end of last season).

If USAC isn't going to approve the new engines then they should make a clean break from Honda right now instead of dragging it out.  If not it won't be long before people can't get engines for USAC races.  Then see what happens to the prices go up for those older engines and parts (how much do good Deco's go for?).  I am hearing from local builders that is already happening that they can't get an engine for a race team that already needs them and I know the builder is also already in USAC's ear about this.

I am not slamming USAC here at all.  I am a big fan of USAC and thankful they are in the sport.  This is just one area they need to make a move one way or the other on.  Approve the new engine or retire the class.


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: ssssmoke on December 23, 2009, 03:32:13 PM
just alot of people scratching there heads out there now (mostly new people) wondering what move to make phil. do i buy this do i buy that? from oct. to apr. most people people buy things such as engines and cars and its tough to do now. what would you suggest to these rookies phil? thanks


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: Phil on December 23, 2009, 04:17:45 PM
 I didn't mean to offend anyone with my post and definatly am not in a box, quite the opposite.

Freitas, I think you need to look at both sides. What about the multi driver teams that may only run USAC? Ones that are very competitive now with good equipment but may have to spend $4000+ to be competitive next year. Does QMA offer an Animal class for you to run next year?

Smoke
  Very,very, very few people new to the sport buy new equipment. USAC made this decision with help from club presidents and the competition commitee.         


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: ssssmoke on December 23, 2009, 04:58:05 PM
im not questioning usac decision at all. i support it 100%. this does not effect myself at all, we have engines capable of running usac or qma honda or briggs. i look at it as every racer has a right to know from your wealthy team with 4 or 6 cars to the one car guy in a pick up truck. it doesnt matter if its one new guy or a hundred new guys wanting to buy new equipment.  so answer the question- what do you suggest to the new guy phil?


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: Phil on December 23, 2009, 05:21:41 PM
 I believe Mr Rankine answered this in the thread where this should be talked about in the first place. If you want to buy new old motors they are still available. If you want to talk about this further lets go to the Honda thread.


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: blaze302 on December 23, 2009, 07:05:31 PM
Hello everyone
 I have been reading this forum almost since it was created and after reading Mr. JP3Racing's post on here I feel I have to respond since he misrepresented a couple of things I brought up at our last meeting. First I will introduce myself because I dont feel like I have to hide behind a screen name. My name is Tommy Johnson, I have been president of MCQMRA for the past two years.  I have taken on the roll as Race Director/Vice President for 2010. My son is Blaze, he has been racing quarter midgets for the past 3 years and competes in Jr. Honda and Jr. Stock class.
 I will start by saying that I am probably one of the biggest opponents of Music City becoming a USAC sanctioned track but in no way did I "play down" USAC. The "for profit" issue was not brought up in our meeting. After one of our members complained that QMA had not visited us, we said that we believe that James Spink and Kevin Miller are paid to visit different tracks, QMA officials are voluntary and work on their own time and at their own expense. In no way do I or anyone else at our club care if USAC is "for profit" or "not for profit". It's not a deciding factor to me so thats not an issue.
 I did bring up the low car counts and here is my reasoning. If USAC tracks in Ohio are bringing in 60 to 90 cars per race and in my research those numbers are pretty close.(feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) How many of those would actually travel this far if we did get one of USAC's big races. It is my opinion, and this is only my opinion, that we would maybe get 50 cars. There are no facts to base that on either way. Just my opinion.
 I have talked to a few members of USAC, mostly from Tampa. I did not pick and choose who I talked to, just a few families that I know and it just came up in conversation. Most of them were not critical of USAC but they were not overly joyed with USAC either. To quote one, they said "it's a place to race' thats it". I have heard rumors that a couple of the tracks are going back to QMA but thats exactly what they were, rumors. I only heard that from one Tampa member with my own ears, so I'm not drawing conclusions from that. The only place that I hear that its the "greatest thing in the world" is on here and I respect each and every one of your opinions on that.
 About the "no judges". I don't fully understand how that works, and believe me I have asked and never got a clear answer. But from what I know about it, I'm not in favor of it and I'll bring up one instance involving Mr. JP3Racing's son and Blaze. The next to the last race, he and Blaze were side by side going down the front straightaway. Blaze on the inside, his son on the outside. Blaze arced a little too much going into the corner and to no fault of Mr. JP3Racing's son, ran him into the wall. Now it was Blazes fault no doubt but it was a racing accident, nothing more. Blaze told me he thought he had him passed and after the race apologized to Mr. JP3Racing's son.  The judges called no racing room on Blaze and put him in the back and Mr. JP3Racing's son got his position back as I thought it should have been. It is my understanding that under the "no judges" rule, they both would have went to the back.(again, correct me if I'm wrong) I just cant see how thats right and knowing Mr. JP3Racing, I cant see that going over well with him either. As for judges slowing up the day, I agree but that is something that can and will be fixed. Our biggest issue with time wasnt judges, it was getting the day going and keeping it going.
 Now I'm hearing on here that against an agreement at our last meeting, that there will be a meeting with USAC and the membership of MCQMRA next week but we've heard nothing from our 2010 president who I would assume has set this up. I dont mind us talking to USAC, but it was agreed upon that we would do that after QMA's national meeting. That issue will definitly be dealt with later. In the meantime I look forward to meeting with James and or Kevin and hearing what they have to say, I just wish it was being done correctly. And if we do end up with USAC, my son will still be racing at Music City but we we'll primarily focus on another QMA track.
 I just wanted to take this time to clear these misunderstandings up. In no way have I or will I ever "play down" USAC. I've only had one problem with USAC and James Spink and I talked about that. I think there is room in this world for both USAC and QMA. I believe the competition will make quarter midget racing better as a whole. It is just my opinion that for right now, USAC is not the best thing for MCQMRA and as I said before, I respect each and every one of your opinions whether you agree or disagree. My email is on MCQMRA's website, I can be contacted at anytime. I will not listen to USAC or QMA bashing but if you would like to tell me how USAC would be better, feel free. I will listen. Thank you for your time and attention. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and good luck to everyone in 2010 whether you be USAC or QMA.

