Thursday, February 6, 2003 Helping the Every Weekend Open Wheel Modified Driver by Jane Smith A KARNAC.com exclusive report Zephryhills, Fla - What does Frank Hill, Tommy Dunford, Leroy Davidson, Rick Day, Gary Robertson and Buzzie Reutimann have in common?? What they have in common is a love for open wheel modified racing and a goal to lower the cost and get back to the tracks the open wheel modifieds. On Saturday, February 1 in the Reutimann Racing Shop in Zehyryhills, Florida, these men got together to share ideas and ways to cut the cost for the Open Wheel Modified driver. Gary Robertson, long-time friend of Buzzie Reutimann and a car owner himself, sat down one day and figured out exactly what it cost him to run his Open Wheel Modified for a year. When he had the final figure he was astonished, he realized it was too much for the every weekend car owner or driver. Frank Hill of Sunshine Speedway, Tommy Dunford of Bronson Motor Speedway, Leroy Davidson of Charlotte County Speedway all share "one" goal -- full pits and stands. But to realize their dream especially in the Open Wheel Modified division, they know it is necessary to cut the cost from a high dollar motor to a more affordable motor for the every weekend warrior. That is where the Golf Coast Open Wheeled Modified Spec Engine comes into play. "When one driver has a big motor and the bucks for a big motor, it is hard for the small motor owner to compete. Therefore they just quit, park their cars and let them sit. This is something we want to get away from so everyone can enjoy racing," said Robertson. "But to make it fair for every- one and because some owners cannot switch engines at this time, big motors will have 250 pounds of weight added with 50 pounds in front of the fly- wheel." he concluded. By adding this weight, it makes the playing field more even for everyone. By the 2004 season, a new clutch rule will take affect for the Gulf Coast Spec engine. All drivers will run a 7 1/4 steel clutch which costs much less than the fancy clutches in some of today's modifieds. "Our main goal is to bring back the racers to racing. I have personally called some of the known engine builders in the area for prices of a new big motor and compared it to the price of the spec motor" said Robertson. His survey was as follows: Unlimited Gulf Coast Motor Spec Motor Year 1 - Initial Investment $18,400.00 $5,600.00 Year 2 - Rebuild 3,500.00 1,100.00 Year 3 - Rebuild 3,500.00 1,100.00 Year 4 - Replacement 18,400.00 5,600.00 Year 5 - Rebuild 3,500.00 1,100.00 Total 5 Year Investment $47,300.00 $14,500.00 Average Yearly Investment 9,460.00 2,900.00 Difference $6,560.00 Rick Day, owner of the SARA Late Model Racing Series and the SARA Open Wheel Modified Racing Series has already put the Gulf Coast Open Wheel Modified Spec Engine in his modified division. "I found that more drivers and car owners were able to compete in the SARA Open Wheel Modified Series and felt good about their ability to win," said Day. "We had a few big motors at the beginning of the 2002 season but after the drivers saw that the little motors did just as well as the high dollar big motors with the weight added, they switched to the smaller, less expensive motor," Day concluded. "Not only does the smaller, less expensive motor save money but also helps the little guy compete in a series and feel like they have a chance to win and be just as competitive as the big motors," said Robertson. "We ran the smaller motor last year in our car and I found at the end of the year that I had far more pocket money left than in previous years with the big motor." added Robertson. Frank Hill of Sunshine Speedway has used this basic rule for the Open Wheel Modified division at Sunshine for the last three years. It has added drivers, not taken them away. That is what Tommy Dunford and Leroy Davidson want for Bronson Motor Speedway and Charlotte County Speedway -- good fields of modifieds and happy drivers and owners. Terry Watson joined the group to show them how to tech the engines the same at all tracks to keep a fair playing field. Watson showed how every tech inspection should be done, what temperature was best for teching, how to check engine compression and why the Whisler is necessary in tech. "We have not teched this division enough and that has caused it to get out of hand," said Robertson. "One driver cheats, then another, and the next thing you know you have big bucks in a division that does not pay big bucks." he concluded. "With today's economy, big motors and big bucks just aren't feasible. That is why we need a spec engine with the same rules and teching each and every race. This will keep the class honest and not so out-of- sight money wise," said Robertson. Besides Sunshine Speedway, Charlotte County Speedway, Bronson Motor Speedway, SARA Open Wheel Modified Series, Robertson and Buzzie Reutimann hope more tracks will join in the new Gulf Coast Open Wheel Modified Spec Engine program. "It won't be long before we will see 50 car fields at 50 lap or more races with this spec engine and less cost program," said Robertson with a smile. -Jane Smith Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!