IMCA adds Swap Option for Mods & Stocks in 2006

[rebelracewriter]

Engine exchange option added in 2006

for IMCA Modified, Stock Car divisions

VINTON, Iowa (Nov. 18) ­ An engine exchange option has been added for

IMCA Modified and Stock Car drivers competing at weekly and special events

next season.

The driver in each class accepting the claim will have the choice

between cash, which remains unchanged at $525 for Modifieds and $425 for

Stock Cars, or exchanging engines with the driver making the claim. The

claiming driver will pay the $25 wrecker fee if the cash option is taken, or

a $50 wrecker fee if the exchange option results.

"Since the introduction of the Modified in 1979, we have experimented

with the engine exchange at special events, special series events and in our

traveling series, and during that time drivers have continued to exercise

their privilege to claim," IMCA Vice President of Operations Brett Root

said. "The majority of our members don't argue the effectiveness of the

claim. They argue the fairness of it. There is a fine line between keeping

the claim affordable and fair without jeopardizing its effectiveness."

The number of claims a driver can make will be capped at four, with the

exchange option available in each instance. Hobby Stock and SportMod drivers

will be allowed one claim at the straight cash value and as many as three

more exchange claims.

No change is being made in IMCA's general claim procedures, including

requirements that the driver making the claim have cash, their claim card

and current license when they pull into the claim area.

Also unchanged is the provision allowing IMCA or the track promoter to

claim any engine for cash. The one special event where the engine exchange

will not be in place is the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals, where the

public auction will continue to follow the Saturday night race program.

Claim cards will be redesigned so track officials can record when the

claim was for cash or the exchange.

"While the Modifieds and Stock Cars are still affordable weekly

divisions, they have engine rules open to more aftermarket components, with

less engine restrictions resulting in an engine that, in general, costs more

money to build," Root said. "We have more structure to engine rules for our

Hobby Stocks and SportMods. Drivers in those classes can still be

competitive with engines that cost less than $1,000."

The number of engine claims in a season peaked at 544 in 1997. Of the

404 claims accepted this year, 149 were in the Modified division, 138 in the

Hobby Stocks and 113 in the Stock Cars.

"We are not trying to eliminate engine claims. That's the last thing we

want to do. The purpose of claiming is to keep engine costs to a minimum,"

Root said. "We want to keep all our divisions affordable and allow racers to

come back to the track week in and week out. Even with the exchange option,

racers will continue to claim. The frequency of claims is what concerns us.

If you have no claims, you essentially have no claim rule."

 

30

[Sarge]

Wow!!!

 

Hmmm....

 

This

 

Is

 

Going

 

To

 

Be

 

Interesting!

 

A lot of guys have been crying for this for years. Don't know what I think about this. On one hand it seems to make sense, but on the other hand there have been sanctioning bodies do this and there haven't been any claims.

 

Bill "Sarge" Masom

The Voice of the San Antonio Diablos

[STAGGER]

Limited Mod/SIMS have an exchange rule and it seems to be working. Besides, look at the small number of claims each year compared to the total number of cars/races nationwide per year. Relatively speaking, no one is claiming anyway.

I think it's a positive step, and one more in tune with the cost of building a motor at todays prices.