Thank You
Tommy Johnson -President Music City Quarter Midget Racing Assoc.
2010 Vice President/Race Director


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: Swartz on December 23, 2009, 07:41:53 PM
First, yes both cars woud have gone to the back and if it was decided that only one was at fault they woud get a "strike". Same thing as a call. Just like the big boys and if you are going on in racing it makes sense to me to learn the way it's going to be from the start. But, that would only apply to the Midwest Thunder and Gen. Next races we ran. The nice thing with USAC is that you can run your weekly racing any way you want. You want judges? Go ahead but the program moves a lot faster without them and there is a heck of a lot less arguing. I also do not believe that any sanctioning body should have any say in how a club runs it's program. I like the way Columbus does their deal. The weekly and indoor races are not sanctioned. Anyone from anywhere can run them. I also think clubs and tracks should be able, and legaly are, to join as many or few sanctioning bodies as they choose. USAC was ok with that The insurance was ok with that. QMA threw a tantrum. Real profesional. When I talk about this stuff I get a lot of guff about common rules. Should have seen me scratch my head the first time we went to the QMA track in Topeka. Got third in the heat, won the feature, got a trophy for second because they combine points from qual., heat, feature.
I think the real point is USAC says race wherever you want and means it. QMA says they won't punnish you if you go play with other people but tell that to everyone around here that they would not accept memberships from.
That's what I think.
Myron Swartz
Forgot to mention, while QMA board members are technicaly not paid they are reimbursed for their travel expenses, get free parking, per dium, lodging, etc. at the grands and I believe they are about to drop $30,000 of member money for the anual gathering in Vegas where even the regional directors get travel expenses. Don't want to hear it's worth it to have their "help" at the grands. It takes solid year of planning and a year of actual work to do one and the club does all of that. They just show up and take charge. You might also check the roster and see how many of them actualy earn a living off of the membership from engines, cars and gear. I think if you ask USAC you could get a list of who is on the competition committee. Try asking QMA who is on the tech. committee.


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: sfreitas20 on December 23, 2009, 08:31:12 PM
Hello Tommy...I don't think you should judge USAC based on Tampa.  Tampa is a very unique animal and I would be happy to address specifics of Tampa with you, but I really don't want to do that via this public forum.  Tampa is our home track for USAC and New Smyrna is our home track for QMA so I am very familiar with why the Tampa member you spoke to answered that way.

Please feel free to contact me at 727-505-9772 if you would like to discuss Tampa.

