Great to see Big Diamond going the Dirtcar route

[mccreadiefan939]

More tracks that are on the same rules and tires the better for dirt modified racing

[RJO]

I didn't get to look at the AARN yet to read the story on this but it just doesn't make a lot of sense, the motor's don't fall under the Dirt rules and they would be about the only track in the area running Hoosier tires. Grandview the other track running the same rules as Big Diamond last year will be running American Racer tires so now they will have the added expense of buying different tires to run both tracks. Seems to me it would of made more sense to join Nascar the same as Grandview. When I say the only track on Hoosier tires I mean the 358 cars.

[jodyr]

_{I don't understand the reasoning behind this ? Where do they plan on getting cars from ? Last year on most nights, they were lucky to have 25 cars a night. There were nights they ran the 3000 to win shows and still were not able to pull cars. Next year they have announced increases in the winners purse if a certain number of cars show up. It would be in there best interest to increase the start money to attract more teams , rather than making the purse "top heavy".  In my opinion, there will not be that big of a difference between the cars as most are already using VP Gas and the motors are very comparable to DIRT 358's. The obvious is the Hoosier Tires. I guess time will tell.........}

[KB19]

I didn't get to look at the AARN yet to read the story on this but it just doesn't make a lot of sense, the motor's don't fall under the Dirt rules and they would be about the only track in the area running Hoosier tires. Grandview the other track running the same rules as Big Diamond last year will be running American Racer tires so now they will have the added expense of buying different tires to run both tracks. Seems to me it would of made more sense to join Nascar the same as Grandview. When I say the only track on Hoosier tires I mean the 358 cars.

 

The motor rules aren't that different between Big Diamond and DIRTcar, as a matter of fact, there are quite a few DIRT-legal 358s running at Diamond/Grandview now. My guess is that DIRT has worked out some sort of deal so that the motors that aren't DIRT-legal are phased out after a year or 2, instead of making them illegal right away.

 

Grandview has no interest in working with Big Diamond--and last year introduced a rule that Grandview cars must have Grandview-stamped American Racers on the car to compete. So, last year Big Diamond tires weren't legal at Grandview either.

 

Of the top-30 in final Big Diamond points, only 11 of them raced weekly at Grandview on Saturdays. So it isn't like a ton of the drivers are currently running both nights as is. I've asked a few drivers about it already, and everyone of them is excited about Big Diamond going DIRTcar-sanctioned. Looking like they might even gain quite a few cars in weekly competition.

 

Last thing to factor in, there's still a chance that another area track may be running Hoosiers next year as well.

 

I think this is a great move by Big Diamond. I think they're going to have a great season.

[jodyr]

The motor rules aren't that different between Big Diamond and DIRTcar, as a matter of fact, there are quite a few DIRT-legal 358s running at Diamond/Grandview now. My guess is that DIRT has worked out some sort of deal so that the motors that aren't DIRT-legal are phased out after a year or 2, instead of making them illegal right away.

 

Grandview has no interest in working with Big Diamond--and last year introduced a rule that Grandview cars must have Grandview-stamped American Racers on the car to compete. So, last year Big Diamond tires weren't legal at Grandview either.

 

Of the top-30 in final Big Diamond points, only 11 of them raced weekly at Grandview on Saturdays. So it isn't like a ton of the drivers are currently running both nights as is. I've asked a few drivers about it already, and everyone of them is excited about Big Diamond going DIRTcar-sanctioned. Looking like they might even gain quite a few cars in weekly competition.

 

Last thing to factor in, there's still a chance that another area track may be running Hoosiers next year as well.

 

I think this is a great move by Big Diamond. I think they're going to have a great season.

In your opinion KB19 who would they gain ?? Some Jersey cars ? I think they might even lose a car or two- Is Norm going to buy Hoosier's and support BD ??

