Ultimate Battle Of the Bluegrass (BOB) 2016 Schedule. 18 Races with 4 more possible.

[SnakeX3]

There are a lot of names I recognize that aren't around anymore, tracks and drivers. I always like reading stuff like this, just never really think about looking on there.

That is the really cool thing about having a DoD subscription. After looking back at the names that ran the BoB in 2004 and then seeing 153j's post I've been going through their video archives (again). I just watched a videocast from March 2009 that had an interview with Billy Moyer Sr (among others) that was great. Having all that old stuff at your disposal makes for a cool way to kill time during the off-season.

[bb14]

That is the really cool thing about having a DoD subscription. After looking back at the names that ran the BoB in 2004 and then seeing 153j's post I've been going through their video archives (again). I just watched a videocast from March 2009 that had an interview with Billy Moyer Sr (among others) that was great. Having all that old stuff at your disposal makes for a cool way to kill time during the off-season.

I hate to be negative but these series contributed to the demise of weekly SLM racing in the south. Worst of all the weekly headliners were replaced with crates. Crowds fell off because of no supers and the tracks suffered. I do not wish bad for anyone but I do hope that Florence and 201 do not sign up and give their weekly guys incentive to follow the series.

It is sad that I live in SC but I travel north to see SLM racing and see more racing 4 or more hours away from home than I do in my home state. Florence has become my favorite track and it is 7 hours away!

On a side note if the local crates put on a decent show I may watch one. However they are on softish tires that allow never lifting so we only get to see glorified go kart racing. Crate racing stated down here and were mandated D55 tires. The racing wasn't half bad and I watched many. However after allowing 1350 and FT200 tires I saw about 3 or 4 and got bored very quickly. Just my 2 cents.

[flagone]

bb14 I am going to respectfully disagree with you. Weekly SLM racing in the south was killed be rising costs. Racers costs have skyrocketed and so have the costs for promoters. Promoters can't afford to pay what it takes to keep SLM guys racing every week. In fact if it weren't for series racing there likely would be NO SLM racing in the south right now. The series just fill a need to allow guys to race for a little better purse thereby giving them a better chance of paying their bills.

[bb14]

bb14 I am going to respectfully disagree with you. Weekly SLM racing in the south was killed be rising costs. Racers costs have skyrocketed and so have the costs for promoters. Promoters can't afford to pay what it takes to keep SLM guys racing every week. In fact if it weren't for series racing there likely would be NO SLM racing in the south right now. The series just fill a need to allow guys to race for a little better purse thereby giving them a better chance of paying their bills.

I agree with you respectfully also that rising costs is the biggest issue with racing. I even find it humorous that Lucas is concerned with a $400 spring rod vs $40 4 bar when the real problems are in plain site. The series did contribute. I did not mean to imply that was the only factor.

Our racing took the biggest hit with SASEast competing with Clash. Buffs were the biggest factor. Yeah costs had cut the fields but look at what they did. Limit supers to 358 one year then run limiteds only then allow specs with modifications with a mini series. Dumbest of all was to print if it looks like a late model then the fans want care. Guess what. We do care. I like many of my friends do not care for crates. I don't have a problem with limiteds because they were just as fast and sometimes had better racing. And the Buffs have the filthiest facilities around.

Back to the point. The competition of the series did help contribute to the end because the tracks took up crates. Late models should all be one class. Let the big boys run open tires. Even they are now complaining. Guess the real beef is with Hoosier. Their the ones that fought the Clash too. Probably the originators.

I saw it down here and I do not want to see it up there.

[bb14]

I understand your position also Flagone. You have done so much for racing and have my respect as well as many others. You have a job and do it extremely well. However there is a problem with racing and I do not want it to keep spreading.

I only feel that we have too many regional series.

Of course my thoughts have flaws because there are areas where there are many SLMs running weekly. I guess in the end the promoters are the biggest problem. Or is it Hoosier. Or is it the engines. Or the racers themselves. Thanks for allowing me to think.

I still find it humorous that the DoD article gives an example of the $400 spring rod as a problem vs the $40 4 bar. I am just tired of having my intelligence insulted.

[flagone]

There were no series in KY and the surrounding area save for infrequent visits by us and Southern Nationals. Every promoter in the area that we talked to talked about their dwindling car counts in SLM. Guys stopped racing or started to travel because the couldn't race for the weekly purses. And in fact Ponderosa announced today that they won't be running SLMs weekly anymore. No series did that. And I am sure that others will begin to follow suit.

The tracks took up crates because that was what the guys could afford and they could afford to pay at the time. Those promoters were looking at their bottom line and trying to save their facility. I love late model racing more than any other form but I also love hobby stocks and 4 cylinders and anything else that puts on a show.

As for the open tire thing - Lucas and WoO both have been on limited compound rules for a few years now. I can tell the difference in speed when crates are racing vs other late models but the racing can be and is just as good many times. I have been around for all of that stuff you mentioned. I am from SC too and have been racing since birth. Been on both sides of the coin as a car owner / crew guy and as a racing official. The latter since 1994.

[flagone]

I appreciate the kind words. I care about racers and I want to do all I can to keep them racing.

I am with you on that illustration but I think that is just an example of what lies at the root. I think they only touched on the spring rods. They didn't go into split birdcages and multiple "shocks" and some of the more exotica of the suspensions.

When we built our own engines in the late 80s and early 90s we probably didn't spend but MAYBE $5000. The guys that were going to builders spent $10 to 15k

Today a high-quality builder in many cases gets $50k plus. That is insane.

Tires have only gone up around $30-40 in that same time. I used to pay $110 at Curt Durhams for our D20s. And now a tire is around $150. Not a super dramatic increase when compared to the other components.

