OWM's at Modoc, CJ Rayburn and the class of the Future...

[Duane Goins]

For Immediate Release
Whiteland, Indiana

C.J. Rayburn Race Cars will host its fall Chassis Seminar on Friday, November 27, 2009. Pre-registration is requested by calling toll-free 1-877-828-8232, or by visiting the website www.cjrayburn.com. The day will begin with a continental breakfast at 8:30, and the seminar begins at 9:00 a.m. EST. The program will address such issues as basic set-up, tires, physics and geometry of a race car, adjustments for different track conditions, the business aspects of a race team and the forecast for the future of dirt racing. Cost is $200.00, and each attendee will receive a gift certificate for Rayburn-Manufactured parts. Lunch and will be provided.

In addition to the 14TH annual Open House, Rayburn’s new series, NASRA( National All Stars Racing Association) will celebrate its inaugural season with a banquet to be held on Friday, November 27, 2009 at the Whiteland, Indiana manufacturing facility. The festivities include a complimentary light supper buffet at 7:30 pm. The evening events are free and open to all race fans, teams, drivers and sponsors. There is no charge for the evening, but RSVP’s would be appreciated. Please call the shop at 1-877-828-8232 to reply. Please join us to celebrate another successful racing season.

[Mera]

Wow!!!!! Where do I begin...... Jeff and I have been involved in the owm for some time ( God rest his soul) We were there when Carolina Clash had them. It was the owner of the Clash that pulled the plug. He did not want to bother with them any more. Jim Long was a part of that group. He was in charge of the series at that time, and ran a heck of a show. Jeff and I put on several shows on our own, I-20 ran them, Modoc ran them, and yes they started out strong and then would drop in count.There are many owm drivers out there looking for a place to run. I'm sure 2-3 track gets boring after awhile. The owm are a great class. I love them , and the drivers.... you could NOT ask for better people. As for Fastrak.... Jeff was OWM director, we ran the series for the first year. Mr. Lester decided there was not enough cars in that class, so once again that class was dropped. Once the Clash, and Fastrak stopped running the owm Jeff and I put on 4 races a year. I busted my *** getting sponsorship for the purse, pounding the streets to get all the money I needed for the purse. I always had my money, and much more. I had heat race winner $$$$$, I had 5' or 6' trophy for the winner of the main event, and I've even had the dash for cash with $$$$ going to the winner. I have car counts as low as 14 and I have had counts as high as 21. Trust me... I am not bragging...simply stating facts. I know of a owm driver himself who put on a race and financed the entire thing himself, and LOST money. I would be willing to do anything to get this class going again.If you have 6-8 owm every week or 6-8 front wheel drives which would you want to watch every week?
Me... OWM!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mera]

HR69..... You are very wrong.... Modoc has not given the owm a chance in 2 years so where do you get that they have ran them for the past 3 yrs?

[hr69]

Originally Posted by Mera

HR69..... You are very wrong.... Modoc has not given the owm a chance in 2 years so where do you get that they have ran them for the past 3 yrs?

first of all notice the date of this post- June 09- Duane has a habit of bringing up old posts to make his up to date point.

Second, 2009 is the first year that Modoc has not run the OWM's for some time. Chris Henry group had the track first part of 08- not 100% but I know he had a race or two with the OWM. Richard Clew won one of those. GP tried them- not good turnout either. Screven tried for a while-no cars on a regular basis. All ended up cancelling the weekly shows.

Maybe you should re-read my post. here it is...........Some of the best racing @ Modoc (even with a few cars). The interest in this area is not there for the OWM.

here's your quote that proves my point-----Jeff was OWM director, we ran the series for the first year. Mr. Lester decided there was not enough cars in that class, so once again that class was dropped. I know of a owm driver himself who put on a race and financed the entire thing himself, and LOST money.

All that being said why would anyone expect a track promotor to run this class and lose money each week with them?

not sure why you (and others) feel the need to argue on here about this. your posts say exactly what I did, just in your words.......NOT ENOUGH PARTICIPTION... I guess some just enjoy arguing.

[Mera]

Not argueing just stating facts.

[dirtracer671]

i think they need to start a fwd series.

owm was a good class but everybody either converted to hobby or got a crate owm's aint a big thing around here.

[tutt71]

I love the concept of modifieds. They are supposed to be cheaper to operate than a late model. The problem around here is that the racers don't usually want to conform to what actually makes this class work out in the middle of the country. The engine claim is why there are so many of these cars out that way. Every time (and I do mean EVERY time) they have tried them here they (the racers)wanted the engine claim to be $1500 or more. Or have no claim at all. Then they wanted spoilers. Then they wanted quickchanges. Then they wanted 10 inch wheels. Then they wanted open tire rules. Pretty soon, the class costs too much to run. So guys who can't afford to be competitive with those new rules stop racing. In the midst of it the haves start lobbying the promotor for more money. Car counts are down(because of the rule changes). Promotors just say to heck with it and drop the class. IMCA classes DON'T fail when they go by IMCA rules and follow IMCA guidelines for payout. They are the most popular dirt car in the US.

Now about Rayburns deal: I have had a lot of respect for Rayburn for a long time. He has been an innovator for many years. However, I don't follow his thinking on this new thing. If it has a tube chassis and big tires it just as well be a late model. Anyone who says you can't find these frames anymore must have thier eyes closed. When I decided to build some Imca's a few weeks ago, I got on the phone and within 20 minutes had 10 of them (frames) located within 10 miles of my shop. There will be a time when frames become scarce, but it is not here yet. Now the older chevelle frames have become hard to get salvage. That is not a problem either. The builders(dirt works etc) who use chevelle frames have started buying new stampings and welding them together themselves.

There is a track near me that has just been purchased by new owners. They haven't made an official announcement yet about ownership but the rumor is out in the Greenville area. I know these folks real well, and together we have drawn up the plans to run IMCA for 2010. They are going to run full IMCA's and Sportmods. They are going to run them together with Sports weighing 2250 and fulls weighing 2450. They may require the fulls to run a 500 2 barrel to keep the competion level up. I know if we keep the rules in check the class will survive.

I am building two new southern sport mods for myself right now. I already own a full modified and have a friend that has another. I am going to be selling new sport mods bare, rolling, or complete. This track has made a comitment to me and I told them I would have at least 6 cars there opening night. We are getting the website built right now and will launch it very soon. New bare frames will sell for $1450. If you order one before Dec 31 they will be $1250. You will be able to get them painted with decking and interior installed and brake lines run for $2400($2200 before Dec 31). A basic roller will cost $3100.

Anyone who has a car and wants to race please contact me through PM or call my shop, Affordable Auto, at 864-380-3898. I want to put together a list of people who will be racing.

[Sling-Shot Race Cars]

I like the full tube chassis idea, however your points on too many concessions, driving racers away is accurate. I also feel OWM could grow and be a great class, but for some reason everybody thinks a new class can spring up instantly. Consistency will attract people to race them, but dropping them, starting again, dropping them makes people leary to invest in an OWM. Follow IMCA to the letter, be consistant and give it time, demonstrate that investing in OWM isn't a suckers bet and it'll take hold. Poor management and impascience have been the killer. JMO.