Hello everyone,
Brent and Tony need your input. Let them know what you think about this subject.

It has been suggested, in private, by a number of racers that QSAC should have two professional classes, Grand National and Sprint Cars. These classes would be the payout classes and the other classes would be trophy classes.

Currently the entries are split with the track getting 50%, racer purse getting 35% and QSAC getting 15%. Part of this suggestion was that the track gets 60%, racer purse get 25% and QSAC get 15%. The thought was that this would provide the track more money and provide nicer trophies. The racer purse would be totaled and equally divided between the A drivers in Grand National and Sprint. So the incentive is to make the A main not win the A main.

Some feel strongly that this will bring back the GN class and help grow the Sprint class. Others feel that it should be self regulating and if nobody runs GN or Sprint cars then they will just go away. So, thinking outside of the class you run, what would be the best direction QSAC should take? If you have an opinion we’d like to hear it.

Tony: TERACER@Cox.net (TERACER@Cox.net)
Brent: brentgottfried@hotmail.com (brentgottfried@hotmail.com)

If there must be a payback, then leave it like it is. If change is warranted, then equality to all classes should be the change.



It's a well known fact that 1/4 scale has incurred a nice growth spurt in the last two seasons. So why penalize a certain class for its growth? Figure out the reason/s for decline of the other. If that one class is broken then fix IT. Leave the other well alone.

Just my thoughts.

from an outsider... if you make 2 payout classes and the rest sportsman , your liable to end up with a bunch guys racing in the pro class that might not nessicarily(sp) belong in the pro class thus defeating the idea of the two payout classes.

If there must be a payback, then leave it like it is. If change is warranted, then equality to all classes should be the change.



It's a well known fact that 1/4 scale has incurred a nice growth spurt in the last two seasons. So why penalize a certain class for its growth? Figure out the reason/s for decline of the other. If that one class is broken then fix IT. Leave the other well alone.

Just my thoughts.

I agree here. No need in trying to bait drivers into a class and take away from the other classes. There is no easy solution here and to turn it around won't happen over night.
Figure out why GN cars and Sprints are falling off and fix that problem. No need in taking away from a growing class.

Take a poll and see what it will take to attract racers back into the GN class and or new racers into the class. Thats the best solution I can offer.If not a poll someone should have members numbers call them and talk with them one on one. If QSAC is serious in building these 2 classes back they should take the time and effort to work with those guys.

James

I agree here. No need in trying to bait drivers into a class and take away from the other classes. There is no easy solution here and to turn it around won't happen over night.
Figure out why GN cars and Sprints are falling off and fix that problem. No need in taking away from a growing class.

Take a poll and see what it will take to attract racers back into the GN class and or new racers into the class. Thats the best solution I can offer.If not a poll someone should have members numbers call them and talk with them one on one. If QSAC is serious in building these 2 classes back they should take the time and effort to work with those guys.

James
James: Sprints are on the rise. This class wa dead untill Randy Baker and I revived it on a national basis. There were others but Randy and I always had a sprinter with us to race.
Fred

I agree with Tim,Leave things like they are.You have to find out why GN class is dieing and try and fix it not at the expinse of the other classes.I plan on runing Truck and GN at NCS races.

I have to agree also.....taking away from another class is not the answer..

I could be wrong but seems like something like this helped in part with the QSAC decline (as a Whole) in the First place.....Some Classes were favored over others and it did not go over well......If we Favor anyone it should be the New Guys coming in...


Sprints are on the rise here on the west coast also.....nothing like years ago when we had A,B,C D,E,F Mains at the Nationals but much better than the 3-4 car field we had a few years ago.....

Just a question here... What if you got the same amount of money for the top 4 or 5 in each class and something for the Hard Charger/Hard Luck or Last place in each class. This would all but eliminate the money from the hobby but still keep your intrest...

I would have to agree with Tim also. If you are going to change you might as well make it all even to all four class's GN, Sprint, Sportsman, & Truck

Just my opinion

I disagree that the only cash paying class's would be GN, and Sprint.

