Greetings! The 2015 racing season has been extremely challenging with multiple race cancellations due to weather and those that were held experienced some challenges due to rain, examples being Vestaburg, Michigan; Foley, Alabama and Atlanta Motor Speedway. With the most significant event of the USLMRA 2015 season, this year’s 23rd Annual 23rd Annual STA-BIL 360 Performance Nationals event at Charlotte Motor Speedway there are some issues that need to be addressed.
With this year’s event being held in-conjunction with Terracross Championship Racing and the Fall Auto Fair at Charlotte Motor Speedway it is important that we as USLMRA racers and operating staff members demonstrate our professionalism and pride in our sport. This has all the possibilities to be the biggest media and spectator event for USLMRA in recent history, so it is asked of you to come prepared follow the time lines posted and ensure that you and you pit crew members conduct your selves in a professional manner. This weekend could have a major impact on future events for the sport of lawn mower racing heading into the future.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE & INFO
Registration and Tech Will only be open during the time stated do not wait for the last minute to show up for inspection or Registration. As much as we would hate to, we will not be able to continue past the posted times.
Once the drivers meeting starts everyone needs to pay close attention for special instructions
Once we begin, we have a time line that we must meet and a set time when we must be completed with all racing. So other words we’ll be on the clock! So be ready, when practice, heats (if needed) and finals begin be lined up and ready to roll when you are summoned to the track. We will have no time to wait for those who are slow lining up.
This year we have had deep concern about the driving habits some drivers are demonstrating in several classes with the most concern being in the FXT class. It has been said openly that if the drivers driving habits do not improve and race with common sense then we will seriously consider dropping these classes regardless of the class. So it’s up to you drivers to clean up your act. Enough said!
It is asked that all drivers once again review section I (Rules of the Track) and section II (Rules of the Pit & Grid) in the 2015 rule book and remembers all eyes will be on “The Lawn Mower Racers”.
As with past events, we have taken the stance that we do everything possible to allow all racers to take part in racing events for that day – however, with the large number of racers expected and the tight schedule we will be required to follow this year, it is imperative that all mowers are to the USLMRA standard. Remember this is not just a USLMRA National Event – it’s the “Sta-Bil 360 Performance Nationals”, and we are a part for a big show so let’s be impressive.
Finally – with reports of an extremely high number of racers planning to attend it must be understood that this is a championship race and we will be looking at allowing a safe number of mowers on the track for the championship race. Please remember that the top ten in the points standing will be pre gridded, the remainder of the field 11 on up will be determined by a heat race if needed to safely fill out the race field. In other words if you’re not in the running for championship top ten standing there is a possibility you may not qualify for the championship race.
TOP 10 DRIVERS BY CLASS (.PDF)
Also note that drivers must have completed 2 USLMRA National point races to be qualified to compete at Nationals. The concern is in the following classes; GP 62 Mowers Qualified, BP 31 Qualified, FXS 30 Qualified and FXT 40 Qualified. This means if there is a possibility that if we start 20 mowers in the finals, there is a chance a good numbers of mowers will not be able to race. Racers need to understand that our main concern is safety. We will not allow an excessive number of mower on the track if we deem it to be unsafe, so it must be decided by drivers if it’s worth their trip if they’re not in the top ten in points. Again this is due to the fact that this is a championship race weekend not a regular national event.
Again we will do everything possible to allow everyone to race, but Local Chapter Presidents need to get this information out and Drivers must also do their part in ensuring their club member understand the importance of the event.
So let’s be prepared, be professional, be safe and have fun.
We look forward to seeing you at the Sta-Bil 360 Performance Nationals weekend, have a safe journey!
Rich Webb/Manny Torres
National Chief Stewards
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