From Todd Staley, President USRAThinking about racing at Route 45 Raceway? The USRA always has the racer at the forefront of every decision and is working to be a much-needed alternative to what racers in this region have had in the past. We understand that rules changes effect racers in different ways, and no sanctioning body is perfect, but the mission of the USRA is improving the bottom line of both the racer and the track operator. Last weekend, most of the drivers who competed at the Route 45 Raceway had nothing but praise for B.J. McCammon and Michael Burmeister for their hard work and paying the full purse as advertised. For the drivers that attended the show, whether a long-time regular or long-distance traveler, thank you for your support. With great points funds, smart rules and a great insurance program for racers and their cre members, the USRA will do what is necessary to help out new tracks in areas where the USRA is the new kid on the block. The USRA rulebook is exactly what this area has needed for decades, but in the short term we understand the cost to change a lot of stuff can be very expensive. So, the Route 45 Raceway and USRA have agreed on a phase-in of the USRA rules to allow drivers to race at this great facility. If you raced last year, you can come give the Route 45 Raceway and USRA a try with minimal changes from last season. We ask is that by June 1 all rear tires must be the American Racer KK-704, and all four by July 1. As a company, American Racer has been catering to the grassroots weekly racer longer than anybody, and they are a huge supporter of both the track and national points funds awarded by the USRA. As far as the other rules that you have been running in the past, we are going to give you the year to get in alliance with the USRA rules. But remember, if you plan on racing under the USRA banner anywhere else, you will have to be 100% legal under USRA rules. On another note, it will be very hard to grow in an area when other race promoters look at the results and say 'Wow, there weren’t many cars there,' but after years of racers in this region screaming for a change, opportunity is knocking and the promoters of the Route 45 Raceway are the ones who stepped up, put on their big boy pants and took the bull by the horns. Now it is time for the racers to step up and support this race tracki.