All good points, but plz email your thoughts to either (or both):

Tony Evans: TERACER@Cox.net or Brent Gottfried: brentgottfried@hotmail.com


Neither stop by here very often (if at all).

I guess the question is. Why dont you race GN or sprint. To find out what needs to be changed you have to find the problem first. Tony and Brent need to hear what we have to say but they also need to hear it in a orderly way. Instead of them trying to read through all the what if's they can read what the problem really is. I understand why they ask about this but I dont think its the fix either. All that will happen is a bunch of people that dont belong in the class will run the veterans out. I think sprint is going to be fine. There is huge interest in them now. We just need to figure out WHY people dont run GN. I know why I dont is because the tracks I run weekly dont offer it. We had the discussion before on here awhile back, if there is only 10 or so cars racing you can't have two classes. I wish I had the answer thats for sure.

There's your answer for at least 75% of the tracks that race 1/4 scale in the US.
We just need to figure out WHY people dont run GN. I know why I dont is because the tracks I run weekly dont offer it. We had the discussion before on here awhile back, if there is only 10 or so cars racing you can't have two classes. I wish I had the answer thats for sure.

Thats why i'm going to run GN at the NCS races because the local tracks don't.I will run sportsman and truck at the local races.

I don't understand the approach of trying to get the racers on board with a proposal. Why not get the tracks they race on board first? What ever a track is doing is usually what the racers follow. Reach out to the tracks for repetitive sanctioning. Offer a QSAC track championship in what ever 1/4 class they offer. The track provides the awards anyway. Other than a set of rules, what connects the tracks & it's racers to QSAC when they're not hosting a NCS race? Nothing!!

Sorry for getting off the topic of payout percentages.

My honest opinion....do what ever is fair.

Other than a set of rules, what connects the tracks & it's racers to QSAC when they're not hosting a NCS race? Nothing!!



Insurance (for most)

You are saying they are sanctioned for the insurance?Insurance (for most)

You are saying they are sanctioned for the insurance?

We (Shaffer Speedway) are. Plus the obvious reasons that you (& others) already mentioned (rules).

Ok, I guess (from what I’m reading) that more racers would race GN if their local track offered it?

As far as are local track MPR we did race GN for some years, then guys where complaining that they had to much tire ware and to high of parts bills so as a track we swiched to sportsman. I would just as soon run GN, I like speed. But as a whole the sportsman class is very competitive and fun to race. I also liked the fact that when you race against "THE FAST GUYS" it makes you strive to get better. And there are some really fast guys in the sportsman class as well. After a couple of years of guys running sportsman I would think that a change to GN would come naturally!!!...
Again it's time to jump down of the soap box!!!...

DD

This is not a bad thing. This is good!
We (Shaffer Speedway) are. Plus the obvious reasons that you (& others) already mentioned (rules).

Well, not exactly. Only if there would be enough to substain two classes.

Or if GN was the only class offered period. Then you would not have a good starting place for newbies.

Ok, I guess (from what I’m reading) that more racers would race GN if their local track offered it?

hey guys never been to a sanctioned race what does it acually pay to win? 2nd-5th etc are you guys racing for the money or just for fun and a little money helps? whats the difference between sportsman and gn? like someone said cater to the new guys someone explain the classes. also like someone said the tracks dictate what is gonna be run if they say were running sprint cars and gn's then people will race sprints and gn's sounds like the problem is to many choices for not enough racers. you need to pick a class and eliminate it. that will make the other classes stronger ... just my .02

Our only complaints were we didn't have enough racers. So, we grouped all we had into one class (Sportsman). It narrowed the gap between the experienced, intermediate and new racers. It did make for more competitve racing and this is probably the biggest appeal to the racers.

Our only complaints were we didn't have enough racers. So, we grouped all we had into one class (Sportsman). It narrowed the gap between the experienced, intermediate and new racers. It did make for more competitve racing and this is probably the biggest appeal to the racers.

