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Good news! Another outlaw track is born!

Posted by Troy Harrison at 08:23:19 AM

I have some great news for everyone who disagreed with my basic theory regarding rules enforcement.  To put it briefly, my contention is that Rules Enforcement = more cars and fans; no Rules Enforcement = less cars and fans.  We now have a perfect test case - Thunder Hill Speedway.

Last week during the A-Modified feature, Steven Bowers was black flagged for leaking fuel.  After ignoring the black flag for three laps, the scorers quit scoring him, in accordance with their rules.  Bowers continued running, and the videotape of the race showed him in the running order.  Predictably, his crew raised a squawk post-race.  Track owner Mike Henry reportedly told Bowers, "I can't afford to lose even a single car," and paid Bowers for where he would have finished had he been scored, and credited Bowers with the points.

Justifiably outraged, head tech inspector Carl Flower quit, as did the rest of the tech crew.  Flower had taken the lead in enforcing the Modified frame rules as written, and had gained much respect from racers and other officials in doing so.  In fact, several tracks had requested that he make up frame jigs for them to use in their tech lanes.

So, here's the situation at T-Hill.  There are no tech officials, and whatever Henry scrapes up by race time Saturday night will likely be under orders that there are no real rules; after all, if the track is unwilling to enforce a DQ for leaking fuel and ignoring the black flag, what rules would be enforced?  T-Hill is a run what you brung track, period.  And, like all run what you brung hillbilly tracks, it comes complete with highly questionable safety personnel and procedures, and a sketchy financial base.

But the good news is this - if I'm wrong, and racers are attracted to tracks that do not enforce rules, car counts should grow at Thunder Hill.  Racers from all over the Midwest whose frames won't pass muster at legitimate tracks have open season at Thunder Hill.  I would expect to see them converge on the track.  Fans, of course, will be attracted to the "outlaw" nature of the racing, and will soon fill the bleachers.

On the other hand, if I'm right, car counts won't grow at the Hill, and will probably even shrink as racers seek out venues that respect their own rules and seek a level playing field.  I do not predict that crowds will shrink, simply because they can't.  Crowds have been in the 50-100 range so far this year.

Oh, and those "safety" procedures?  It would be laughable if it weren't so filled with the potential for tragedy.  Since its opening, safety trucks at the Hill have been staffed by the Mayetta Fire Department, a passionate, skilled, and well equipped group that kept the racers safe.  At least two participants owe their lives to this group.  But, at noon on opening day, Henry chose to save a buck by dismissing them.  The new group has one member with fire apparel (a single layer Proban suit, well used, with work gloves) and others in T-shirts.  Last week, there was a sizable wreck in the B-Modified feature.  The safety crew rolled, but never made it to the wreck.  Why not?  Because a woman who was riding on the back of the safety truck fell off and was injured, so first aid efforts were directed at her.  Luckily, no drivers were hurt in the wreck.

So there it is.  A formerly "rules enforced" track has turned outlaw.  If I'm wrong, this will be a new era of prosperity at the Hill.  If I'm right, the Hill is almost dead, and Henry's move to save one car will cost him several.  Anyone want to place some bets?

 

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