3/14/2015
IRA Interstate Racing Association
IRA Meeting Notes - Opening Night is Next
A good turnout with numerous teams represented were on hand for the March 8th IRA membership meeting at Friends On Forest Home in Greenfield. As a reminder to all, March 30th is the final day discounted memberships (Gold $150, Standard $50) will be available as prices go back up April 1st ($200, $75). Any driver running for points has to purchase a Gold membership which includes IRA's excess insurance package and provides point fund and contingency eligibility.
MEETING NOTES: We have agreed to remain on the same tire package that we've been on the past 2 years and are NOT allowing the new HR15 as a RR option. Knoxville, NSL, & MOWA have also taken this same position as us. Many tracks such as Attica, Fremont, Husets, and River Cities utilize the hardest option, Med/25, as their weekly tire thus they are not allowing the HR15 either for their non-specials. As most know Howie has retired from the tire business and Steve will be carrying tires in the IRA trailer. We can get the HR15 for those wanting them as an option for WoO events, and the exact compound rule has yet to be determined for the co-sanctioned race with the All-Stars. We will be placing our first tire order the first week of April, anyone with a specific order should email Steve at siraprez@sbcglobal.net and those tires will be set aside and held for you. Tires MUST BE paid for at the time they are picked up, period. We are looking into a credit
card option down the road, but for now it's cash or check. Tires must be purchased from us to be rebate eligible, and tires purchased from us for WoO events are rebate eligible too. Tire prices are the same as last year, no increase.
We will be increasing the benefits for our 100% teams.
Regarding tow money, we will continue to pay it at pill draw at the next race as we always have. To be clear however, if you are on the tow plan and you choose not to come to the next event (unless on grace because of previous night crash or blown engine on consecutive race weekend) you will forfeit the tow for THAT particular event. Just wanna be clear, we are not holding tow money.
We are gonna try an run as many 24 car A-mains as possible when we have enough cars to warrant a 4 heat program, thus taking 5 out of each heat in those situations.
The redraw process is the same as the past several years, however we will be changing the number of pills in the bag from just one 2-5, and adding additional 3 & 4's. The A-main pill draw will be behind the flag stand just prior to each IRA B-main, with all 10 drivers required to be there. We need to get more fan interaction with our teams. Any driver not attending the redraw will start behind those that do come.
Tethers are becoming more of a norm in the industry and we are highly suggesting that both types of front-end tethers be included in your future part purchases. They are mandated by WoO & Knoxville now, with others joining on, and from a liability standpoint we will look at making them a required piece in 2016.
We will be taking a stronger stance on the safety side of tech. Seat Belts in particular must be current per rule book. Any car that does not appear safe, either prior to an event OR wanting to return to the track from the work area, must be safe in the eyes of an IRA official to be allowed to compete.
We are always looking for more sponsorship. We have series presenting, race night title, and banquet sponsorships available. There is a finder's fee paid to anyone bringing in a sponsor, and we can customize a plan to anyone's needs.
Leave room at the very top of your center foil on either top or nose wing for the large Bumper to Bumper / IRA series decal, and we will hand out a list of several mandated stickers on opening night. So save room when designing your wrap please.
We are truly enthused over the potential of what 2015 can, and should be. The pool of cars to draw from in IRA territory is the highest in recent memory. we truly are looking forward to great year.
Don't forget to get your memberships in prior to April 1st to receive the discount, ($10 savings on a opening night pit pass $25 compared to $35 as an example of what you can save being a member) AND email Steve if you have specific tire order you need by opening night. The order will be placed first week of April.
Submitted By: Kim Tennyson