Thanks,
Scott


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: JP3Racing on December 23, 2009, 08:45:05 PM
I want to say first I am not hiding behind anything.  If you know who I am then I'm not very hidden.  I could have used a more "secretive" user name had that been the intention.  I didn't include my email link because I get enough email without adding to it.  I like this staying here and me coming to it rather than it coming to me at work.  Tommy, at no time did I say you in particular, nor did I reference the last meeting in particular.  I have honestly been hearing things from many people for months, positive and negative.  The for profit deal is something that I have heard from numerous people at different times and different tracks.  I didn't know the correct answer on it, but now I and they do too. 

I know I am not the only person at our track that just want's more information and this seemed like a good place for feedback.  I would welcome any QMA members to chime in and tell me why they feel QMA is better.  I see that many QMA members are obviously watching this site too.  I haven't been a member but for a couple of years and I'm sure there are lots of great things that I don't know about QMA too.  I really hope I don't have to choose a side to be able to get information.  I have been very open at our track that I feel we should consider all options with all things that can make our track better.  As I had said in the post, I don't have any major issues with QMA, but I just thought if there were positives with USAC, they should be considered and weighted.  The problem with all of this is that no matter how you slice it, it's going to be contraversial to someone or make someone mad.  I brought up what I had heard so that exactly what happened would, people would respond with opinions and experiences.  I hope that if there are USAC people that have negative feedback, they aren't afraid to share it because that's how things get better.  I wouldn't think this forum is only people that love USAC, anyone can sign up for free.  I just want to hear what people have to say, then I, we, all can make our own opinions. 

You are correct Tommy by thinking I wouldn't be happy with my kid going to the back.  I never am for whatever reason, even the many times where he has screwed up.  I am not certain it would be better to not have judges, but I am not for not looking at other options too. I just see judging as a tough thing period.  It's the part of this racing I dislike the most since it has the potential to be the most confrontational for parents and kids.  And honestly, we do typically wait a long time at every track I've been to for judges.  Other things have caused the days to drag, but I sure hear the ladies calling for judges an aweful lot while the kids sit waiting in the cars. 

I am not aware of a meeting next week either.  I personally will be out of town next week so I won't be able to be there.  I would have liked to have been there to hear from USAC.  I have lots of questions and concerns to be addressed too. 

I appreciate everyone's responses and hope to hear more.

John Pitman
Just a Dad from the TN track


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: ssssmoke on December 23, 2009, 08:52:58 PM
WELL SAID SWARTZ


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: phaster on December 23, 2009, 11:13:20 PM
Started this thread to hopfully give the guys and ladies at other QMA region 3 tracks some inciteful info to help them make a choice for the tracks COME ON USAC supporters talk them into a change and I can't wait to see some of you guys down south to race


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: slowpoke on December 24, 2009, 12:13:16 AM
Started this thread to hopfully give the guys and ladies at other QMA region 3 tracks some inciteful info to help them make a choice for the tracks COME ON USAC supporters talk them into a change and I can't wait to see some of you guys down south to race

 phaster, I hope your track does go with USAC so you and your members can enjoy racing again and so we can come down and race there but if for some reason you guys decide not to, we won't be able to . However you are always welcome to come up and run with us on our USAC tracks. Remember USAC even lets you run in 1 race without even joining so you can get a feel for how things work. No matter which route your club decides to go you have to remember that it is your members that make up your club and everyone has to participate to make things work. I would be interested also in hearing some of the reasons QMA proponants have for staying QMA sanctioned,I haven't heard any yet. I tried to look on the QMA forum but they want to control that with a strong arm also, Hell I couldn't even read the post without paying for a membership. How much did everyone on here have to pay for this forum?


