Post by gtigers55 on Oct 10, 2016 23:22:02 GMT
Here's the link to the article I'm discussing.
Thought this was an interesting idea. Michigan isn't exactly a hotbed for sprint car racing, so the tire change they did really sharpened up the racing and the competition. Basically the premise is Hoosier made a special set of rear wheels for the series, which were made to try to even out the differences between a shiny, new 410 engine, a 20 year old 410 engine, and 360 or 305 engines so all the classes could run as one sprint car feature. Secondly, the tires are slightly cheaper than non-SOD tires, even though they are especially made for them.
If you don't read any of the article or click the link, this is the part that is intriguing to me:
Now, I've seen some of these 305 Michigan guys, namely Dan McCarron and Thomas Schinderle, come down and race at Attica Raceway Park and Fremont Speedway in northwestern Ohio. The home of the FAST 305 series and to my knowledge the best 305 sprint racing in the country. My support for this statement is Bobby Clark was #1 rated 305 in country last year (FAST champion) and Paul Weaver this year (FAST champion). Both drivers are decently competitive in the 305 class with Dan McCarron picking up a win at Fremont and I believe one at Attica as well and finishing 4th in track points at Attica (attended all 305 points races). McCarron and Schinderle had both had a few top 3 finishes which in a way shows that an above average 305 car (at least) can compete with 410 engines in the region.
I believe that for tracks putting on sprint shows with low car counts, potentially due to income of the region, may benefit from something like this. However, I don't think this is something that should become the norm in the world of 410 racing. IMO the racing seems good to me from what I hear in PA and the Midwest, and I know it certainly is running strong in Ohio with 3 touring series (FAST, OSCS, OVSCA) currently operating primarily within Ohio besides the All Stars.
What do you all think about the rule? Do you think it should be adopted elsewhere to promote more competitive and economical racing?
Thought this was an interesting idea. Michigan isn't exactly a hotbed for sprint car racing, so the tire change they did really sharpened up the racing and the competition. Basically the premise is Hoosier made a special set of rear wheels for the series, which were made to try to even out the differences between a shiny, new 410 engine, a 20 year old 410 engine, and 360 or 305 engines so all the classes could run as one sprint car feature. Secondly, the tires are slightly cheaper than non-SOD tires, even though they are especially made for them.
If you don't read any of the article or click the link, this is the part that is intriguing to me:
Most 2016 races were won by 410s. If engine equality was achieved, this was to be expected since most competitors ran 410s. But among the 410 wins were four by previous generation motors. Three by Brian Smith’s 410 -12 that, as dyno testing shows, has no horsepower advantage over current, high dollar 360s. At Crystal Motor Speedway, Stevie Irwin won with his 410 -12×12 motor and Dustin Stroup finished second with his 410 -12 motor.
Ryan Ruhl had two convincing wins with his 360 as well as a second in only four SOD races. Although there were no 305 wins, there easily could have been if not for late race cautions on a couple occasions; 305s did have second and third place finishes.
Ryan Ruhl had two convincing wins with his 360 as well as a second in only four SOD races. Although there were no 305 wins, there easily could have been if not for late race cautions on a couple occasions; 305s did have second and third place finishes.
I believe that for tracks putting on sprint shows with low car counts, potentially due to income of the region, may benefit from something like this. However, I don't think this is something that should become the norm in the world of 410 racing. IMO the racing seems good to me from what I hear in PA and the Midwest, and I know it certainly is running strong in Ohio with 3 touring series (FAST, OSCS, OVSCA) currently operating primarily within Ohio besides the All Stars.
What do you all think about the rule? Do you think it should be adopted elsewhere to promote more competitive and economical racing?