I found that at our track the gap widens, the racing gets worse if you have drivers that are mixed together. The speeds are so different you have guys spendind more time trying to get out of the way than racing. And it can't be too much fun for the "newbies" to be getting their asses handing to them race after race. I know if I were just starting out I would not want to run with all these guys that have be in it for years. Shit talk about pucker factor....I know that I do want to go out and run with the class that has the most cars, but I also do not want to go race were my racing is bobing and weaving instead of battling door to door lap after lap..........

You missed my point. We did not have enough to have an experienced, intermediate and beginner class. So we combined what we had to form one class. It was not by choice or just to close the gap. In a perfect world of 1/4 scale racing you'll have enough to hold two or three classes, a full field in the mains, pit marshalls and even a person to call the races. BUT....well you see where I'm going here.

It looks as if we'll have enough racers to branch out a little this year. We have our fingers crossed!:thumbsup:
I found that at our track the gap widens, the racing gets worse if you have drivers that are mixed together. The speeds are so different you have guys spendind more time trying to get out of the way than racing. And it can't be too much fun for the "newbies" to be getting their asses handing to them race after race. I know if I were just starting out I would not want to run with all these guys that have be in it for years. Shit talk about pucker factor....I know that I do want to go out and run with the class that has the most cars, but I also do not want to go race were my racing is bobing and weaving instead of battling door to door lap after lap..........

nobody has answered my question? what is the difference between gn and sportsman? is it skill level or is it motor chassis? :wave:

My thought would be to get rid of the relatively meaningless payouts for a year and let QSAC take the money generated at NCS events and invest it in some marketing materials.

As a club you have to have some money to do some things. It seems to me that the yearly membership fees barley cover insurance costs let alone allowing for any sort of promotion. Seems to me the leadrship team is handcuffed.

The NCS races area one area that QSAC could generated some extra revenue to work with.

How cool would it be to actually have a DVD with current video footage in an infomercial style format (Not just raw race footage) explaining what the 1/4 scale world and it’s people are all about.

Think about how many prospective new racers you could hand those to. Major cost would be production but DVD replication is pretty cheep these days.

To answer your question, technically the only real difference is that you dont have to run a restrictor plate and you are allowed to run lightened clutches. Thats about it. There isnt anything that states what skill level you must have to run GN but it is assumed that if you are running GN, you can hold your own if you know what I mean.

As for my opinion. I have talked with Tony a bit about this subject. From personal experience, you need at least two car classes. It is no fun to either be run over by the fast guys, or duck and weave through slower cars for the fast guys. I wouldnt be opposed to maybe upping the percentage of prize money to GN and Sprints, instead of giving them all the money? There needs to be a class for serious racers. That is the way it is. You dont need a beginner , intermediate, and pro class on the local level. Two classes will work fine. You can even have a GN class at the local level that runs restrictor plates if tire wear is an issue. If you are running the NCS, tire wear should be the least of your worries!

We are looking at nearly ten cars in our GN, Sportsman, and Sprint classes at our local track. We work very hard to promote our sport. We hit the 1/10 scale scene as well as parking lot races with stories in the local newspaper. It is possible to get the numbers, just keep at it! I want to keep the GN class!

I hope all of you are emailing this to Brent and Tony. A lot of great ideas are out here and I hope they make it to the right places. I posted this to let all of you know and so you all could let Brent and Tony know what you guys think about this subject. Thanks for your time and can't wait to meet all of you at the tracks this year.

You missed my point. We did not have enough to have an experienced, intermediate and beginner class. So we combined what we had to form one class. It was not by choice or just to close the gap. In a perfect world of 1/4 scale racing you'll have enough to hold two or three classes, a full field in the mains, pit marshalls and even a person to call the races. BUT....well you see where I'm going here.

