EXCITING NEW Drag Racing Series Opportunity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tom Welch]

Hello,

Anyone who has been interested in a formal venue to drag race our Dodge Vipers..and most importantly race against Corvettes and other possible candidates now has the opportunity to help all of us create this venue.

I have been negotiating with the National Muscle Car Assocation (NMCA)Ownership and with the help of one of my vendors, we have secured a special racing venue at the NMCA World Finals next weekend in Columbus Ohio. The NMCA is the Pinnicle of Muscle Car drag racing, they have established events throughout the year at the nations top facilities, prime time television coverage, and a long history of success through fair and honest class structure. Visit their website at http://nmca-racing.com

Your participation in this event....and I know its short notice, will be a key factor in establishing a Viper/Viper-Vette shootout at NMCA events beginning with their 2004 season. Take a look at the simple rules that will be in place for this first event and contact me if you are interested in participating. The NMCA is requesting an approximate participant head count for last minute advertising and television promotion. Several Corvette owners have already committed.

Here are the particulars and rules.

Event Date: September 27-28, 2003

Place: National Trail Raceway, Columbus Ohio

Venue: Viper/Vette Shootout

Entry fee: $ 75.00 for Car/Driver and as many "crew members" as can fit in your tow vehicle (normally $ 45.00 each)

Payout: Depends on the amount of cars per class. NMCA will payout 50% of all entry fees towards class winners, runner-ups, and possibly semi-finalists the day of the event.

BASIC Rules:

All participants to meet the following minimum specifications;

1. Total weight of car and driver to be at least 3400 pounds with NO ballast weight
2. Stock engine block and reciprocating assembly
3. Stock transmission, drivetrain, and rear end. Aftermarket axles allowed. Drivetrain safety equipment allowed.
4. Must have FULL interior and all convienence items operational
5. Must have registration, license, proof of insurance and be able to complete a 10 mile cruise if requested.
6. EFI only, no carburator replacements
7. Must have full exhaust exiting at factory location. No open headers
8. Must have factory installed suspension. No 4 Link, ladder bar or other aftermarket traction devices allowed.


THREE CLASSES based on the index system (classes are subject to change and revision after the first event in an effort to keep the venue as fair and inviting as possible for all participants)

12.00 Class rules

1. Must meet all of the above basic rules
2. Must use radial tire
3. Naturally aspirated only, no power adders

10.90 Class rules

1. Must meet all of the above basic rules
2. Can run ANY DOT Approved tire
3. .50 break out moves to next faster class
4. Power adders allowed

9.90 Class rules

1. Must meet all of the above basic rules
2. Can run ANY DOT Approved tire
3. NO break out applies
4. Power adders allowed


All racing will be heads up on a .500 PRO TREE

Please email or contact me with any requested information concerning this event. This is a turn-key operation that we have an opportunity to take advantage of. The NMCA promotes these events, advertises and hosts them, and is making space for us to participate in hopes that the Viper/Vette venue will further increase race fan attendance. I hope to see you there!

Tom

P.S. I am going to start soliciting the VCA for their interest and possible assistance towards this racing series venue. Any assistance that you may have would be appreciated. This is NOT my event, I have been asked to help start this as part of the opportunity that we have to take advantage of an existing and successfull racing venue. If any tuners, suppliers or vendors wish to sponsor this inagural event and subsequent events, please contact me or the NMCA event staff directly.

 

[Dr Roof]

Thanks TOM

I just got the info and this is a great opportunity to further the Cause of a Viper Series!

I have changed my plans to attend atlanta Test n Tune for a real Drag Racing Venue! Even on TV!!!

I missed an exciting time in ohio at the Nationals but hopefully some of the people will come back and have some more fun!

IF we have a good turnout this will become a permanant Drag Racing series across the country!!!

 

[1TONY1]

NMCA already has an index efi class. When the NSCA and NMCA merged they went south in a hurry...changed perfectly good classes around...went to less than half the car count. Before the change, In 2000 and 2001 I won six or seven events and runner upped at 2 or three. I hope the NMCA chokes on their tongue.

 

[Tom Welch]

Roof,

I look forward to seeing you there!

Tony1,

Does that mean you are not coming?? LOL...NMCA is creating this venue specifically for us, as I sold them on the fact that attendance would increase due to the popularity and crowd draw of the Viper. WE WILL GET TO CREATE THE CLASS STRUCTURE. Come on up and run that "suprize" Viper at a real drag racing event!

Tom

 

[1TONY1]

I will be at the Atlanta Zone deal that weekend. I ran NMCA (real events, 19 of them) for two years towing all over the place and it got old. Did make some good money. Each win was worth between $4,000 and $5,000 in contingency and I was still tired of it....then they screwed up the efi classes and I no longer had to worry about it. :cry: Could we please get some more Graemlins on here.

