Many competitors were on hand to take part in the Grand
Enduro meeting hosted by Bobby Pease to discuss the 2009 season.
The gathering, which was aimed at the Grand Enduro class but
open to those in all enduro divisions, served as a forum for
discussions regarding rules, procedure, and miscellaneous items
of interest. Co-chief stewards Mike Cappiello and Jim Maggio
were on hand to take part in the discussions, as was technical
inspector Terry Fallon. A number of initiatives were discussed.
The Grand Enduro drivers agreed to hold a drivers' meeting
prior to each event. The meetings will be held in the vicinity
of the tech area or at Bobby Pease's trailer, and will be
determined by the availability of space. ALL Grand Enduro
drivers will be expected to attend.
It was decided that the top ten finishers from each race
would not be forced to start the following race from the rear of
the field. Instead, each competitor will continue to take part
in a draw, picking their number upon arrival at the track.
As was the case in 2008, there will be a points fund for the
enduro classes in 2009. 50/50 raffles will be sold on a regular
basis to raise money for the fund. Grand Enduro drivers will be
given the option to take part in the fund by making a
contribution at the beginning of the season. Anyone who does not
wish to take part in the fund can elect not to; however, any car
not participating will not receive points towards the
end-of-season total. All drivers, regardless of their decision
to participate or not, will still receive regular Riverhead
Raceway points. Participation in this during 2009 enabled the
Grand Enduro point fund to pay the top ten drivers in that
class, while the top five received point fund money in other
classes. There has been discussion of expanding this concept to
the 4/6 cylinder truck enduro class. It should be noted that
only those drivers competing in at least seven of the Grand
Enduro division's scheduled ten races will be eligible for the
end-of-year bonuses. The feasibility of designing and selling
t-shirts as a means to supplement the Grand Enduro point fund
was also discussed.
The Grand Enduro division will administer their own points
system, separate from the Riverhead Raceway points. Under the
Grand Enduro points system, the winner will still receive 100
points. The points will then drop down by five for each position
through tenth (i.e., second place will be worth 95 points, third
will be worth 90 points, etc.). From 11th through 20th, the
drop-off will be three points, with every driver finishing 21st
or further back receiving 20 points.
There was discussion of distributing trophies to the top ten
in the Grand Enduro division at the midway point in the season.
Many hold the belief that this will encourage everyone to race
clean and to give drivers an additional incentive to shoot for.
It was agreed that, in order to compete in the Grand Enduro
races, a car must have received a Grand Enduro inspection
sticker. Those in the Grand Enduro class, unlike stock enduro
divisions (with the exception of the 4/6 cylinder trucks) go
through a rigorous safety inspection at the beginning of the
season, rather than on a race-by-race basis. It is the feeling
of those who compete in the Grand Enduro division on a regular
basis that all cars on the track for a race should be subjected
to that same inspection process.
Since there will be a greater number of Saturday night
enduros in 2009, it was stressed that those in ALL enduro
divisions should be at the track no later than 4 p.m. on any
Saturday night when that division is racing. Inspections will
not be conducted for cars arriving after 4 p.m., and the car in
question will not be allowed to compete. This also applies to
the Grand Enduros and the 4/6 cylinder trucks, even though their
inspection is completed once per season.
On scheduled Sunday shows, the Grand Enduro division
requested two ten-lap practice sessions, to allow the drivers to
work with the Hoosier racing tires. Every possible attempt will
be made to also include the Grand Enduro cars in the regular
practice rotation on their scheduled Saturday races.
The possibility of a single time trial race for the Grand
Enduro division is being taken under consideration. If such an
event does occur, a pole trophy will be presented to the driver
setting fast time for the race.
A number of technical issues were brought up, which will be
discussed with head technical inspector Walter Bonczyk, and any
final decisions that are made will be announced once information
becomes available. Among the issues raised were: the feasibility
of instituting a tolerance for the 51% left side weight rule in
the case of an accident that may have shifted the weight balance
of the car, the possibility of puffing and sealing Grand Enduro
motors, the possibility of allowing aluminum radiators in the
Grand Enduros, and the feasibility of allowing aftermarket rims
in the 4/6 cylinder truck enduro class. All technical issues
that were raised are pending final determination.
Source:
Tracy Chirico/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:
March 13, 2009