It looks as if we'll have enough racers to branch out a little this year. We have our fingers crossed!:thumbsup:


No I did not miss your point. We ran with 4 trucks just because that is all we had. I would rather do that then run with 8 cars that I have to duck and weave............

thanks chance... is gn that much faster? are the guys running gn just because they dont want to run with the skill level of sportsman or are they running gn because they like the speed . I would prefer running the class that was the biggest regardless of what it was because its always more fun to beat the best guys there are, then to beat the also rans... .02

At our track there is not alot of difference in speed between the 2 classes. What i see is you have to be able to have more setup knowledge, and throttle control with a GN car. And money of course. I know that in sportsman here you can get close on the setup and clamp the throttle down and pretty much go. I dont mind either way QSAC goes. I would like to see 2 different classes. 1 for new guys and the other for more experienced drivers. I think it just makes for better racing if you class guys together that are close in speeds and skills.

I think thats what was originally the way it was. Sportsman was for the newer guys and GN was for the more experienced racers. But now you have guys that should run the GN class at the NCS races running the sportsman class. There should be something that you win blank number of races in sportsman you have to move up to GN. Whaen I raced real cars I started at the bottom and my ultimate goal was to run latemodels. You should want to move up as your skills allow, I know I will be running GN soon. My skills arent great but I am learning, and to me thats what it's all about. :thumbsup:

To a point I agree, you should move up, but there are those who are and will never be all that good at setting a car up to be competitive at the GN level. They are most comfortable at the sportsman level and they should be allowed to stay in that class.

GN was and should be for the folks that are more experianced, however at the local level you should be able to run whatever you want. It stands to reason that if you are always running sportsman, that is what you want to run at the NCS races and other main events, because that is what you are setup to do...

Something to think about, Super Truck is a nice transition to GN, because you are basicly running GN with a truck body.

I'm not saying that one person should run one class or another, however QSAC should and is trying to make the classes more attractive to the appropriate drivers so that all classes can be supported.

The fact is that quarter pounder racing is making some strides in getting more racers involved in the hobby. Several new tracks and events are popping up. Can more be done? Sure. Just remember, this takes time and money. The time is taken from those that volenteer their time, and the money is from the people that race and sponsors that donate.

There is a lot more to this hobby than going to the track, pulling the rip cord and then the trigger. Personaly I think this is the best form of racing I've been involved with.
I've blathered on enough, must be the snow getting to me... Like Jeff said, let your Directors and QSAC board memebers know what you think. None of them are mind readers, but they are more than willing to listen...

Jim, I was just referring to the guys that come in and win the NCS races over and over again. I agree some people just belong in the sportsman class and that fine but it's kinda like the cup drivers in the busch races. If the guy is good enough to win on a regular basis at the NCS races he should have to move up at some point.

I like what someone said about the purse going back to QSAC, if they had the extra money to do advertisements in mags or whatever then we could get more racers and interest. I still have my check for third in sprint at clover this year, I havent cashed it. I know alot of people may curse me for saying this but I dont think most us do this for the money. So the more money to generate interest the better if you ask me. I've put in my $45.00 :thumbsup:

I hope 1/4 scale continues to grow like you said to me this is the best form of racing I've ever done. I hope it gets to the point it was in the early 90's then we will be able to run super modifieds and outlaw ASA. Well I can dream right :rolleyes:

Everything up to this post has been emailed to the QSAC top shelf.

1/4 Scale racing is by far the coolest form of RC racing that there is, If you look under oval swap you will see my add (selling out of 1/10th scale). I can only afford to race one type of RC toys any more so OFF goes my 1/10 scale. If anyone is interested in 1/10 scale this is a DEAL!!!...