 

[1TONY1]

I know this is a way to get a foot in the door then set up rules but make sure everyone realizes that index racing is basically bracket racing......you are just dialing the car in to the index instead of using your better times to pick a dial in. If you are ahead at the finish then you need to let off the throttle and/or hit the brakes. Peeu

 

[Tom Welch]

Tony,

Thats NOT correct about indexing. As an example, for this event's 10.90 class, a car can run QUICKER/FASTER than 10.90....as quick as 10.40 before being moved to the next quicker class. The breakout is set at .500 quicker than the index. Take a look at NHRA Competition Eliminator or SS/Stock classes. This will be similar but much easier and will not be handicapped by user modifications.

This event's 10.90 class as well as the two other classes will be heads up racing on a pro tree, no letting off the throttle, let the fastest car win. The index only sets the precedence for how fast a single car or group of cars can go without moving UP to the quicker/faster indexed class.

The 9.90 class at this event will host cars that are quicker than 10.40 and quicker than 9.90! There is no breakout for the 9.90 class, so everyone runs heads up and goes as fast as they can from a pro tree.

Tom

P.S. The "pro tree" is widely used in professional racing as it is very difficult to red light on a pro tree start. There is no worse way to loose a race than with a red light before the race even gets started.

Tom

 

[Tom Welch]

An update,

Here is a link to National Trail Raceway in Columbus. It is a state of the art facility with a very nice website. You can find directions and accomodations for the nearby area as well as browse upcoming events.

http://www.nationaltrailraceway.com

Tom

 

[1TONY1]

If that's the case Tom.....much better. I was basing it off the way NMCA has always ran (and still is) its index classes which is with a break out.

http://nmca-racing.com/modules.php?s=&name=Rules&file=2003efi

I'm sure you have....but I would make CERTAIN they understand this. There are a lot of us that got ****** around by Tony Depillo when Nmca and NSCA combined. It became more NSCA which was unfortunate since the NSCA was going south. Up until that point the NMCA was owned by Hot Rod magazine and was kickin butt. Sorry to sound like I hate the NMCA

 

[Mopar Steve]

I will be there. We are cruising up with a group from Kahuna's here in Wilmington. Motel reservations already made! See you there.

 

[Anthony - 98 GTS]

Tom -

Sounds like a great event - just need to give more time for people to make plans to get there.

One question - Rule #2: Stock engine block and reciprocating assembly. Does this mean no stroker motors and no forged pistons on Creampuff's??

 

[Dr Roof]

Tom

what Hotel should we get???

 

[Tom Welch]

Anthony,

Thanks for the question...NO strokers. Aftermarket forged pistons OK. Stock crankshaft and connecting rods. Vipers and Vettes are both plagued with the Hyperutectic Pistons and a piston change along with headwork, cam and the other usual "top end" mods are allowed.

Roof,

I looked last night and may choose the Holiday Inn East Columbus...simply because I can stay at no charge with platinum points(and its not too far from the track). The website for the track lists several hotels...let me know if you are familiar with the area and maybe we can pick one.

Tom

 

[Viperzilla]

I'll see if I can attend. There's another Ohio State game I'm going to that weekend with visiting family. What time will the Viper races be on Sat/Sun. Is it already determined, or further down the road?

 

[pdmracing]

Tom I dont see your name on the Zone Rendevouse list?? Whats up with that?
Pete M

 

[Tom Welch]

Hi Pete,

Thats because I will not be attending. I'm a drag racer, the autocross and road course functions are nice, but just not my cup of tea. The Friday night venue at the Atlanta test and tune conflicts with the Chauteu Elan reception...and I would be torn between a track full of fart can honda's and an open bar full of Sambucca.LOL.

I wish this NMCA event did not conflict with the Zone event, but the dates are out of my control. I feel a loyalty to other Viper drag racers and MUST attend this function as a means to an end with regards to finding the Viper community a much needed and wanted drag racing venue. I welcome your support as much as I hate to miss the Zone event. Thanks in advance for your assistance, should you choose to, in helping the Viper community add another great opportunity to our existing fine functions.

Tom

 

[Cudaman]

It is a loooooooong drive to Ohio. I guess it is in the Florida drag racing blood.

Good Luck Tom......

Cudaman

 

[Tom Welch]

Cudaman,

Yea it is....lots of M&M's and Coffee.........Part of the reason why I did not go to the Norwalk event, I did not think I'd have the energy to go "back to Ohio" again...LOL

BTW, nice job holding up the Florida flag last weekend!

Tom

P.S. I'm working with Lee in an effort to have them come up to Columbus Saturday afternoon when they are done on the track in road atlanta........(Lee's idea actually...bless his heart!) Maybe the M2Crew would be players as well? The eliminations are on Sunday.

