Scranton, PA - When PA' s Mountain Speedway Co-Promoter, Billy Bartley attended an enduro race at another track four years ago, he loved the action and especially loved the people participating even more when he went into the pits to meet and talk with them.  “The cars were, to say it bluntly, ‘junk’, compared to what I was used to seeing every week at my track, but there was something special about these people”, noted Bartley.  “I found that most of the drivers and crew loved racing like no other”.  From a spectator point, this type racing seemed more fun to watch for him and even more fun for the drivers.  There wasn’t any arguing afterwards, nor shouting at the flagger, or complaining of a line up, they were all happy.  Afterwards they all sat around in a group talking about the race.  Even the guys that finished last or destroyed their cars joined in!  Most of the "race cars" were either painted up in off the wall colors with funny sayings or adorned with some type of decorations.    Bartley remembered that day and there were about 28 to 30 cars in the event, which in his mind seemed like a lot of cars at one time.  Drivers told him stories about when Flemington hosted 100 cars per event before it closed in 2000.  Some of the said that this type racing is dying because promoters do not want the ‘junk’ at their tracks.  But when they do put on a show, they are treated like the lowest scum of the earth.     When ’02 came to a close, Bartley decided to empty the bank and take a chance that no other would attempt.  He created an enduro racing series called NEETS (North East Enduro Tour Series).  His plan:  to hold enduro-racing events at a number of tracks throughout the northeast for points, recognition, and a large pro rated cash purse.  He and his entourage would ‘tour’, much like the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series.  His plans also included a point fund, banquet and many other awards.  Bartley wanted to start with a big car division (6 & 8 cyl), with a 4 cyl. division, which would compete at select venues.  He believed that enduro racers should get the same opportunities as other racers, along with the respect that they deserve.  When the majority of the racing press caught wind of Bartley’s idea, they were convinced that the series would not even last the entire ’03 season.  Bartley ignored the flak and dedicated plenty of hours and long nights promoting his newly formed series.  Some of his developments included a NEETS Series website and on-line forum for anyone interested.  “The forum and site were the best things to start off this series’ said Bartley.  “I wanted anyone who ever wanted the race and could not afford to, to take a look at NEETS, and they did”.  By the end of ’02, there were already fifty NEETS members.    Over the course of the season obstacles and learning curves were conquered.  A few races were cancelled or rescheduled for a variety of reasons.  Most tracks respected the NEETS tour, while others shunned the series and its drivers.  Bartley never lifted, spiraling ideas all season long to help keep the show dates they had scheduled.  One of these changes was the decision to race rain or shine.  “I sat down one night and thought, these cars all have street tires.  If cars can drive on the street in the rain, why not race in it?”  This decision proved successful when the tour took to the asphalt at Tioga Speedway in NY.  The race was so successful, fans stayed for the whole event, even through downpours.  Ironically, every division for the day was cancelled, except for the NEETS enduro.  Throughout the rest of ’03 a few additions were added to the shows.  The ‘Best Appearing Car’ award was presented to the driver with the sleekest looking mount.  B.V. Sprinklers presented a ‘Rough Ride of the Day’ award to the driver with the worst luck of the day.  ‘NEETS News’ made its debut at mid-season, which is an online newsletter much like your regular track program.  The newsletter recaps the latest event.     Ray Fitzgerald was crowned the inaugural NEETS champion after the final race of the season with his 9th place finish.      During the off-season months, Bartley decided to add a few ‘true enduro’, non-point shows to the schedule.  The idea was to gain the interest of drivers who wanted to race without spending more cash than needed.  The car for these races must be off the street, stock & legal.  Bartley had a January race in the works, along with an event in July, October and November.  He would call these races ‘Holiday Fun Races’ for the time being.  Each race was planned to have some something for everyone, including various contests for the kids, and entertainment for all.  Depending on car counts, most of these ‘fun’ races were $1000 to win, and the final race in November (Mutha of all Enduros) was $5000 to win if 100 6/8 cyl. cars started the event.    Over the first two seasons, the NEETS members and their families ‘cliqued’, much like you would see in the NASCAR racing family.  NEETS would welcome any new drivers with open arms, offering information about set-ups, etc., just to help make them competitive.  A prime example of the ‘NEETS family’ was the event that took place during the last season race of ’04.  NEETS held a ‘Checkered Dreams’ event.  Checkered Dreams is a charity, which works with various tracks and drivers to help give children with serious illnesses and their families a ‘dream day’ at the track.  The day was a true joy for not only the children, but the drivers and officials as well!    Bartley announced changes for the ’05 season.  “What type of changes could possibly change the future of NEETS”, everyone asked.  His reply was straightforward.  The tour would become the NEETS Holiday Stock Car Series (NEETS HSCS).  Besides recognition, and more race coverage, the improved series would bring a lot more to the table.  It was announced that all of the races on the 2005 schedule would be held at Mountain Speedway, mainly because of the computerized scoring system.  The amount of cars at each race was expected to be high, and the transponder system assures fair results.     The ‘new’ type of racing for NEETS in ’05 proved more successful and Bartley now draws 100’s of cars from states all over the northeast and beyond to each of his events. These people are dedicated to the sport, partially because of what he has done for enduro racing over the last four years.    So, what’s on the card for NEETS in ’06?  Well, the three series are the main Holiday Stock Car Series (HSCS), which are completely stock vehicles with two divisions, 4cyl and 6/8 cylinders. The Truck Racing Under Xtreme (TRUX) series that are completely stock small to mid size pickup trucks with up to 6 cylinders. Lastly is the Xtreme Super Enduro Series (XSES), which is the complete opposite of the HSCS. There are no motor rules and very liberal car rules but very strict safety rules. The XSES will be a traveling series while the others will be based at Mountain Speedway.    The NEETS HSCS allows new drivers to put a car together for little money, while having some fun trying it out.  This way, if the driver decides racing is not for them, the time and money invested is minimal, therefore the financial loss is much less than if they jumped right into a Friday or Saturday night division.  In today’s youth, there is wide variety of past times to choose from.  NEETS wants to give them the opportunity to try the sport of enduro racing.  Especially the 4 cyl. division, which is mainly the type of cars you currently see on the road today.  When Bartley was asked about how new drivers feel about the series, he just smiled and said “I have received many e-mails and letters thanking us for giving them the opportunity to live their life-long dream as to drive a race car. Most have been dedicated long time fans in the stands that never tried to join in because of the costs.”    Bartley continued, “One of my biggest reasons for starting the series was to get new blood into the weekly regular racing.  I have seen the ages of the drivers increase, meanwhile car counts are dwindling all over the northeast and no young guns are coming into racing because of the cost. This inexpensive way of ‘testing’ the sport of racing would give them the opportunity to see if it is for them or not.  The facts is we have gained a few dozen drivers to our weekly program at Mountain, along with other tracks directly because of the series”.    As for the future of NEETS:  Future goals are to expand into different regions of the US for a ‘National series’.  Bartley has been in communication with future NEETS sub-promoters from the North, South and West of the area. For further info on NEETS enduro racing, please visit: www.neetstour.net.