The DIRT Exodus
Mike Mallett's "Fast 15"
Posted by Editor | 12/29/04
Weedsport, NY – Currently there is a mass exodus of tracks that are not willing to comply with the new DIRT Motorsports organization. Already the list includes Afton, Black Rock, Utica-Rome, and Woodhull. There is speculation that Fonda, Ransomville, and Orange County Fair Speedway will soon join that list.
Who will be next? That is the next question as we approach the January 14th deadline set by DIRT Motorsports as to when tracks must decide to sign their agreement. An agreement which has seemingly forced many promoters to choose which side of the fence they want to be on, and it seems more often than not that they’ve chosen to fall on the side of independence.
After speaking with a source that spoke on a condition of anonymity, Dirt Track Digest has been able to examine several aspects of the new contract. This contract is the very item that has been driving promoters out of the DIRT fold to see if they can make it as an independent entity.
In order to obtain sanctioning, tracks are forced to choose between a 1 yr agreement and a 3 yr agreement, $300 and $600 respectively. These tracks must then pay a weekly sanctioning fee based on what divisions they choose to sanction. If a track wants to sanction DIRT Modifieds it will cost them $150 weekly of which $25 will be kept by DIRT with $125 going back to the track at the end of the season for the point fund or at the sole discretion of the promoter. If these fees are not paid tracks are subject to a fine and/or loss of sanctioning.
DIRT memberships for the 2005 season will cost $75 for non-driving members and $100 for the Modified divisions. Of the 2004 membership fee, 40% will be given back to the DIRT track based solely on the 2004 track license revenue in a manner to be determined by the sole discretion of DIRT. Along with that 40%, $5 of every license sold at the speedway in 2005. Tracks are allowed to have their own track membership but the cost of this may not be more than $25.
Also according to this new agreement, DIRT is not liable for anything that takes place at its sanctioned tracks. “…and in connection with this sanction, releases and discharges DIRT, it’s subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all liability for personal injuries, and from all claims and demands for damages to real and/or personal property to any person as a result of the conduct of any sanctioned racing event.” And it goes on to list all the different areas in which DIRT is not liable basically making promoters 100% responsible for anything that happens at their track even if the event is DIRT sanctioned.
The largest issue that arises in the contract, which may be the real problem in this deal, is the new rules. Specifically in regards to the DIRT 358 Modifieds. Many drivers have made if very clear that they are upset with the institution of the new MSD system limiting their RPM’s. This new rule was implemented to save people money and to limit the amount of problems with performing technical inspections at the speedway. In the long run it will save money for drivers but the short term implications are astronomical for a low budget racer. In the new contract a track sanctioning the 358 Modified division must force its drivers to all follow the rule book or they may be subject to a loss of sanction or penalties deemed appropriate by DIRT.
Two other aspects of contention may be the fact that promoters must allow other promoters to advertise at all DIRT sanctioned tracks and any DIRT track that has a television or radio deal must give all of the revenue to DIRT unless otherwise specifically agreed upon in writing. What would happen with Utica Rome’s television deal if they were to sign with DIRT?
One side note that pertains to Modified and 358 drivers is that they will not be allowed to go down into Sportsman or Pro Stock ranks. “Drivers who purchase an annual driver’s license in the Big Block Modifieds or 358 Modified series may not race in either a DIRT sanctioned Sportsman or Pro-Stock Series race at any time.”
There are also several aspects besides the contract. Tracks have been frustrated by the lack of information coming from DIRT Motorsports in regards to the 2005 season as well as with the new ideas that have already been presented. Bobby Hartslief, on the most recent DIRT Nation broadcast, said DIRT is looking into sanctioning series races on the weekend. What does this mean to your local track, no more Billy Decker and Brett Hearn to fill the stands on a weekly basis? There is also talk of a forming a touring group of paid drivers. Is DIRT ready for its own version of the “Mean 15” or “Dirty Dozen?” Are our touring guys willing to forfeit their home track money in order to support a series consisting of 40 races?
With all of these changes taking place and a new contract being established what is going to become of DIRT. There is already talk that several new series’ are being formed including a series that is already taking shape headed by Kenny Shupp. The T-3 All Star Series for Southern Tier 358 Modified is a touring series that would allow drivers to visit several tracks located in the Southern Tier of New York as well as Northern Pennsylvania. With these new groups popping up is there going to be a new DIRT like organization in the near future?
It’s apparent to many of us that DIRT has seen better days; hopefully there is a bright future ahead. No one can see the future, but many of us know that presently DIRT may not the biggest kid on the block anymore and the timing could be right for another USNA to make its presence felt. The only guarantee is that we’ll all be at a racetrack in 2005, but whether that track flies the new DIRT banner remains to be seen.
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