Informational Meeting Reveals Few Details On Proposed Modified Touring Series

Gary Knight, who is behind forming the new Modified Touring Series, addresses attendees at an informational meeting Saturday

Gary Knight, who is behind forming the new Modified Touring Series, addresses attendees at an informational meeting Saturday

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. – There’s been plenty of mystery surrounding the proposed new “Modified Touring Series” since its formation was announced in late October by founder Gary Knight.

And much of that mystery remained following an informational meeting hosted by Knight Saturday at the Knights of Columbus hall in East Longmeadow, Mass.

About 40 people gathered for the informational meeting concerning the proposed new series.

“I got this idea that we can do a Modified Touring Series and we are going to do it,” Knight told those gathered. “But we want to do it with your input.”

Also on hand in support of Knight, were Scott Junod, the director of racing for American Racer tire and Bill Galloway from American Racer New England. The series will be supported by American Racer.

“We want to be part of the Modified world,” Junod said. “We want to reintroduce ourselves to Modifieds. We’re honored to be part of it.”

For the bulk of the two-hour plus meeting, Knight polled those on hand for what they’d be looking for in terms of rules and event structure proceedings and scheduling.

Knight said he hopes to run a 6-8 event schedule in 2016, though he didn’t announce any possible dates or tracks that could be part of that schedule.

“I’ve talked to a lot of tracks,” Knight said. “…We’re not going to stand on the corner and say ‘Nobody wants to give us a date.’ We’re going to get our dates. Everybody wants to know the dates. I’ll announce dates very soon.”

When it was mentioned that most short tracks have already released schedules for the 2016 season Knight did not waver.

“If you ever read at the bottom, ‘Subject to change’,” Knight said. “There’s the answer we’ve got there. Subject to change and we’re going to be the subject that’s going to change that. I do have involvement with these racetracks, every day. I talked to three yesterday.”

Knight said he intends to have a schedule that will remain in New England.

“We’re going to run in the heart of Modified racing,” Knight said. “… We’re in the heart of Modified racing, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire. We’re not going to go out of our market.”

Stafford Motor Speedway and Thompson Speedway have both announced schedules for 2016.

Asked after the meeting if he was confident to be at one of three Connecticut short tracks in 2016 Knight said: “As confident as I’ve got to be. I don’t know. As confident as I’ve got to be. Does it mean I have to buy a date? Did I say there isn’t ways to get dates? Do tracks have dates? There’s dates. We just have to figure out how we’re going to get our dates. We’ll get our dates. Dick Williams [from the Tri Track Open Modified Series] gets his dates. Some of his dates, you know, he gets his dates. He gets them by [leasing tracks], what he has to do.”

Knight said he is speaking to a possible title sponsor for the series from “corporate America” but he could not reveal who. He also said he is working on an exclusive fuel deal, but could not reveal which company that would be with. He also said he has not made a decision on a race director for the series.

“I’ve talked to people,” Knight said of the race director position. “But I don’t believe you pull that name out of a hat. But I have talked. I will have that announced. That’s an important decision. I just won’t give that away.”

In October, when Knight announced the formation of the series, he made clear that he didn’t think then that the new series could coexist with the Valenti Modified Racing Series in already packed market of touring Modified divisions.

“We’ve been in negotiations with [Valenti Modified Racing Series founder and owner] Jack Bateman to purchase the series and that was unsuccessful,” Knight said on October 26. “And we really just felt like we could provide a better product, but we can’t have two series. The intent is not to have to two touring series’. The tracks do not want two series’. … The teams are the deciding factor. If they choose to go with this series then it gives the tracks to make the decision of what series they want to plug into. We can’t have two series. I will not damage Modified racing. It will hurt the racetracks and hurt the fans and hurt the teams by having two series run the same type of rules.”

Saturday Knight backed off from that previous statement.

“I’m not here to put Jack Bateman out of business,” Knight said. “I’m not here to put [the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour] out of business. I’m here to get in business. Let them do their deal, we’ll do ours. There’s room for more than one series. There’s room for more than two and I’m going to find my mark.”

Recently named Valenti Modified Racing Series race director Wayne Wildermuth was in attendance at the meeting.

“There’s no worry,” Wildermuth said. “The more racing the better. And who knows? This series, we’ve heard it a lot today and it was pretty impressive. There’s a lot of things that were on the table that are pretty smart. … What I’d like to see is results that’s going to happen. If the results are as good as they say that may bring more Modifieds out of the woodwork. More people come out and race. It doesn’t mean that it’s going to take away from other series’. It may, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that at the forefront.

“What I want to see is results. If he can do some of the stuff he says, that’s going to be great for racing in general. He has a lot of good ideas and the fact he’s listening for input is a great thing. Every series needs input from their drivers or drivers are going to get mad and go somewhere else, so that’s a good thing. He doesn’t have drivers yet, but he has a lot of input from possible drivers.”

