[chuck ewing]

We had a meeting on 12/13/07, At that meeting all rules were finalized, and the will be posted as soon as we can get them to Jim to put on the web site. Only rule CHANGES in the
Late Model Class.
1: Allowing weight breaks for Crate Motors ,
Dry sumps,(vs wet sumps)and cast iron heads vs (Aluminum heads)
Sportsman Class.
1:Where we have the spec. intake and Holly 4412 carb.
2:Any cast iron heads
Pony class.
1: Allowing Standard Transmissions
Pure Stock (RWD) rules clarification,
1: Allowing Locked rear ends
Pure Stock (FWD)
No Changes

[todd metz sr.]

For the pony class will there be any exhaust restrictions or any other form of extras for the manual transmission cars?

Are both tracks under the same set of rules?

If someone that is in charge could give me an official answer I would like that very much.

I am aware of what last years rules stated, but as we all know this is this year, so an official answer would be good indeed

Thank you
_________________
"Yogi"
2008 Springport Speedway Rookie of the Year
2008 Springport Speedway Track Champion
1st and only automatic pony in the 15's
Team Never Dead Racing Team Beacon
If you are not having fun while racing, Adjustments are definitely needed !!!!!

[Jim Leasure]

As far as any restrictions: I am hoping there is no need to go there.....but.... if indeed the manual trans cars start dominating we will need to do something to level out the field. Exhaust restrictions could possibly be the best option. It is also important for all of us to realize that some people work harder on their car or have better techniques than some so trying to achieve a level playing field isn't as simple as just slowing down the faster cars.

Spartan and SMS have the same rules. The small changes that were made this year should be on line next week. The changes I remember are "spinner/spinnee(ponies will no longer lose 5 pts for going to the rear now). If you break out you will cause a caution and be sent to the rear. Manual ok in the ponies. Tire rule for SLM and Mods. Sportsman carb/intake an will transition into the same tire that the Mods are going to be on. I think that is about it.

I also think the schedule may be complete by the first week on January.

[daytonapony]

No penalties for a manual as of now in the ponies?

If thats the case I'll be looking for a 5 speed.
_________________
Metz Racing #79
Team Beacon
Never Dead Racing
2010 and 2011 Pony stock Track Champion
15.23 Fastest FWD lap ever at Spartan on fun night.
15.872 Fastest pony stock lap during the season.

[Sortabigg]

