01/09/2003

LONG ISLAND MINI-CUP ASSOCIATION FORMED

The Long Island Mini Cup Association (LIMCA) has been formed, and is led by John Burns. The LIMCA has a 18 race commitment from West Hampton at this point. LIMCA has tested with a truck out there and ran in the low 18's. The one cup car that we have we have to complete and get it out to the track to test. LIMCA also plans to test at Medford to see if Mini Cups can be run there also.

New to mincups? - Here is some background information. The Super Minicup car is a ½ scale stock car built just like the Winston Cup cars you see on TV. They have tube chassis, adjustable suspension, coil-over Carrera shocks, disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, etc.

 The goal of the series is to provide an inexpensive entry level stock car racing experience for new drivers. There are two divisions that use the super minicup. One is for children aged 8-16 called Future Stars. These cars run with a restrictor plate and weigh less than the Open division for adults. The Open division has proven to be the largest since most minicup drivers so far have been adults. If you have always wanted to race but didn’t have the money, time, and pit crew, minicups may be the answer.

In February of 2002, the Miniature Motorsports Racing Association (MMRA) announced major changes and new leadership. The racecar manufacturing side of the business was taken over by Townsend Racing Products of Ashland, VA. The sanctioning body, MMRA brought on a new management team, built a new website ( www.mmraracing.com ), and announced an ambitious promotion plan culminating with the MMRA Nationals Presented by the U.S. Air Force. The Scale Racing League (SRL) which was formed approximately 3 years ago will continue to focus on sanctioning races for minicups without regard to their manufacturer. The SRL Nationals will be at the historic South Boston Speedway in Virginia late in 2002. The SRL website is at www.scaleracingleague.com. The cars, engines, and rules for super minicups are also the same nationwide so there is a level playing field for all competitors. Here are the specifications for the MMRA style suspended chassis cars:

ENGINE: · Honda GX 390 · 4 Stroke, OHV Single Cylinder · Displacement - 389 cc · Horsepower (stock) - 13 · Air Cooled · Electric Start ·Clutch - Dry Centrifugal

BODY: · Hand Laid Fiberglass · Lexan Windshield · Gelcoat Gray · Body styles: Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Ford Taurus, Pontiac Grand Prix, Dodge Intrepid

CHASSIS: · 1.125 by .065 Mild Steel · MIG Welded · Upper & Lower Control Arms · Caster, Camber, Toe Adjustments · Movable Pedals · Rack & Pinion

STEERING: · Adjustable Coil Over Shocks · Fully Adjustable Rear Suspension

WHEELS AND TIRES: · 8 by 6.5 Polished Aluminum 4 or 6 Bolt Wheels · 15 by 7 by 8S American Racer Slicks, Spec Compound

MISC: · Five Point Racing Harness and Window Net · Duel Caliper Disc Brake · Quick Release Steering Wheel · Aluminum Kirkey Seat, Adult Sizes 11 - 16 · Aluminum Kirkey Seat, Child Sizes 9 - 11

Are you excited? Maybe minicups are your ticket out of the stands and into the action. If you would like to receive more information about minicup racing in your area, Contact John Burns Director LIMCA (631) 807-4117 or email liminicup@aol.com.  Also the LIMCA has a website at http://www.liminicup.com/ .

Sources:  John Burns/LIMCA
Posted:  January 9, 2003