DD

I'm just glad that my local track (Freddies) races Grand National… I personally want to race GN....Don't get me wrong, Sportsman is fun and very- very competitive, but I feel it’s a class for new racers. A class where the new Q-scale racer can learn about these BIG cars, what makes them work and what doesn’t, BUT if Sportsman were the only class offered; I’d race it, b/c I’m a Q-scale racer and I want to race!....... Getting racers to move up to GN is not a simple fix………Maybe the cure to this issue would be more racers?!........So, let’s ALL do our part and promote the sport we all love!

http://www.qsac.org/pdfs/QSAC%20Track%20%20Promo%20Outline%201-1-06.pdf

I know there are area directors but how involved are they with QSAC? How involved should they be? I do know that our area director has not talked to anyone at the top in a while now. In my opinion, if QSAC had a hand in the local scene they could help develop class structures and drivers for the nationals. No, I'm not saying that QSAC needs to dictate local racing, but to have an appointed person to communicate between QSAC & the locals regularly...once a month would be a step in the right direction. The amount of regular racing in a season compared to the NSC is probably tenfold. What is happening on a national level (NCS) is not true data to what reality is with tracks that have seasonal racing.



We all do need to promote our hobby. We also need to promote QSAC. The first step in promoting QSAC is track sanctioning. When a racer comes into the hobby, he needs to know up front that he is required to be a QSAC member & will race under QSAC rules & regulations. Once again, the total number of 1/4 scale racers which are not members compared to racers which are QSAC members is probably tenfold. With everyone being a member, QSAC has more funds to promote the Organization in "whole.”

1/4 Scale racing is by far the coolest form of RC racing that there is, If you look under oval swap you will see my add (selling out of 1/10th scale). I can only afford to race one type of RC toys any more so OFF goes my 1/10 scale. If anyone is interested in 1/10 scale this is a DEAL!!!...


DD

did the same thing years ago. couldn't do both and knew real quick that 1/10 would never again give me the same feelings i get when racing 1/4.
so i sold everything.


we had few big races at our local track and made it a sportsman race instead of GN since many different skill levels would be racing in it.
it was basicly the same had we run GN. the fast guys were fast and the slower then the fast guys were slower. alot of weaving. I had more door to door racing in GN then in sportsman. you have to learn to use the throttle more in GN . in sportsman (at local track) you pretty much just peg it.
and that led to more wreaks then anything because your don't want to let off the gas because you lose too much momentum. if your good in sportsman, you can do good in GN. just tighten the thing up slightly and go race. and start picking the brains of the fast guys until you figure it out and can follow them. then learn to drive like them. the biggest problem with GN is when someone has a problem. the closing rate is greater . you have to pay attention to more then just your car. you have to learn to look ahead.

but you need to learn that in sportsman too. thats where the $$$ some in.

sportsmand and GN is about 2 tenth difference on our track. example.
GN: 6.5 lap time. Sportsman: 6.7 lap time. do you really think that will make a difference in $$$$ when you run into the walll or someone else.
they both are going to hurt.

i've been doing 1/4 since 2000 and didn't run sportsman until 2006 , when i had to because of low turn out and last year because required to for certain races. and it was still alot of fun racing but at the end of day i still wanted that plate out of the car. and it had nothing to do with anyone else on the track. it was just what i was use to.

someone said leave everything the same and figure out the problem. i don't see how leaving everything the same will do anything different then give the same result. if anything ,,, at least make everyone in A main get the same payoff for all paying classes. and see what comes of that. one thing, i think the racing will be better. I think you have some who are running sportsman instead of GN, not because they can't make the A. because they feel they pretty much don't have a chance against 3 or 4 big dogs in GN. and i think we all know who they are. i got the chance to race agaisnt 2 of them this summer quite a few times without having to go to NCS. and i lost of course.
but i can't wait to do it again. i've gotten faster everytime they show up.
and there you have it.

I have mixed opinions on the payout thing. I believe the rationale is just to get more guys running the top classes. A bribe if you will. As it stands now, half the current Sportsman field at the NCS events should probably be running in GN. In the same way the top GN guys seem to scare off competition, the top Sportsman guys scare off new NCS racers. If everyone moves up, we can hopefully have more racers in ALL the classes. Ability wise, many of the Sportsman guys are more than capable of moving up. However, they are going to have to work much, much harder to finish further back in the field. That’s were I see the problem. This isn’t 1/10 scale. You can’t buy the best stuff, get some factory set-up help, and then just wheel yourself to the front. It takes experience and dedication and some just don’t have the patience. Some guys like myself, Brent, Mark, Chance, and others thrive on tough competition and we got our butts handed to us for years before we started winning races. For the guys that have payed their dues and have stuck with GN, its not as fun as is used to be. We want competition. We want making the B-main an accomplishment and making the A-main a great weekend. We are all more than willing to combine and run Sportsman, but we realize that will likely cause more harm than good. So who is willing to move up and get your butt handed to you?