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: hotshotracing on December 24, 2009, 04:05:52 AM
Hello All,
  I'd like to start my introducing myself.  My name is Charlie Pate, and I am the newly elected president at MCQMRA for 2010.  My son has raced 2 seasons now, and competes in the Jr. Honda and Jr. Stock classes. 
  As there have been posts from others at our track, I feel there are a few things that I should address in the interest of clarity.  First, I'm interested in learning more about USAC because I have seen several aspects that I believe could be beneficial to the life of our track.  I am not "anti" QMA, I'm merely trying to gather information and facts in order to present to other members of our track. 
  I personally do not think that this is the place to discuss our club matters, but since it has been brought up, I will say that, according to the minutes from our last track meeting, there was no agreement not to talk to USAC.  There was even an agreement to have another club memeber do some questioning at another event he was attending.  An informational session has been scheduled with a USAC rep, and I personally sent out an email today to club members with this information.  (It was late in the day getting out because, as noted in my email, my server was down at my office and I had to arrange to get the emails out another way.)   
  Everyone at our track is encouraged to have an opinion and to voice that opinion, however, I think that it should be done in a respectful and informed manner regardless of whether you support QMA or USAC.  I also believe that the decisions that we make as a track should be based on what is most beneficial to our club and leave other tracks and regions to decide what is best for them.
  My goal in scheduling time for USAC and QMA to make their own presentations is to allow them to present information on their organizations which we can use to compare the two and make the decision that is most beneficial for our kids and their racing.
  If anyone has further input on this matter, feel free to contact me via our club website.  (www.mcqmra.com)
  I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas and  a Happy New Year!!


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: phaster on December 24, 2009, 09:18:59 AM
hey nc went usac for a reason even after asking qma to come down we still got the normal run around and no answers they qma say the only way to change things are through rcps and with the rd forgetting to turn them in for region 3 you were looking at a 18mth birht process for any of the changes people are looking for and there is no recourse for this you will not be heard until next year and if I had to here this is volunteer one more time you ran for the position now do the job...there presintation was weak and it turns into all the members fault and your problem not theres  the only reason the came down was because a board member was down for the fall national and heard we were going usac thats the only reason the had already had our questions for several weeks and did not respond until told to do so


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: Swartz on December 24, 2009, 11:23:13 AM
I think a fact that gets lost in all this is that neither QMA or USAC sanction weekly racing. Read the bylaws. QMA sanctions the grands and states races. Period. If you run a regional series it is sanctioned under the authority of the regional board. Usac only sanctioned the Gen. Next series and Indy nationals. The midwest Thunder was a district series. There is NO national points series. Just because a national org. feels that sticking their nose into local business is in their best financial intrest does not make it right or aceptable. All of this is run on members money. I should probably post this on the QMA open forum...oh...wait......
My name is still:
Myron Swartz


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: phaster on December 24, 2009, 03:40:29 PM
myron swartz please clarify if you dont mind was that a jab at usac or qma??? not sure


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: Swartz on December 24, 2009, 04:20:52 PM
Not a jab at either. Just fact. The Columbus indoors used to be QMA untill a national board member stuck her nose into how they were run. I'm sure there are plenty of other examples. Well, I guess the forum thing was a jab at QMA. I've nver seen an org. directly threaten the membership for what they may deem misuse of a forum on the internet. If I posted something inappropriate here I'm sure the moderator would delete or edit it but no one has said it would threaten my childs ability to compete. And it is an open forum. Why would you shut out the ability of people who may have years of experience that have moved on or new people looking for advice and information about joining? I guess it works out if you are trying to be a secret or controll the members


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: Kendall42 on December 25, 2009, 07:28:53 PM
I can tell you from experience now that USAC really made our quarter midget experience a more memorable one.  We started in QM racing at Toledo 4 years ago when Austin was 11...much later then I wish we had started.  We did a few regionals in our QMA years, but really did not enjoy it all that much.  Shows lasted WAY too long, too much bickering and people getting pissy about the judging, lots of political stuff.  We enjoyed the Tri-City and club stuff...but just did not enjoy the Regional stuff. 
When Toledo voted to between USAC and QMA...I really did not care too much which way we went.  We just wanted to race club stuff anyway so it really did not matter.  Having raced big cars for years and racing under track rules and UMP rules, I don't race because of a sanctioning body, I race to race and have fun.  However, the first GenNext race (Midwest qualifier) we went to was at Toledo and WOW...what a blast!  USAC had the big USAC truck and ran a very smooth, fun, professional event!  The kids truly felt like they were the stars of a USAC show.  The politics were gone, the bickering was gone...just a bunch of people focusing on racing and having fun.  So we decided to run a few more of the GenNext and MW Thunder shows.  We ran at Nationals, Kokomo and Columbus.  We then ran the final Bellevue dirt show and did very well.  We were hooked...these USAC deals are a blast!  Unfortunately we did not run enough of the GenNext shows to get called up on stage at the AWESOME USAC banquet. 
This year, 2010, will be Austin's last in QM Racing because he will be 15 in March.  So long as finances allow it (this economy has taken it's toll on my racing budget!) we will run all the GenNext stuff, or at least the shows in the midwest.  Not sure we can make Florida or Vegas...but maybe!  And we will run as many of the Midwest Thunder shows as we can...the dirt shows for sure!  With it being his last year in QM, I want him to enjoy making that stage appearance at the USAC banquets next year.  It was one awesome banquet in 2009 and the kids were the stars of a very big deal! 