 

[1TONY1]

Tom, I don't understand no strokers/stock rods/stock crank. Makes no sense. What if the stroker was n/a ? What other makes might there be for next year ? Stick an auto f-body or Mustang in there and Vipers will be getting drilled on the tree and in consistency. Just dial the car in on a 10.45 and go round after round. Does 12.00 have a .50 breakout also ?

 

[Tom Welch]

Tony,

The rules where more designed around those other brands that you speak so highly of. You must also note that the rules state stock suspension with no traction aiding devices..which are common among Mustangs and F-bodies. The NMCA already has classes in place for these vehicles.

The design of this venue is for specialty cars like the Viper. Face it, fans love Vipers, people in general LOVE Vipers. If we can find a turn key, tracks already rented, races advertised, televised, hosted, safety safaried, just go race with the fastest in the land opportunity..and in return, offer increased attendance via the fact that EVERYONE LOVES TO WATCH VIPERS....don't you think we should take advantage of it??

As for breakouts, the 12.00 class has no index breakout at this event....note that no power adders are allowed. Simple items like smooth tubes, high flow cats, cat backs and other items that add up to such a minimal horsepower gain will not make a difference in a radial tire class. If this becomes a problem, more classes can be added by adding an index.

Remember from my first post....this is the first of its kind, and a one time opportunity to basically..enter the NMCA's house, raid their television, drink their beer and maybe even sleep with their women!....and do it several times during their busy racing schedule....all at no cost to us other than the entry fee..which we pay out to ourselves if we win! THINK ABOUT IT!

Tom

P.S.

I can already tell you that should we be afforded this venue for the 2004 NMCA season, there will be more classes, based on the index system of course, maybe even a stroker class. Keep in mind that these rules are designed to even the playing field between Vipers and competitive vehicles.....not to restrict Vipers from racing each other.

 

[1TONY1]

I think you are doing a great thing Tom.....I am trying to limit my negative posts to my first ones. These are just some things I was wondering about based on racing with these same guys for two years. A Viper/Vette (6 speed) only would be nice.

 

[Larry Macedo]

Tom,
I'd love to be there with you guys, but after this last trip to Norwalk and Atlanta next week, I'd have some unhappy clients with cars in the shop. You'll do a great job representing Florida and I'm sure you'll walk away the Victor! Good luck and give me a buzz sometime.

 

[pauls]

Who is going to tech for the limitations in the class modifications? You going to P&G the vets and vipers?

When is NMCA going to post the details on their site?

 

[Tom Welch]

Paul,

I have been asked to help with tech for this inaugrual event, as well as maybe the first event of next season, should we secure this venue. Its a no brainer teching Vipers as the elapsed time is pretty evident of a cars modifications and most of us know each other.

As for checking the fine details of each car, we are not going to worry about that for next weekends event, as I mentioned in the above sentence, its easy to sniff out a ringer...we all know what Corvettes and Vipers should run. So Paul, bring that heads and cam car out...I won't tell anyone!

The NMCA webmaster was injured in an accident on his way to their last event..last weekend I believe, and is still hospitalized so nothing has been added to their website in the last week. If you go to their website, on the homepage there is mention of the Viper/Vette shootout and a "stay tuned" indication.

Larry,

Thanks for the plug..I understand your issue. As for being the "Victor", my victory will come should we secure this venue and be able to have a REAL drag racing series that piggy-backs on the most successful muscle car drag racing series in existance! Winning at this event is secondary for me..first and foremost is getting on the radio and television and stoking our vehicles and what we can bring to the NMCA in attendance and participation in return for jumping on their event schedule. Don't get me wrong...I'm gonna LAY THE CUT STRAIGHT on anyone who lines up in the other lane..LOL!

Tom

 

[pdmracing]

Tom were going to miss you @ the zone meet but kick some A$$!

 

[Tom Welch]

bumb

 

[Tom Welch]

again

 

[1TONY1]

Anthony,

Thanks for the question...NO strokers. Aftermarket forged pistons OK. Stock crankshaft and connecting rods.


Tom

Tom, I hope that is not set in stone. Stroker could be a "no power adder" and the crank and especially the rods make no sense.

 

[Tom Welch]

Tony,

As time goes on there will be stroker classes. There will not be any Vipers NOT allowed to participate in this venue...even a class for highly modded cars like the Charter Viper and Sir Hiss.

There are not enough fast stock engine corvettes that can keep up with cars like ours.....so from that fact alone the near future will have a broader range of classes..guaranteed.

So quit your freakin whining and come race...LOL......too bad I'm not driving through ATL or I'd give you some action with my "luxury truck" LOLLOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Tom

 

[1TONY1]

I'm not whiiiining. I have none of the above, but if I had after market rods I would really like to know how that would help me go faster. I'm guessing most all aftermarket cranks would be stroked. If you skeeeered to race the truck then go ahead and go up the east coast