NEW - Economy Late Model Series - Illinois

[MI Dirt Fan]

Limited and/or crate late models are the future of weekly late model racing.

Not with correct tech procedures and written rules banning certain type of add ons. Heard that 10 years ago. There was a guy around here had a bunch of crate motors lined up he paid for and with sponsorship money and they didn't last long. Not sure what happened to all those motors. I don't even think the crate class lasted an entire season. You can take a open motor out of car and put a crate motor in and it's still a $30k-40k+ car with all the light weight bolt ons and shock packages

[TheJet-09]

And obviously an economy class could possibly survive at any given track, but to try and make a series out of it? If I were looking to develop something like this, I would have to see a distinct need for it. If you had full late model fields, and full crate fields at the local tracks, and those who were unable to consistently make those shows were looking for something to fit their needs, then a class as such would make sense. But how often is there a full field in either of those classes at any central Illinois track?

The sportsman class used to be that middle ground between something entry level like a street stock, and the high dollar machines like modifieds and late models. But only Fairbury runs those (sportsman) anymore. Who knows, at least someone is putting forth the effort to keep the sport alive and growing.

[Forward Bite]

If a claim rule creates some animosity between some racers, so what ? animosity = excitement

[billetbirdcage]

If a claim rule creates some animosity between some racers, so what ? animosity = excitement

I for one don't like that fact that my car or driver can end up being caught up in an altercation that happens on the racetrack cause 2 other competitors are feuding over a something that started as a claim issue and take it out on each other during a race and others get our cars torn up in the process. None of that helps people bring cars every week.

I've seen guys that had no issue with each other before a claim and then it turns into a never ending battle of claiming guys back and eventually turns into on track altercations or gets turned into that even from something small like light unintentional contract but is perceived as getting back for a claim and just escalates from there.

The other part is many won't claim to help keep costs in check as to not ruffle feathers, then the whole point of the claim is pointless and don't control anything.

Not saying it can't work, but usually causes problems to a point no one claims.

[Bubstr]

Can you imagine a fan from the stands, claiming a car a probably cheating the owner out o a lot o labor hours and coming to race the next week. What are the odds that he never completes a race and gets claimed that night? Are these racers going to build economy cars or every fan that wants to race? It's not going to work. For a lot o people 12k is pocket money.

Another class is not what racing needs. There are too many 10 car Mains now. Boring and no fans equals no racing. This is for tracks that pay the purse, with the back gate. They need better rules for about 3 classes and make at least two of them a similar chassis, so there is a resale spot to make it cheaper or the top classes.

I think the shock and bump stop rules are good or limited LM now. Anyone caught with more than 8 shocks in the pits is DQed. You have to know, most will be spending on blue printing those heads and making them look as cast. A sand blast and acid etch will do a lot for a machined port. Ask any karter. Angle milling the heads is not very detectable, till you need spacers on the intake ports. If you don't like the cam, change the rockers. Limited engines get expensive also. I had a stock 350 in 67, that pumped more than 185 lbs. It would be great if there was good rules to cut costs. There just isn't.

[rickybrown1952]

I saw on their Facebook post that someone mentioned Brian Crebo. I have no idea if he's running it, but I believe he has a used racecar parts business down in the Peoria area, so a possible connection would make sense.

I asked what his name is he told me Brian Crebo

[golddirt]

That's the same info I got

[MI Dirt Fan]

I think a big problem with tech is where do you find a tech man with no vested interest in any team or influenced by any promoter or racer...I think thats hard to find... if I was a promoter I would find a tech guy from a different region of the country and would pay him a good salary...if you have honest tech man that does his job I think the cars would come in flocks to race there...On another point I seen bronson had an xr1 for sale 40,000 for I guess the chassis with the body on it..maybe shocks too...smh #costsoutofhand

Bronson has the car listed for $32,500 minus motor and seat only.

[golddirt]

Sounds like some racers just want to go out for a Sunday drive, don't scratch my car!!

[dirtkart30]

what to do ? getting back in it. rumor has it tracks here in the midwest are going imca rules for lms. with the crates and now the supposed imca rules wondering which way to go..

[golddirt]

I see Imca taking over

[dirtkart30]

ok i am thinking of buying imca late model with their spec.engine. i hope imca takes off here ?

[Bubstr]

The IMCA rules seem to work well in Ia, Ne and Mo. Deery bros. put on some great races and if the IMCA car wants to race open, you just change the engine. You can still make a engine as expensive as you can afford, but with the spec head, your not going to get your monies worth. The guys winning are doing it with talent and set ups. I know one that wins with a 5 6 year old engine. It sometimes feels like a shock rule would be good, but that makes it too hard to step up and do the open thing, when they are around. Lets face it. There will be no palatable limited rule package until the top series makes it. Until then, they will always be second class citizens.

[BadlandsBandit12]

sorry good luck getting drivers to race for 300 to win. Also if a said driver needs used tires and cannot find any, he cannot race right?

I think you can do better economy racing series!!!!!!

[mcarter815]

The IMCA rules seem to work well in Ia, Ne and Mo. Deery bros. put on some great races and if the IMCA car wants to race open, you just change the engine. You can still make a engine as expensive as you can afford, but with the spec head, your not going to get your monies worth. The guys winning are doing it with talent and set ups. I know one that wins with a 5 6 year old engine. It sometimes feels like a shock rule would be good, but that makes it too hard to step up and do the open thing, when they are around. Lets face it. There will be no palatable limited rule package until the top series makes it. Until then, they will always be second class citizens.

IMCA late models are suffering here in Iowa and it’s more than just changing the motor to run open. There are probably 200 late model drivers in Iowa and they are all off running under different sanctions. There is very little mixing. That means most tracks in Eastern Iowa are lucky to get consistent double digit late model counts weekly.