Scott

well said Scott.

I agree...well said Scott.

How would you handle the situation of one or two racers running over their heads in your class (GN or truck)?No I did not miss your point. We ran with 4 trucks just because that is all we had. I would rather do that then run with 8 cars that I have to duck and weave............

I have been in 1/4 scale since 1990.I have always ran GN and Truck until i relocated to GA.When we first started racing at the SugarBowl we ran GN.Some of the guys started runing at Easly and they went to sportman.So i had to run sportsman if i wanted to race.I rather run GN but no one runs the class at the local tracks near me.I like racing the big dogs i havn't beat any of them yet but its fun trying.I have race Scott,Roger,Randy Brown,Randy Baker and maney other top drivers and had my ass handed to me but the knowlege and experience i gain was well worth it.I may never beat these guys but as long as i keep trying i can only get better thats all i can ask for.I love 1/4 scale racing and will do it until i no longer can hold a transmitter or can't see my car hopefuly when i'm 90 (lol)Thats my 2 cents.

How would you handle the situation of one or two racers running over their heads in your class (GN or truck)?

Well fortunatly we did not really have that problem. If we did we would of approached those individuals one and one and had a talk. Most of our guys can be honest with themselves and know what class they belong in.

I understand. We did have had a couple that were in that situation. With us all moving to one class (sp) they didn't look as slow as they actually were.

Thanks,

Well fortunatly we did not really have that problem. If we did we would of approached those individuals one and one and had a talk. Most of our guys can be honest with themselves and know what class they belong in.

Ok wait a sec here..... I'm reading where you guys think that a driver that is a top driver for sportsman class should move up into GN class.... This is way wrong way of thinking. The classes aren't based on skills and the best be in the GN class the classes are sep as a slower class and the faster class. This is not a way to build and fix the GN class by saying so and so needs to race in this class and so forth. Plus there is already a rookie class so to speak of.
As I've said before ask the drivers that race hwat holds them back from racing the GN class and if there's a problem then address it. Don't start catergorizing drivers as to where they should be racing at there skill levels. If there is a racer thats beating you at every race you then you should talk with him and find out what he's donig and practice and get better. I understand it can be a two fold situation here the new guys will get discouraged and quit and if that is the case they wasn't going to be around for the long haul anyhow. If you start catergorizing the elite drivers in Sportsman class by saying they should move up to GN and give some others a chance then you may also run these folks off.
I know I hadn't been invloved in QSAC in some time now but I do plan to step back into it and although I'm not a top level driver or may never be I don't see myself starting out in a rookie class either.
For those that don't race GN class why don't you? What can be done to fix it if it's a Problem to get you into the class? These type of questions need to be asked and then addressed.
The thing is classes are by choice not drivers skills and it should be kept this way. at a local level if you have 3 guys that wants to run GN class by all means allow them I bet in time those 3 will soon be 4 then 5 and so on. But don't say hey we have 5 Sprtsman drivers and 3 GN drivers lets just combine them into sportsman class and have a full field. Thats not a fix and regardless youstill have the same number of racers.
I think I had read a post where one driver packed up and went home because a certain track didn't have a GN class and he refused to put a restrictor plate on. Of course him leaving was his choice but what if you had another 1-2 guys there that would wanted to run with him? yes a full field is nice but also the tracks has to also be considerate to the drivers and classes.

Just think about this and figure out the real problem.

