3/8/2016
IRA Interstate Racing Association
Notes from Meeting 3/6/16
Discounted Memberships thru March, Prices go up to normal price on April 1st. Don't delay and cost yourself money. As a reminder, drivers racing for points and contingencies are required to purchase a IRA Gold Membership which also includes an excess (above personal and track insurance) $100,000 insurance policy.
Meeting updates included some rule clarifications, such as kingpin tethers will be required beginning opening night. We took a raise of hands from teams represented, and it was split, whether to allow the new Hoosier W18 RR tire as an option. Those opposed are content with the H series RR we have been running, and which has been the dominant tire in 410 racing contested thus far. I incorrectly stated the Donny Schatz won Vegas on the W18, as he had run the 18 in all events prior. Hoosier confirmed with me yesterday that Schatz won on the 16" H15. Being that we have enough teams requesting we allow the 18 option, despite its' lack of early success, we are moving forward at this time in allowing both the H and W RR tire options. To clarify, the softest 16" is the H15, the new W18 is a 20 compound and made of a similar construction to the H though slightly harder. We confirmed square tail tanks are NOT going to be allowed. We discussed slip tubing which some of our teams utilize in their safety bars. We will continue to allow it (at least for 2016) in the safety bars only, but absolutely will NOT in any other locations. Teams should be aware that the WoO, Allstars, Knoxville/NSL are NOT allowing any slip-tubing so anyone utilizing it must be prepared to weld or bolt it to be legal in their events. Also, a 2" wickerbill will be allowed, (not 2" more, but overall 2"). I failed to discuss it, BUT helmets must be either SA10 or SA15 rated. We will no longer consider SA05 helmets legal. Remember belts should NOT be more than 2 years old either. We are allowing the front mount mag for now, but will make a firm stand against it if heads or intakes take a technology turn because of it. Also, wheel covers are a problem and we'll remove any damaged wheel cover we see, before it flies off.
We talked about some procedures as well, the most notable will be us looking to move the initial chalk start line past the exit of turn 4 and onto the front straight some.... not down all the way to the flag stand by any means, but far enough down to get the first few rows on the straight itself. We believe this will create more fair and clean starts.
We discussed additional insurance options that exist for individual drivers or teams, regarding even
more excess medical above what we provide that can be purchased thru STIDA, see http://www.stida.com/ and receive a $50 discount by mentioning you are an IRA member..... and that K&K has Off Track & Storage programs that cover your equipment from theft, vandalism, fire, etc while in your shop or trailer.
We mentioned that IRA is also "sanctioning", by providing rulebook, member insurance, contract language, etc to the wingLESS crate class which began at Wilmot last year that now goes by the Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Series. It will absolutely remain primarily a weekly Wilmot division with a few outside shows thrown in. There is strength in numbers.
We are definitely and strongly endorsing the election of this area's safety pioneer Gil Radtke to the Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame. You must be a member of the HoF to vote, and can easily become one by subscribing to their newsletter, cost is $20. The HoF is part of the magnificent Wisconsin Automotive Museum located in Hartford. Ballots are located in their newsletter and must be cast by April 1st. Ironically I will be a guest speaker at their March 12th function, at the HoF this Saturday March 12th between 10 & 2. Come join me, Gil, and several others from IRA this Saturday at 147 N. Rural St in Hartford.
Also we confirmed that all 2016 purses will pay a minimum of $2500 to win, and $300 to start and will have 24 car A-main starting fields.
IRA is celebrating our 50th anniversary season in 2016 and we have many special events planned to celebrate our past, and look forward to bringing many historic IRA figures to various events to be honored and remembered.
Please forward your team's press releases and we'll help promote you, plus we want to know your plans too and would like to include as many positives as possible in our own series releases. And get those memberships in please.
Thank You,
Steve
Submitted By: Kim Tennyson
