Based on input from everyone here and some other sources, Shorty and I came up with a list of "demands" for the MG staff. They were extremely receptive, as they want the race to be as popular as other tracks.

Changes for 2009

1. Four different color run cards will be distributed. Each card will be attached to a set of lanes. For example, red cards always go into 1 & 2. Obviously they could over flow into 3 & 4, but they are assigned a specific set of lanes. Double entries will be given run cards for lane sets that are not touching to give them ample time.

2. Double entries will no longer be called at all. Just run with your color(s).

3. When 32 or less cars remain, a 15 min break will be taken. At this time a ladder will be drawn. Remaining entries will then be called to lanes 1 & 8, pulling in SS style, facing the center so that pairing can be easily made. The sportsman ladder will be used, meaning that double entries have the possibility of running themselves. If you still have two entries, you will run as the first and last pair, or as close to that as possible.

4. A minimum of 10 minutes will be given to drivers between runs after the ladder is drawn.

The payout has also been restructured.

Saturday
Win 10,000
RU 3,000 (up from 2K)
Semi 1,000 (up from 750)
$100 Rd money starting with 3rd round win

Sunday
Win 5,000
RU 2,000 (up from 1,500)
Semi 750 (up from 500)
$75 Rd money starting with 3rd round win

With this new structure, and the still low entry fee, this will be the best paying footbrake race in the area. I am not saying that to knock any other races. They are all done well. I want to make the point though that MG has really listened and gone the extra mile to show all of us that they want our cars pulling in for the Footbrake Nationals.

ISSUES NOT RESOLVED
1. Deep staging rules will stay the same. On a weekly basis we have plenty of drivers who do it with no issue. Paul Werner won ST and Pro championships not long ago doing it with Division 1 rules in place.

2. Bye runs will continue to be carried over if driver wins. If a driver holds the bye run when the ladder is created, they take top qualifier spot, regardless of reaction time in previous round.

3. I did not see the tech line issue prior to the weekend. We did not discuss it with Lex, but there is still time and a resolution might be possible.

4. There is word that credit cards will most likely be accepted next year. This isn't 100% yet. As of right now, pre-entries can be done with credit cards, so get that money in early.

I hope everyone that was disgruntled takes this changes as an olive branch and gives Maple another shot to be one of the premier footbrake race facilities in the East.

quote:

1. Deep staging rules will stay the same. On a weekly basis we have plenty of drivers who do it with no issue. Paul Werner won ST and Pro championships not long ago doing it with Division 1 rules in place.

Just curious as to what the rules actually are for deeping

As per Summit ET Finals rules on Division 1 website

"DEEP STAGING. If you are going to deep stage, it may not be visible on the vehicle. All DEEP (lettering) on windows must be removed (not permitted to be covered). The tree will be on autostart, no provision will be made by the starter if a racer is deep. No disqualification for going deep."

Also as per Div. 1 ET Finals rules:

"Tree settings for Pro – Street – HS - 1.2 – 1.7 – 10 second time out"

So u cant have deep on ur window even if ur going deep?? Is courtesy staging mandatory?

right - no deep on car, even if you are going deep. Courtesy staging is not mandatory.

Thanks for trying Andy

Andy thank you for at least getting them to be respective. Have not been there racing all year but making sure I will be here for that race.

Andy, thanks for your efforts to make a good race an even better race.

Frankly though, I never had a problem at this race, double entered and deep staging though I know some of my fellow NJFD racers did.

Coming from one that deep staged for many, many years, the current Division 1 rules regarding deep staging work BUT it's a race to get in 1st for most when both competitors know the other is too a deep stager.

Dead hooked too every pass last year with my nearly 2 ton, small tire, nose heavy Chevelle when others with back halved/chassis cars were complaining about track conditions.

Sounds good! Does anyone know if dropping a car/trailer off the day before will be possible? If so, who exactly do i contact?

Andy I was looking at the orginal flyer. 4th round pay was $100, then 5th $125, etc. Does this mean they are going to restructure the rest of the rounds as well?

T172JR - You will be able to leave your cars from the NEDS. I don't think there is grudge racing anymore that time of year, so no one will be at the track Friday to let you in.

Camaroracer1258 - Yes, instead of the original structure, it will just be 100 round money to the semis. That means quarterfinal payout will be a little less, but up till and after that is more.

Andy .......... will Sunday (5K) be 1 time run, and go?

Dave

I have run this race before and was considering coming up this year but since down here we have to have deep on our cars and according to that it can't be just covered + if 2 deepstage someone is bound to get burned---guess I will pass. See some of you at Piedmont thanksgiving where deep stagers are welcome----but don't try to take 1/2 an hour getting in. They will give you time but not forever

quote:

Originally posted by ferndaleflyer: See some of you at Piedmont thanksgiving where deep stagers are welcome

Deep stagers may be welcome, but the payout sucks this year. Count me out.

i really like this race....just wish they would take care of the double entry situation......they dont hesitate to take 2X our money at the gate. last year after a pass i was splashing some fuel into the tank as i am being rushed back into the lanes by an official. some of us run alky and have to fuel every run. They have to realize that we are driving some pretty high dollar cars and not just out street stuff that we can beat the crap out of.

Jason, nice to hear from you. Hope you had a good season.

I think the changes that were made will fix the double entry situation. There should be around 30 pairs 4th round, which should still give you time to run at the front and back. Then when it's on a ladder you will also be running front and back, with at least 10 minutes to cool down.

By not calling double entries, we shouldn't have anyone feeling forced into the lanes.

-- As far as the deep situation, i can try to negotiate for having the autostart off for 2 deep stagers. I don't think wording being on the car rule is that big of a deal. I do know they will not be holding the tree for one deep stager.

In my opinion most Deep racers don't want Deep on their windows anymore. There have been very few problems with Deep and the current way Div 1 runs it. Why would you change it for this one race and confuse everyone? It just makes another arguement on "what" the rule is. Leave it the way it is and everyone already understands the situation.

Good call Lou, glad to have a voice of reason here. How is the baby?

Ditto to what lou said regarding deep!!!

I am a deep stager, and I agree with Lou. We have been running with these same rules for almost 2 years now. At MG, autostart with the normal Div #1 time settings is a better option.