James

Ok wait a sec here..... I'm reading where you guys think that a driver that is a top driver for sportsman class should move up into GN class.... This is way wrong way of thinking. The classes aren't based on skills and the best be in the GN class the classes are sep as a slower class and the faster class. This is not a way to build and fix the GN class by saying so and so needs to race in this class and so forth. Plus there is already a rookie class so to speak of.
As I've said before ask the drivers that race hwat holds them back from racing the GN class and if there's a problem then address it. Don't start catergorizing drivers as to where they should be racing at there skill levels. If there is a racer thats beating you at every race you then you should talk with him and find out what he's donig and practice and get better. I understand it can be a two fold situation here the new guys will get discouraged and quit and if that is the case they wasn't going to be around for the long haul anyhow. If you start catergorizing the elite drivers in Sportsman class by saying they should move up to GN and give some others a chance then you may also run these folks off.
I know I hadn't been invloved in QSAC in some time now but I do plan to step back into it and although I'm not a top level driver or may never be I don't see myself starting out in a rookie class either.
For those that don't race GN class why don't you? What can be done to fix it if it's a Problem to get you into the class? These type of questions need to be asked and then addressed.
The thing is classes are by choice not drivers skills and it should be kept this way. at a local level if you have 3 guys that wants to run GN class by all means allow them I bet in time those 3 will soon be 4 then 5 and so on. But don't say hey we have 5 Sprtsman drivers and 3 GN drivers lets just combine them into sportsman class and have a full field. Thats not a fix and regardless youstill have the same number of racers.
I think I had read a post where one driver packed up and went home because a certain track didn't have a GN class and he refused to put a restrictor plate on. Of course him leaving was his choice but what if you had another 1-2 guys there that would wanted to run with him? yes a full field is nice but also the tracks has to also be considerate to the drivers and classes.

Just think about this and figure out the real problem.

James

Huh? you lost me.............

Thanks for the e-mail, Tim! This kind of proves your point. Communication between QSAC officials and the membership has never been stronger since the internet came a long. I have been getting e-mails about this subject and it’s all good.

Nobody is actually changing anything. Tony and I are just looking at ideas and want the membership’s opinions and comments. In other words, we are simply trying to make a better organization.

To the subject at hand, the growth of GN and Sprints, actually the Sprints car guys have done very well with growth but the turnover rate is pretty high and I can understand that because there are no small Sprint car wrecks. When they do it, they do it big and expensively! Last year QSAC added $200 to the GN payout divided equally among the A drivers for the last two NCS races. This seemed to add a little to the car count. This was also one of the reasons The Pro Class suggestion was made. One of the other reasons was that it allowed the tracks to get more money. Another reason was the questionnaire from last summer where the majority of the membership (60%) stated that they didn’t want one class of cars. So how do we grow GN? May be there is no way to do it. May be, like Scott says, people are no longer willing to put in the effort to go fast in GN. (He is right, by the way, we all got our butts handed to us for a long time before we got fast) I’ll add to that and say that we all spend a tremendous amount of time working on our cars, both at home and at the track. Clean bearings are fast bearings. This has all been said before, it is a level of dedication that few seem to be willing to commit to. Hell, I still get it handed to me with both hands on occasion; Phoenix and Easley come to mind.

I’ve been told that somewhere in QSAC’s past there was a rule that the sportsman champion could no longer run in Sportsman at NCS races. I’m not sure if this is true. Does anyone remember? Do we want to do this again?

QSAC is a sanctioning body and the only races that QSAC controls are the NCS races. We hope and strive for a rules package that everyone will use so that a ¼ scale racer can travel anywhere in the country and race. Trust me it ain’t easy trying to keep everyone happy. I love new enthusiasm but we also must learn from our past and not repeat the same mistakes. This really isn’t easy with Co-chairs changing every two years. Mark stuck around for four which really helped. I’ve been in three and I think we are in pretty good shape.

Now that I’ve said all this I am inspired to go work on my car. The truth is I haven’t touched it since the last race back in October. I’m going to sweep all of those GD plate mock ups off on the floor and put my car on the bench! I just know there is another tenth in it somewhere. Hmmm…….I wonder how stupid it would look with a truck body? Naw, no tenth’s there.