USRA/Houston LM meeting report

[NickHolt]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-Feb. 7, 2004

Chuck Licata, 903.576.4144

 

Houston Late Models meeting makes big impact

 

A gathering of over 35 people - which included Houston Motorsports Park (HMP) co-owners Graham and David Baker – met last Saturday at HMP with USRA owner Terry Dickerson and members of his staff to discuss the inclusion of the Houston Late Models at USRA races this season.

 

"We were especially pleased with the turnout Saturday afternoon considering we had only given the Houston folks six days notice for the meeting," Dickerson said. "The turnout proves there's a lot of interest in the future of the Houston Late Models. We had 12-13 team owners/drivers at the meeting, and they seemed very interested in what we had to say. We're hopeful we can work something out for not only the future, but maybe something this year. Adding a third series would add value to our overall marketing effort. Nonetheless, this was a great learning experience for both USRA and the Houston contingency."

 

Dickerson announced USRA (formerly ROMCO) will sanction the Houston Late Models for the four USRA dates at HMP - March 19 (Opening Night), May 28, Aug. 27 and Oct. 29. USRA will pay a purse to the Houston LM series on those nights.

 

“It was a real positive meeting,” said HMP co-owner Graham Baker. “Before the meeting there was a feeling among our Late Model drivers they’d only be able to run with USRA and that we at HMP were going to rescind their schedule. Now they know that they still have their 11 races here at HMP, they know Terry Dickerson and USRA are going to put up a purse at the four USRA races at HMP, and there exists the possibility of racing at other race tracks with USRA.”

 

Baker added, “I’ve had a few phone calls since the meeting, and the reaction has been very positive. The Late Model drivers also felt better that there would be no rules changes to their cars.”

 

The reason the Houston cars would be a good fit for USRA, explained Dickerson, is simple. "The car bodies and chassis are former ROMCO cars. Drivers spend what they have to, or build the cars and make some modifications, then spend $3,100 on crate engines. So realistically, cars can be had in this class for $15,000 or less - a great price to pay."

 

Dickerson added, "There's intrinsic value to this class, too. Drivers in the USRA Truck Series can use the same crate engine. Plus, if someone in the Late Model class moves up to the USRA Super Late models, they could then sell their chassis to other team owners/drivers who are - or are going to - compete in the Late Model class. We got positive feedback from the team owners and drivers right after the meeting. They were very enthused and we’re hopeful something can be worked out for everyone involved."

 

Dickerson said he’ll meet this week with USRA Race Director Terry Barden and other series officials. He hopes to have a decision on this by Feb. 15. Information about USRA can be found on the series web site at www.usraspeed.com. Information about Houston Motorsports Park can be found at www.houstonmotorsportspark.com.