DEMO DERBY

[topfive]

I was surprised at the car count last night- I figured a lot less would show up. However the track is doing all they can to run people off- impounding cars after tech, branding tires and having none in stock. Looked like the 15 started things off by getting into the 29 on the start and taking out 3 cars. Later on he got the 16 car and then spun on his own, the track finally sent him packing. Its a good thing the Ewing team has a lot of tow trucks- they needed them to get their cars back home. Dustin Ash checked out as usual once he cleared the traffic- he should quit wasting time here and follow Haase, Johnson and Barton to a bigger series.

[a]

What a crash fest. I was really disappointed with how this race was run. From what I could tell, most of the drivers were upset that the track impounded cars and even more so that the track didn't tell the drivers ahead of time so they could prepare. I don't see any reason for the track to do this and I would bet that this will be the nail in the coffin for some drivers because they won't want to spend money on a war wagon for this level racing. Wouldn't it just be easier to tech every car before qualifying and before the race along with the top 5 after the race, and maybe the top 5 after qualifying? Or does the track think the guy who qualifies 12th is cheating (not to mention if they are would anyone care being that they are 12th)? Impounding the cars only accomplishes two things, ensures the precious track record stays intact and PO the drivers that would like to make modifications to their car based on changing track conditions (or lack of tires in the tire barn).

I would have to say that most of the wrecked race cars were a result of impounding the cars. Of course the leader break checking the field didn’t help, nor did the few that jumped the start and passed on the inside before the start finish. But that is nothing new. Now that half the field is wrecked and upset with the new racing format, I’m sure the next race will see a dramatic reduction in car count.

[dave]

I think an impound race is fine but you have to tell the competitors before hand. What they were thinking? They ran out of tires? That's unacceptable under any circumstance.

[wayfast01]

Does it really suprise anyone that the tire barn wasn't prepared? I am hoping just once this year that they show up when the racers do! In the 3 years I have been out at the Bullring, the tire people have not once been prepared when the pits opened, they often show up an hour after we get there.....them running out of tires is just another example of how ill prepared they are and that there is a great need to replace them!!

[a]

I don't see why the track can't run the tire barn. Why is a middleman needed? The track requires the class to race on the tires purchased from the tire barn and the money supposedly goes into the points fund. If the track runs the tire barn they can easily keep track of who has purchased what which will help them find the teams that may not be buying any or all of their tires from the tire barn. It will increase the money they put towards the points fund because they won't have to pay a middleman to run the place. It will be easier for the track to order tires when the inventory runs low because the track does have full time employees working there as opposed to a local parts store picking up extra work by running the tire barn on the side. It will ensure it is open when the track opens so everyone can get what they need. It will remove the unfair advantage of having a local competitor also in change of the tires. It will be easier for the track to brand the tires, if it is even needed, when the tire shipment gets in as opposed to when the drivers buy the tires…… and on and on and on…

[dave]

There is probably a dealer relationship as part of the tire money. That typically works like the fuel where Hoosier pays the track a fee for the exclusivity then works with a dealer to move the product. I know some tracks sell them but with the right dealer it shouldn't be a problem. It looks to me like they might not be well capitalized to supply that many tires. Who sells the tires at Irwindale?

[teammtrsprts]

FYI,

LVMS has the account that buys all the tires from Hoosier. LVMS made almost 30k off tire sales at the Fall classic last year.

American just runs the barn and collects the money. They get a small fee for doing so.

A few years ago LVMS tried to run the barn it was hard for them to get employees to do it.

There has been several contractors that have tried to run the barn but found out it was not worth their time. They could not make a profit.

Last year Bear raced at IRP to ensure there was no conflict of interest. I am guessing that is not an issue anymore?

I am surprised that LVMS ran out of tire so soon, simple business sense say "you can make money if you have no product or service to sell"!

[a]

From what I have seen, it doesn't look like anyone really has tires mounted at the track (I could be wrong though). And I have seen a lot more track officials this year. You would think the track could get a small inventory together, brand everything right when they come in (if they feel it is still needed) then just have an official hand out tires and collect the money. I'll bet it would be easier, cheaper and faster to get tires. All the track would have to do is order the same amount of tires they sold the race before to keep their inventory up. The only drawback I can see is the occasional team that needs a tire or 2 mounted due to a flat or something like that. But I'll bet if they just had a machine there for anyone to use, it would take care of that issue.

Just an observation though, I could be way off on this.

[wayfast01]

Having a tire mounting machine available for anyone to use, trained or not, is a big liability option. I have a novel approach though, how about just having some one who is reliable run the tire barn, some one who has the capability to actually arrive on time for the job and stay until they are no longer needed. The usual MO for the tire barn is arrive 1-2 hours late and leave as soon as qualifying is over....They are a joke! The two times I have been in need of getting a tire mounted by them I have had to wait over two hours for the person who mounts the tire to show up on site. Hopefully I will never be in that position again.

[lvracefan]

As a fan not my battle with the tires but doesn't seem to make it a driver friendly operation with the short hours. At minimum, track needs to be sure they are there on time at opening time so at least teams can get new tires mounted before practice and qualfying. Hopefully this will be resolved by track since issue brought up here.

Irwindale does the same style impound so not sure how that would PO most of the drivers. I did notice that first race qualifying speeds were much faster and not so fast this time. Is that due to impound? Now the racers have advance notice will that affect next week's qualfying times?

Agree that brake checking was bad all race esp the start (that caused the original back up) so they need to just make an example of some of the blatent drivers and that will stop. This backup may be what caused the 15 and/or 88 car to start their version of lets play demo derby.