NEETS NEWS

Well, it's just under 3 months away...the first race of the 2009 points season at Grandview Speedway... There are several issues we faced during the 2008 season that we are working hard to resolve, issues such as line-ups, pre-race and post-race technical inspections, red flag procedures and a few other 'new NEETS procedures'.

I would like to take some time now, in the pre-season, to try to implement some new procedures to address these complications.

1) First off, let's start at the beginning... before you even get to the speedway... Based on a poll on our foum, most drivers seem to be in favor of utilizing a one-way scanner system. Based on previous experiences, a one-way scanner system will make a lot of the day's components flow easier as well... So, for 2009, one major change you will see is the implementation of a ONE-WAY scanner system. All drivers will be required to be equipped with a one-way scanner for the race. I will explain in greater detail during the rest of this update the purposes and procedures we will be taking with this addition. New rules will be added to our RuleBook as well, see the closing statement for details.

For the record, there will be NO TWO-WAY RADIOS, hence the repetition of the words "ONE-WAY".

2) I have created the Driver Information Sheets to be filled out each race. In 2008, we had exhibition races only, so it made sense for us to request them at each event...that will change in 2009. Once you submit your information sheet, we will keep it on file for you so you will not have to fill it out each time. All that we request is that you fill one out! I have provided a direct link to the sheet here, IF you decide to fill this out before the first race, just email it to me! ...just make sure you use a large enough sized font...preferably 14-18 point font.

Driver Information/Profile Sheet

Joe Cutri's email address - joe@neetsracing.com

Remember, these sheets serve dual purposes. The announcer will study the information you provide us with so that your name and sponsors are announced properly (tiny fonts will be hard to read and likely won't be read). Also, we want emergency contact information. Many drivers attend the races either by themselves or with a friend...how many friends do you have that know the details of your medical history?

3) Registration and Tech Inspections...to be or not to be... In the past, we have always required each driver to register their vehicle then proceed to the Tech area for a pre-race SAFETY inspection. This is going to be altered this season. Once you arrive at Grandview Speedway, in a fairly timely manner unload your vehicle then please proceed to register and bring your car to the Tech area for a 'Pre-Race Technical Inspection'...not just safety alone... New in 2009!!! We will be performing a full-blown inspection on EACH and EVERY car racing. You will be notified if there is an issue with a part of your car before you hit the dirt! This way, if there is something illegal, you have the time to change it before the race so you will be guaranteed a position when you finish the race. In the past, drivers with illegal parts were disqualified from the race after doing all the work...taking the fun right out of the day. We are looking to change this so that the cars on the track are legal...all of them...or else, they will be on the track full-knowingly participating in the event 'just for fun'.

When you bring your car to the Tech area, your car will be checked as if you have already raced and placed in a paying position... If your car is legal, you will be given a sticker stating you have passed inspection. If there is something illegal on the car, you will be given three choices:

1 - Remove the illegal part(s) if possible.
     (Sharp metal that could act as a tire cutter - cut it off.)
     OR - Fix the part that the Tech Inspector has an issue with...
     (No window net? - Put one in before the race!)
2 - Run the race with the illegal parts.
     (Obviously an illegal motor is not getting swapped out in the pits.)
     Driver is awarded no points and does not qualify for purse.
3 - Do not race...you go home.
     Honestly, this is your call here, we won't send anyone home
     unless there are extreme safety issues.

Again...YOU ARE GIVEN THE CHOICE... We will not send anyone home without racing unless there are extreme safety issues that cannot be addressed before the race. We would consider extremes to be no harnesses, no safety gear such as helmet or fire-suit, no roll bars at all, and most importantly a rear fill fuel tank that has not been moved. Certain issues can be abated while at the track, but there are times when we will have to deny some people the ability to compete...PLEASE...read all the rules thoroughly before arriving and making us have to be the 'bad guy'.

No glass including the windshield should be removed at the track...you will have to deal with the owners of the speedway if you decide to remove glass at the track. This may be in the form of a fine!!!

The end result of a pre-race technical inspection: The winner of the race IS the winner! The illegal cars that are running in the race aill not receive points or purse. There should be no reason for DQ's... If you would like to argue the idea that people who do pass through tech will then re-install the illegal parts...just a reminder, the top five cars will be re-teched if there were issues in the pre-race tech... Plus, if you can squeeze 30 + horsepower out of that car in under a couple of hours, you deserve to be racing in the big leagues...

As an added sense of security...IF a vehicle is found to have illegal parts/adjustments made after the pre-race tech...the driver will lose any points awarded including any points awarded from the previous event. This will be a decision reserved for the promoters alone. This will be a last resort option. THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT CHEAT. If you are caught cheating and give us the sense that we should have caught it in the past...we will not hesitate to revoke points.

4) Line-ups... In the past, the line-ups have been confusing and clustered. In 2009, we will be implementing a call-to-race system ulitlizing the pit-side PA system and your scanners. Instead of the middle of the pack taking the field first and then the first couple of cars lining up next then the last group coiming out...etc... We will be calling drivers over the PA system for the line-up as well as using the scanners that each driver will have. At the driver's meeting, take note of the posted line-up order for your division. After the driver's meeting, everyone will be given a couple of minutes to prep/suit-up before being called to line up...this is when you should turn on your scanner! Three cars will be called at a time, you must be ready for the call, we will give adequate notice before we start calling for cars.

When we call your number out, head to the staging area and wait for the flagger to wave you onto the track - any car on the track before being called or waved on will start in the back. Please look around for cars that will be starting near you based on the line-up that was posted at the driver's meeting...if you don't recognize who is around you, you are probably in the wrong spot.

Once you hit the track, proceed to take ONE FULL LAP. This is to test your transponder. The head flagger will be standing near the start/finish line and will signal to you if your unit is working or not. If everything checks out, he will wave you to the infield to line up. If the unit is not working, you will be waved back to the pits or to a designated official who will have spare units...you will not be penalized.

This all looks good on paper, but your cooperation (and the transponders for that matter...) will aid us in keeping things moving along in an organized manner.

Any car is allowed to scratch to the rear of the field...to help us and your fellow drivers, please inform us at or before the driver's meeting of this change.

5) Red Flags... We have always had the issue of cars rolling to a stop over a lenghty distance... This is mainly a reminder that 2009 is a pionts season and cars that roll a quarter of the way around the track after the red flag is thrown will be either moved back or penalized. The implementation of the scanners will either assist you or hurt you... The flag will be thrown and the call will be made over the scanner simultaneously. IF you do not heed the call, we will move you back or score you down a lap. As been discussed race after race, do not lock up your brakes trying to stop as soon as the call is made BUT don't roll around wiating for the car to stop itself. Slow down...stop the car...don't roll or coast under red...it's as easy as that.

In closing, I will be adding the new rules to the rulebook as soon as possible. I will also be trying to print out a NEETS Handbook to give to each driver at the first event...this way, we are all on the same page regarding what is legal, what the payouts will be, our schedule, our sponsors...etc... I am looking forward to seeing a lot of new faces this season at Grandview Speedway. We are working diligently to make our first full-season on dirt a spectacular experience for everyone, and as always, we need YOU to make it so! NEETS is all about the drivers, you decide your level of involvement, we are always open to new ideas!