Knight did announce a purse structure that would pay $2,500 to race winners and $13,250 overall for the top-10 in each event. Second place would pay $1,600, third $1,400 down to 10th paying $1,000.

“I think we can do a quality job with what we have,” Knight said.

Comments

  1. Luke Skywalker says

    Sounds like you wasted your day Shawn. Thanks for actually getting out there to get some answers but this guy definitely has nothing to offer other than selling t-shirts.

  2. This series sounds like it will draw cars from everywhere with that whopping purse and $2,500.00 to win.

  3. Does this guy have what it takes?

    Here’s what’s needed:

    1. Rules… comprehensive, clear, and concise rules.

    2. A technical group that enforces those rules.

    3. A purse that makes it worthwhile.

    4. A purse that makes it worthwhile.

    5. A purse that makes it worthwhile.

  4. I think having a tire company behind you is a plus. Hopefully they can get this series started

  5. I’m in support of the concept but lets face facts. If he can’t get Jacks regulars he’s not going to get too far off the ground. The Tour guys have proven they aren’t venturing off the farm. How many support the big paying Tri track deal? They need that NASCAR flag snapping in the wind I guess. The core of the MRS are
    great guys that can and do put on a terrific show most of the time but Jacks revolving door with officials
    means something isn’t quite right there. IF he can get a dozen Mods that are not MRS guys now and peel
    of another 10 or so regulars to start with a low twenty car count he might have a shot. If he doesn’t race against the MRs (date wise) will some guys try both? Will Jack “punish” them if they do? The AR thing is the biggest question starting out. How many guys in NE want to start an all new book learning these things? On the ROC they had tough time the first year but by the second guys were starting to get them going and by year end many were liking them. I like them and I thing in the long run racing will be better with the AR. ( no need to play the Barrett stroke&swap thing) to win races. Going to be tough but I’ll try and get to some of these events where ever they end up. Good luck Mr Knight.

  6. Good luck Gary with your new series. If you can get a sponsor from corporate America that is a great start and is appears like American racer is all in. Now all you have to do is hire dareal to be in charge because he knows it all from carburetors to coil binding, just ask him………….

  7. knuckles mahoney says

    Only speaking for myself, but I try to make all tour type modified races. I can’t afford to go see another series with likely 10 teams or so to start. I won’t be going to any, bad idea for at least this fan.

  8. What makes you think that by starting a new series will do much of anything to improve modified racing in the northeast. As things stand now the nascar tour is having the best time of things. But please that a good number of the core race teams are packing it in
    They much more than you are sble to, and still.they going to be missing some the real inportant teams. They are going to be teams that help.to put fans in the stands. Your purse set will not make any of those key teams return and run with group. One big problem I see is using the.American Racer tires. You are asking the car owners to invest in a whole extra set of tires , pay that tire bill and up with a smaller purse? This willwork.

  9. What makes you think that by starting a new series will do much of anything to improve modified racing in the northeast. As things stand now the nascar tour is having the best time of things. But please that a good number of the core race teams are packing it in
    They much more than you are sble to, and still.they going to be missing some the real inportant teams. They are going to be teams that help.to put fans in the stands. Your purse set will not make any of those key teams return and run with group. One big problem I see is using the.American Racer tires. You are asking the car owners to invest in a whole extra set of tires , pay that tire bill and up with a smaller purse? This willwork.

  10. What makes you think that by starting a new series will do much of anything to improve modified racing in the northeast. As things stand now the nascar tour is having the best time of things. But please that a good number of the core race teams are packing it in
    They much more than you are sble to, and still.they going to be missing some the real inportant teams. They are going to be teams that help.to put fans in the stands. Your purse set will not make any of those key teams return and run with group. One big problem I see is using the.American Racer tires. You are asking the car owners to invest in a whole extra set of tires , pay that tire bill and up with a smaller purse? This willwork.

  11. What Crazy in NY said… perfect.

    I’d like to add that there are many more cars that are and have been idle of years… what can be done to get these cars running?

    Another series will only dilute the existing series even more. Need to get more cars running.

  12. I think this new Modified Touring Series might actually have some legs to stand on. Gary seems to be on the side of the racer and fans alike. He wants to put on a great show for the fans and not have to break the racers bank at the same time. $2500 for first seems like a fair purse for the winning team all the way down to $600 for last place, with a total purse of $22,600, with even down to 10th place bringing home $1000. The MRS purse is between $13,000 and $15,000 and wasn’t 11 through 24 paying only a whopping $475. I heard this year he’s actually going up $900 in the back of the back of the field. The way I see it is this: that no matter how you want to slice it racing is a losing game. You never get back what you put into it. But for even the last place place car to break even for a day doing what they love is not bad at all. The American Racer New England has given a good price per tire for the MTS of $150 and the first set bought is buy 3 get 1 free, where MRS has gone up to $155 and nothing free. Jack’s regulars/favorites will likely stay where they are because, let’s face it, why would they go somewhere where they might actually have to prove they have what it takes to be in a top spot verses having it handed to them week after week. Lower budget teams don’t have a chance to advance anywhere in the MRS program. They are just there as “fill in the back of the field” drivers. In my opinion, if you think you’re good enough to be the best prove it…start in the back of the pack and actually drive your @$$ off to the front of the field…and EARN IT! The way it sits now, they start in the front so they can stay int he front and brag about how they beat everyone because they are the best driver out there…PLEASE!! At least with MTS you’ll actually have to DRIVE to earn a win. Look, this sport is full of egomaniacs and if someone comes along and tries to challenge the egos of these so called “amazing drivers” no one wants to play. My question is: Do they really have what it takes to drive a real race instead of going round and round on a merry-go-round??? Maybe it’s time for some of these guys to “put up or shut up!!!