Daytona and yogi, you guys sound like your suprised that they're allowing manuals??? You guys know who #55 is, he ran a manual out to SMS and Spartan and didnt break no records or nothing. I dont think restrictions will be necessary.
_________________
~~~~Steve "Big Daddy" Orta~~~~
She is gone but not forgotten.
And her sister is here!

[lansingsportsrage.com]

Steve.. you guys didn't try to leverage the advantage inherent in the manual. Others aren't going to exhibit the same level of sportsmanship you did. I hope the tech folks reconsider the exhaust restriction.

[Mopar93]

At Springport, a 5 speed in a Dodge Neon won't work as well as expected due to the available gear ratios. You can't run in 2nd gear because the RPM's would be way too high. In 3rd gear, you can't get enough RPM's. The best 5-speed to use in a Neon would be one from a 1995 DOHC car. However, it won't perform as well as an automatic with a 1.22 transfer gear and 3.05 ring and pinion.

To outperform a Shadow, a Neon must hit a higher RPM.

A Dodge Shadow will have the same problem. However, compared to a 1.22 transfer gear with 2.86 ring and pinion in an automatic, the 5-speed would be better because it's about the same gear ratio and robs less power. If a Shadow at Springport runs a 3.05 ring and pinion, then it's a toss up as to which transmission would be better. I'd say probably the stick due to better reliability.

At Spartan, the Neon will do well with a standard SOHC geared 5 speed. The RPM's will be just about right running in 2nd gear and will outperform the automatic. This could be a dominating setup at Spartan.

A Dodge Shadow can't use the 5 speed at Spartan because it will hit the rev limiter too soon. An automatic is the way to go with a Shadow at Spartan.

Neons with an automatic run well at Spartan compared to a Shadow with an automatic due to their ability to use the 3.05 ring and pinion compared to a Shadow using a 2.86 ring and pinion. They need the higher RPM and can use it because their rev limiter allows a higher RPM. The gear ratio really helps get them off the corner and allows them to be competitive with the bigger 2.5 Shadow engine. But a stick in 2nd gear will be the way to go with a Neon at Spartan. The first one to do it, and who is able to set the rest of the car up properly and drive well, will be the one to beat at Spartan.

In order to be the best at both tracks, you need two different cars or you must make a comprimise with one car to run decent at both tracks.

-Maurice

[Sortabigg]

[torg38]

No change to the 185 tire for the neon?
_________________
Effort equals results...Penske
Their is only air in my tires, Like your head...Evernham

[todd metz sr.]

JIM,
Thank you for your quick response to my questions.
I am toying with the ideal of building one of my Neons with a manual for me or my son to run and see how well we could get it to go.
If I understand your post, we will cause a yellow and be sent to the rear if we breakout. Will the top x number of qualifiers be exempt from the breakout rule? How about scratching our time if we feel we had a bad qualifying run?
Thank you in advance.

Steve,
Nothing against the #55 but that was just one car. Everyone has different levels of abilities and resources. I for one have next to nothing for experience on a paved short oval track. I have only driven on Springport on practice days and once in the spectator drags.
I was amazed to be able to take my sons stock SOHC manual Neon on JUNK tires and turn low 21 second laps with it. No sumo's, no camber, no toe in set, only 32 lbs air pressure in the tires, only thing done to exhaust was the stock muffler replaced with a silly fart can, over 600 lbs heavy. Some of the pony's last year qualified slower than that.
This is why I personally feel that a manual Neon just might be the quick way to go around the track. I very well may be way off on my thought process, lord knows that I have a history of being way out in left field from time to time.
I think the Neons have one of the better motors allowed at the tracks. If we get the gear ratios in the transmissions figured out so the motors are in their happy rpm range, I believe they will be in the front most of the time. This of course is depending on the driver to have the skill and ability to run in the front and the ability to set the car up to feel good to the driver.

Thanks
_________________
"Yogi"
2008 Springport Speedway Rookie of the Year
2008 Springport Speedway Track Champion
1st and only automatic pony in the 15's
Team Never Dead Racing Team Beacon
If you are not having fun while racing, Adjustments are definitely needed !!!!!

[Jim Leasure]

The top four qualifiers are exempt from the break out rule. You may also scratch your time and start at the rear, then you will not need to worry about the break out.

[chuck ewing]

No, change to the tire rule Mark thanks fof asking

[oldgold]

[todd metz sr.]

Mr. Oldgold,
You are right on the spot with your comments about keeping the Ponystock class a low dollar one. I did not mean to sound like I was bashing or talking down about the #55. My intent by saying that this is only one car was just that, this is just one car.

I think it is great that you guys are able to compete at different tracks AND be in the top 5 or so on a regular basis. Dan should be proud of his season and what he has done. Isn't that what we all hope and try to do?
I sure plan on doing that, with some luck I think will be able to.
Yes the transmissions on the G.M. cars can be a bear to work with. That is one of the reasons I decided to not run them. I wanted the flexability that the Mopar's have in the transmission dept. so that I can run at different tracks if I want or feel the need to.
I do not have an unlimited supply of cash to put into racing. Like most all of us the choices on what to spend my dollars on determines what class and what car I will race. For my money I chose to go with the Neons. I feel they are MY best investment for what I want to do on the tracks this coming season.

I think that the diversity of the racing community will ensure that we do not all drive Neons or Cavilers or any other one model of car. I know there are die hard G.M., Ford, Mopar and every other make of car fan out there. That is what helps to keep racing so competive and addictive to the racers and the fans.

Hope to see Dan back at the tracks and doing good in 2008 again.

Thanks
_________________
"Yogi"
2008 Springport Speedway Rookie of the Year
2008 Springport Speedway Track Champion
1st and only automatic pony in the 15's
Team Never Dead Racing Team Beacon
If you are not having fun while racing, Adjustments are definitely needed !!!!!

[lansingsportsrage.com]

Why are the SOHC/16v/132 hp Neons allowed but the SOHC/12v/118 hp Probes aren't ?