So...if anyone is questioning if their club should go USAC or not, my vote would be yes.  Again, I had no real preference when our club went...I would have been OK either way as long as we raced!  But I am glad now that our club went this way and we started going to the bigger shows.  I am really looking forward to our final season in 2010 and all the great USAC shows! 

Brad Kendall
www.kendallmotorsports.com


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: MTA Motorsports on December 27, 2009, 12:20:19 PM
Hello all.  We are members at the Nashville track and certainly are very interested in everyone's opinion.  Let me first say i do not speak for the track.  I don't want anyone to percieve my opinion or curiosity to be one for the Nashville board, or its membership as a whole.  Just me.  My quest for information and willingness to "break ranks" in only bathed in the desire to race, and travel with my child.  The Nashville decision is not what I am even willing to discuss, as I am no longer connected to the political machine.  I do know one thing.  With the North Carolina and Metro Migration, our landscape has changed.  That cannot be denied, or ignored.  I have no idea what Cummings or region 3 QMA will do, or what ARCA has to offer.  I also have no idea what Nashville will do.  So I must plan for the future.
 
OK, so I hate it that all this stuff is happening when we planned to travel more this year.  We have a significant investment in camping equipment that I fully intend to use that is till my driver determines if he likes travelling or not.  To this point, we spent most of our time going back and forth between Huntsville and nashville and this year we were planning to expand on it.  As a team, this year or next will probably be our last season, so we want to make the most of it.  I was hoping to make our world a little bigger than the 2 tracks we already know.

Here are my questions:  Is there anything that prevents me from driving both QMA and Usac?  I understand there is no love lost between the organizations and honestly don't care, but I am concerned that we may not have any choice but too join and race both.  So, is there anyone else out there that is doing that?  Whats it like going between both groups?  i know there are tire differences but beyond that, any issues?  I'm not surprised that the responses you get on the USAC site are all positive about USAC.  Sounds like everyone is enjoying the experience.  Since we are from the Nashville area, we are still less than 6 hours from most of the tracks north.  I understand there are differences but how does it effect the quality of racing?  Do any of you folks race both, and what do you think?  What do your driver's think?


Mark Andreola
MTA Motorsports


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: ssssmoke on December 27, 2009, 12:44:16 PM
no qualifying at the usac shows. usually done early and back at the camp site with the grill going watching the kids rip it up on scooters, bikes, etc. usac absolutely does not care if you also run qma. qma should not care if you run usac but have heard some sticky situations there. my opinion is race as much as you can in either sanction and enjoy your last year(s).


Title: Re: any news from tenn club are the considering it
Post by: sfreitas20 on December 27, 2009, 07:22:19 PM
Mark, we do both and have no issues.  You mention tire differences, but I don't there has to be that either.  We have done testing at the QMA track, where everyone runs Vegas, with our Hoosiers and haven't really noticed much difference, except the Hoosiers seem to wear a lot better. 

I know in the Midwest there seemed to be a lot of animosity between the two groups, but I haven't really noticed it much here in the south.  As far as the racing goes, it is racing.  I have been around racing long enough to know that your team is going to get screwed on some calls no matter what and your team is also going to get some good calls to.  In the end it all balances out.  I will say it is a little easier on the handler at the USAC events, especially when you have a wrecked car to fix, because you don't have to worry about running to the tower to judge. 

All in all, both offer good racing and a good platform for our kids.  I think USAC is a little bit better at this point and I think they are structured to be a lot better in the long term as well.  They have a clear "ladder" for those kids that want to continue up the racing ranks.

As far as what my son thinks of both, as a 7 year old Junior Honda driver, he doesn't really notice too much difference.  He gets in the car and goes after it just the same no matter what.

Hope that helps and don't hesitate to send me a message if you want to talk about it more.