[RJO]

Well I have to go along with jodyr it just don't make much sense to me and I guess time will tell. Only other track running 358's in the area and it really isn't in the area is New Egypt. The deal with the tire stamp all comes down to a tire deal made with the tire company. More money in the tracks pocket.

[pbutter16x]

Nothing against DIRTcar but with a Hoosier tire they racing at Big Diamond is going to suck.  If Dirt even got rid of Hoosier it would be a great improvement 

[RJO]

Many years back in this area we had the Tri-Track series Big Diamond Grandview and Penn National they all worked together and they always had no problem with car counts. So now a days the thing to do is not work together and get low car counts and wonder why you can't get cars to run for you even if you pay a high purse. I am sure that all the guys running the Dirt 358's in New York will be making the trip to Big Diamond weekly to run there, not!

[mhoffman]

I'm surprised by this move but here is the question could you use stamped tires from Grandview at Big Diamond last year? 

 

I thought they were getting a super dirt race not going Dirt weekly.  Interesting trying to think who will drive the 4* car next year for dirt car points hmmm........

[KB19]

Laubach is definitely going to run there weekly again next year, and Jimmy Blewett and Ryan Godown said now that they're DIRT they're probably going to run there weekly too.

 

Yes, Norm Hansell will be back at Big Diamond weekly next year. The 4* team is going to travel a little more with Strunk next year, but neither Strunk or Vinnie have any interest in running the 358 Series.

 

Ron, again, they aren't going DIRT-legal 358s right away. The rules will stay similar to last year, by 2015 the rules will change a little more to being 100% DIRT-legal, etc. They've done this in the past as well with other tracks that join DIRTcar. Again--again, a good percentage of the current PA small blocks are DIRT legal.

 

Grandview's deal with the tire stamps had nothing to do with a deal with the tire provider. They did it because they feel they sell more tires than Big Diamond and, like you said, the way they're doing it is more money in their pocket. Grandview was the track that didn't want to work with Big Diamond (just like they ruined the relationship they had a few years ago with New Egypt and Bridgeport when they scheduled races against their big shows, while New Egypt and Bridgeport scheduled off-nights against Grandview's big shows), so Big Diamond did what was in their best interest. It's a gamble, and we'll have to see how it works out.

[mccreadiefan939]

yep, Strunk and T-Mac will be the drivers for the 4* team once again

[Josh Bayko]

Many years back in this area we had the Tri-Track series Big Diamond Grandview and Penn National they all worked together and they always had no problem with car counts. So now a days the thing to do is not work together and get low car counts and wonder why you can't get cars to run for you even if you pay a high purse. I am sure that all the guys running the Dirt 358's in New York will be making the trip to Big Diamond weekly to run there, not!

 

Northern cars travel to Lernerville and Sharon for DIRTcar points....

 

It's not out of the realm of possibility that northern racers would travel to Big Diamond.

[chas71]

Grandview hasn't shown any interest in working with Big Diamond and this wouldn't have happened if they had. Good for Bog Diamond and good for Dirtcar. If New Egypt goes Dirtcar, watch out.

 

Starting to see a little snowball effect and the more tracks that join Dirtcar, the better. If every track had the same rules, we'd have bigger fields of cars at the races and it would save the teams money.

[racer64]

Bridgeport and Newegypt might also be joing Dirt

[toprowturn1guy]

Same deal I heard about Bridgeport and New Egypt.  Keep in mind as well, that Big Diamond is paying $2750 weekly to the winner, compared to most NY tracks paying $1500.  It could make some guys think a little.

[mhoffman]

when does Big diamond open up their season, when do cny tracks open up their season,  might see some guys travel early on to see if they can pull in some of them 2750 or 3000+ first place money, maybe then hook them guys and say you know what I like it here this will be my friday night home never know can't hurt to try but everybody wanted one set of rules and the more DIRT gains tracks the more the rules will be the same across the board.  We can agree one set of rules across the board will be better then all indepentent tracks trying to get modifieds in the northeast.