[Barbecueboy]

He is referring to the ULTIMATE Series I am sure. But the series averaged 23 cars in a region that is struggling for SLM car counts. You can look at any event in the region and see that for yourself. However our track promoters, fans and racers seemed quite pleased with our program. We pay a $20,000 to win point championship which is the largest that I am aware of for any regional tour. Our sponsor list continues to grow each year and most of our tracks have returned and even grown their events. In 2016 we have a $20,000 and $15,000 to win one-day event along with the new Colonial Clash Championship which features events at 4 tracks in 4 days which pays a separate $15,000 point fund. We also have a couple of $10,000 to win shows and multiple $5000 to win events. Between ULTIMATE SE and BoB teams will compete for over $1 million dollars in purses. I guess that some folks think that car counts are the only sign of the quality of an event.

And just to clear up something - there are exactly 4 events that are co-sanctioned with ULTIMATE SE. All 4 are in Tennessee. The other 4 events you mention are National events which means they are not required for BoB points. However a BoB driver can use the finish at a National event to replace a worse finish on the BoB schedule.

It sure is a shame to have people put you down when you are working to do something to help a region that has no touring series. BUT the positive feedback and support far outweighs the negative comments that some detractors are spouting. I promise you that we will work hard to make this a success for the fans and drivers of that region.

I'm just wondering if the people that are griping about the car counts have actually even witnessed an ultimate show???

I've personally seen some epic ultimate shows............you guys do a fantastic job, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Especially the ones that have never seen the ultimates race in person.

[W2Racing09]

I appreciate the kind words. I care about racers and I want to do all I can to keep them racing.

I am with you on that illustration but I think that is just an example of what lies at the root. I think they only touched on the spring rods. They didn't go into split birdcages and multiple "shocks" and some of the more exotica of the suspensions.

When we built our own engines in the late 80s and early 90s we probably didn't spend but MAYBE $5000. The guys that were going to builders spent $10 to 15k

Today a high-quality builder in many cases gets $50k plus. That is insane.

Tires have only gone up around $30-40 in that same time. I used to pay $110 at Curt Durhams for our D20s. And now a tire is around $150. Not a super dramatic increase when compared to the other components.

Kelly touched on the motor issue. To me that is what is killing racing, or at least 90% of the issue. Shocks, and other components certainly are not helping. I can say one thing, I have the money to race -- but not the money to race Supers. If we were talking 15, or even 10 years ago I would say that I did have the money to run Supers. Maybe today you can build your own decent engine for $20k. But I can't, my job isn't as a mechanic or even anything close to it. In fact I've struggled to learn the other components of a race car, let alone a motor. I don't think I will ever have the amount of time required to learn how to assemble a SLM motor. My only option would be to go drop $40-$50k on a motor from a builder. At this point I've been priced out of the division. I can afford a lot of things but a $40-$50k motor that needs a $5-$10k refresh every so often is not one of them. That is why a spec or crate motor option is so attractive to me. I can buy a motor and not worry about it until I need to buy another one (for the price of a high end refresh) aside from general maintenance.

All I'm saying is if anyone wants to point the finger at someone for destroying weekly SLM racing, point it at the people who make money off of the business. At the very most the cost of a motor should rise at or slightly above the general level of inflation on all things. Dirt track cars have doubled in cost in just 10-15 years. That is way too much and that is why fewer and fewer people can afford to run at the bottom level of the top division anymore.

Get used to seeing Crates because they are going to be the headline at more and more tracks as time goes on.

Thanks,
Jeff.

[zach51]

I'd be curious to see how many toter-homes and trailers get repossessed in the winter.

[LMPunk]

There are a lot of names I recognize that aren't around anymore, tracks and drivers. I always like reading stuff like this, just never really think about looking on there.

I've wasted hours on DoD just looking back at results through the years. Never would've believed that to be possible before I came across Dirt on Dirt. Probably would be a lot more races in Kentucky for the new series here if not for all of the tracks that have closed, obviously. Still a good deal that I'm looking forward to supporting.

[FerLovesDirt!]

I have seen almost every Ultimate race at Virginia Motor Speedway, as I live about an hour away, & have never been disappointed! Granted the car counts haven't been off the charts but they don't have a weekly SLM class & that in itself has an impact on car count. The $$$ that is paid for their only 2 SLM races during the year, both Ultimates, is terrific. The facility is second to none & if you've never been there you're doing yourself an injustice! I also look forward to the 2 Ultimate races at Potomac Speedway this year on the Fridays before both VMS races because the WOO races at Potomac the last couple years have been awesome as well as their weekly SLM shows! VMS will feature Crates as their top class this year, dropping LLM, so the Ultimate series will definitely have my support!

[Clayton_Wetter]

Battle of the Bluegrass with 4 of 18 races in the Bluegrass state. lol

There must be a lot of Bluegrass in Tennessee and North Carolina too. lol

[flagone]

NC?

Did anyone look at the schedule and take time to read it?

The series is the Battle of the Bluegrass REGION. Please look back at the history and you will see that the series previously visited tracks outside of Kentucky. There are only so many tracks with available dates inside Kentucky. Many of the tracks in Kentucky are closed.

I will never understand how people can put something down without even seeing the product. Hey people someone is trying to give the racers in and around the region something good, something they have asked for. How about give it a chance rather than just being negative because you think it is cool.

[153J]

i am looking forward to my first ever visits to potomac and vms for my first and second ultimate series races in april
and also looking forward to the bob race at atomic in may, god willing its better than the last time i was there (rubber dtwc ... not dust)