  13. Only problem I have with this series is timing, the meeting is about 3 months late, no schedule yet and its dam near new years! A race director, Tech Inspector, Tracks that will add to the schedules that already came out all need to be addressed ASAP. If he gets this thing running I think teams will start to go depending on where the tracks are.

    Positives are Purse and Tires and New Blood running the program, they are fresh ideas for once in a stale modified racing scene.

  14. Show me where on the calendar you are going to fit more races in without being in direct conflict with the WMT, Tri-Track or the VMRS? The rent a track thing doesn’t work either. It never draws fans in. Now maybe a better idea is to find one track to add 6 races to their Saturday night program and see where that goes. At least for 2016. Either way, there aren’t enough teams or fans to support all these series on a regular basis. The WMT has two off weeks between the July NHMS race and the Fall Final in October. How many of those guys or their fans are going to spend those precious off weekends attending other series? The only chance this new series has is to steal the VMRS drivers away. Beyond that, this won’t work.

  15. crazy in NY says

    RG, I think some of your comments are way off base here friend. The MRS has had more different drives hit victory lane in the last few years than either the Tour or the ROC. The competition and
    race quality is very good there in my opinion and outside of some of their rules and procedures they
    have a great product. I don’t race there but you hear a lot of grumbling from different corners about
    how ,why and when they do certain things. Everybody in racing wants a bigger purse ,that’s a given,
    and another series that pays better can only be a good thing I think. There many more factors in
    play I know but the idea this will hurt Modified racing I don’t see.

  16. What it comes down to is the purse. Will this new series actually be able to deliver on a bigger purse? Most importantly, where is that revenue going to come from? As it is, ticket prices and event frequency influence fan attendance. This new series is not going to create a new population of fans. And it will not get the same fan base to spend more $$$ and go to more races. The best this series can do is draw fans and participants from another series. This series will probably have no choice, as in dictated by the tracks, to debut with some other show, or weekly series events. It would be crazy to think of a new series running a standalone show.

    But the fact that someone has the moxie to try to start a new series shows how much discontent there is in the established series. All the established series are struggling with low car counts and small purses.

    This series needs to prove that the purses will be as advertised and get paid.

  17. Good purses will attract racers, but from where? I don’t think there are 20-30 modified teams hanging out waiting for a new series to race. I think the Whelen teams are mostly just that due to the expense of running the tour. Most of the other teams out there would be hard pressed to buy both tire brands to run two different series events. The “tire wars” are successful on dirt because there are so many cars and teams. I don’t know that it would work on pavement as it will take cars from other sanctions, giving you more events but lower car counts per event.

  18. Bob Freeman says

    I’ve said it before and I will say it again – I wonder why a big-buck tour focusing on the weekly modified – the SK modified – is not pursued.

  19. Bob- A touring SK modified series would be very harmful (even close to fatal) for New England short track racing. Stafford is the home to the SKs and they were getting about 15 cars at the end of the season. A CT track that would welcome that type of touring series would be encouraging their small handful of premiere division cars to leave the weekly scene and tour other tracks.
    Some of these tracks already show an incredible lack of awareness in the problems surrounding local racing by inviting all these touring series to compete at their speedway. It seems that their illogical thoughts are to invite more series and divisions to bring in more back gate revenue.

  20. Just a thought: The Speedbowl has their SK150 on a Saturday and Stafford has their SK 5K on a Friday. If Seekonk ran an SK race on a Sunday like they did a few years ago ( with better planning ahead and a little more promotion) and Thompson ran one of their Wednesdays as a “bigger purse longer distance” SK race, there’s four. And that doesn’t take any teams from their home track. With a points fund to entice more guys to run them all, you have the “Southern New England Sunoco Modified Series”, or something like that.

  21. Rockyt, You hit the nail on the head. Too many tours are would be detrimental to weekly racing, especially an SK modified tour. Some tracks give one of their regular divisions the night off when a tour rolls in. The regular fans don’t care to much for the increase in cost for those events, and some don’t bother to attend because their favorite division might not be racing that night. Weekly home track racing must continue to survive in order for regular fans to stay interested. Some of the tours bring in cars and drivers that weekly fans are not familiar with, so they end up staying home.

Leave a Reply

Copyright 2018 E-Media Sports

Website Designed by Thirty Marketing