[toprowturn1guy]

All I can say, is hey atleast they are trying.  Will it work out?  who knows.  But, why not give it a shot.  Long overdue.  Matt, the season normally starts a week or two after Selinsgrove with a big paying small block show, then a big paying big block show the week after.   We'll have to see if they follow the same scheduling patterns of years past. 

[WheelsUpHammerDown10]

Laubach is definitely going to run there weekly again next year, and Jimmy Blewett and Ryan Godown said now that they're DIRT they're probably going to run there weekly too.

 

 

Awesome news!!! Those would be three great additions to the SDS Tour next year should they decide to follow it.

 

I'm loving all these DIRTcar changes that are going on currently. Should make for an exciting year in 2014!

[toprowturn1guy]

One thing that is certain.  This track is going definitely in the right direction.  Car counts picked up towards the end of the year, where they were getting in the 30 car range.  They have been dumping more clay on the track already.  The track surface was one of the best I seen this year with minimal dust, minimal ruts, and multiple grooves(the long way around is actually faster).  Jake sure knows how to work a track.  They are paying 2750 to win, and upping it to 3000 if they pull more than 35 cars I think.  The place is cleaned up.  Everything is going well there.  Adding the DIRT tag can be nothing but good for them.  The insurance and point money will be good.  Only thing is the tire deal, as they been on American Racers for a while now.  But, someone is telling me that this tire deal actually benefits them.  Diamond over the past years has seen some northerners dabble there, but never stuck around long Friesen, Danny, Higbie, Mahaney, Varin, and the red cars have turned some laps there in the past few years.   Scagliotta actually started his career there in a sportsman, with a few wins.  It is still a case of chasing Howard, Strunk, and CVD across the line, but with more laps turned at the place by some cars, who knows.  I do know, a few of the locals wanted to head north a few times, but rule variations kept them away.  So, maybe this turns things around for PA and NY seeing a few new faces at times.

[toprowturn1guy]

Seems like the only loser right now is the track that draws the most cars, and pays the most which is Grandview.  They have been choosing to burn bridges with other tracks, and sitting on an island by themselves, which is only going to work so long for them.  Also, they had a major debacle on Saturday at their track, which wasn't promoted by the track, but was at the track, so this certainly can't help their cause.                                                                                    

[RJO]

Got to read the article in the AARN and it says that all division's that race there will be changing over to Hoosier tires. That would be 358's sportsman roadrunners and late models that will be running every other week next year.

[leroy]

Am I wrong, or were there not small block cars running weekly at Albany Saratoga this season that were not DIRTlegal?  I thought this was an issue when the series came to town for some racers. I don't think it will matter if the motors at Big Diamond are DIRTlegal or not.

[toprowturn1guy]

I am not a motor head by any means.  So, when people talk motors, I have no clue.  But if I understand correctly, the alcohol motors are not dirt legal.  For a time, everyone had the alcohol motors down this way.  But, most teams got away from them anyway.  I do know about 5 yrs. ago, Jack Johnson came down for the Coalcracker with a DIRT motor, and after his heat, he realized how uncompetitive it was, and loaded up and went home.  So, what it comes down to is it was keeping the northerners away for a period.  But, again, maybe someone with more motor knowledge than me can answer the question better than I can.

[banana cognac]

Awesome news!!! Those would be three great additions to the SDS Tour next year should they decide to follow it.

 

I'm loving all these DIRTcar changes that are going on currently. Should make for an exciting year in 2014!

 

Those drivers would still have to pick up big block home track points somewhere to make following the tour a realistic possibility, correct?

[KB19]

Those drivers would still have to pick up big block home track points somewhere to make following the tour a realistic possibility, correct?

 

That's where Bridgeport comes into play.

 

For the record, I haven't heard anything about New Egypt going DIRT, but I know for a fact that Bridgeport is thinking about making the switch.