Approaching Mid-Season, I offer the following edited exchange of e-mails as a comment on how it's going:  

Hi Boysen,

We are thinking about running Pueblo this weekend, how do you think the dirt show over by Springs will affect the car count??  ... can you shed a little light on the situation?

Reply:

The dirt show won’t affect our car count, as none of them have yet raced with us, and none of our pavement teams are going to that show, as far as I know. I expect 10-12 cars, if we count yours, at Pueblo this w/e.

I looked at the Calhan track last December to see if it was an option for us. It isn’t. It’s a horse trotting track around the rodeo pens, perfectly flat, about 60-70 ft wide, with an outer crash wall made of about 4 ft high massive concrete blocks. The “wall” has 4 openings, for access to the pit and rodeo arena, which are unprotected blunt ends facing the race line. Their cars are older “sportsman” midgets which would be welcome to run with us, but probably not competitive, which is why we don't see them.

What we need, is for all serious Midget racers to get involved, support our schedule, and help build the car count. Then, we have some leverage with the tracks and can make and keep promises to them. Once that’s in place, we can decide where we want to go and what we want to do. But as long as we are missing potentially good cars because they don’t like some detail of, or aren’t sure about the value of our program, it will never improve. This is not directed at you. We appreciate the support you have shown. It is an explanation of what’s going on, and has been going on since Rocky Mountain National, “Denver’s Dirt Track”, closed. Actually, even before it closed, as car counts began dropping when some owners, and fans too, began staying away in protest over a very abrasive dirt surface which “ate tires”.

It’s really all about cost. That which we have tried to address, but can’t really be solved to everyone’s satisfaction and preference (even the spec tire rule, aimed partly at cost containment, serves as an excuse for a few to not run with us). We had 6 cars in Cheyenne, 3 less than really expected, 6 less than easily possible without recent engine and crash damage, and 10-11less than doable with cars known to be running. I recently read a comment by a long-time supporter  who said he wouldn’t walk across the street for free admission to a 6-car Midget Race. Well, the Cheyennne race was actually pretty good, and enjoyed by those who were there on both sides of the fence. But that attitude by racers and fans is part of the problem. This isn’t 1950, or 1960; I’ve been involved with RMMRA since 1975, and the complaints and problems have been much the same since then. Bottom line is, club Racers need to race... within their means... and enjoy it for what it is. That will remain the focus of our program until it succeeds or until we burn out, each of which are equally likely.

Thanks again for your participation,

Boysen

Remember, RMMRA returns to the Dirt on July 18 at I-76, and then on to the CornHusker Challenge for three tremendous nights with POWER-i  July 27-28-29, plus non-points races the Sat prior and Belleville following, then again at I-76 on Aug 8 !! 

Need help with your Midget racer? Bring it to the track; our expert staff of Champions will assist you, as they did Justin Mallo and crew Sat at Big Country Speedway in Cheyenne. Keith and Tony pitched in, and showed their  sportsmanship, as they always do. All three then went out and ran another impressive 20-lap all green Main, with Keith prevailing from the back row. It was a fun, competitive race day, and RMMRA is proud of its drivers and crews.

I-25 Speedway, Pueblo and the RMMRA Midgets promise a big Fireworks display, on and off the track, next Sat the Fourth of July. Join us in the pits or in the stands Having Fun - Racing Midgets. Pit gate at Noon; Hot Laps throughout afternoon; Qualifying about 4; Racing at 5:30

Tony Rossi roared to an over-due win, Justin Mallo roared into the lead from a mid-field start with outside passing, and the crowd roared their loudest approval of the night after 20 laps of green-flag RMMRA Midget racing, Sat, Jun 20, at Colorado National Speedway. More cars, and we could own the place. Upon returning to CNS after a year away, we found a much improved race format, although no time trials, and a friendly staff which made for an enjoyable “home town” race night. Rossi swept by winning the Qualifying Race, but remains third in points behind Keith Rauch and New Mexico’s Mike Marfia in the Seals’ USA Stealth. They’ll all be at Big Country Speedway in Cheyenne this weekend to continue a very exciting pavement series,...will you?

results and points thru Jun 20 posted

OK, so it isn't always sunny in New Mexico or in Colorado, and we lost two of the last three races to rain. What we got in was pretty darn good and we did complete Heats at I-76 May 30. All Members in attendance receive 5 points for the HHS race #2 on Sat, if they choose to count that race, and all will receive 5 points plus actual Heat Race points for race #4 at I-76. Keith Rauch leads the points with a Main Event win but Tony Rossi is close, and the season is just beginning, especially since we count the best 15 of scheduled 18 races.

In Albuquerque, Luke Icke set the pace for Colorado drivers, winning his heat and starting in the front row, but was unable to stop a hooked-up RJ Johnson from Phoenix, even with a late race yellow to regroup.

Upon returning to home turf, fast, clean, and exciting heats were won by Todd Plemons and by Josh Lakatos who came from the back. The stage was set for a thriller 15-car Main, the most cars at home in several years, and then it rained. Twice.

We will resume Jun 13, this time on Pavement, as RMMRA continues to contest an all-around dirt track/paved track/short and long track Championship with the same combo cars using full race Midget engines...unique in the sport and well worth fan and racer support! Next Up: I-25 Speedway, Pueblo, CO Jun 13, followed by CNS, Cheyenne, and Pueblo again on July 4 with Fireworks. 

Keith Rauch won RMMRA's Opening night at I-76 Speedway on May 2. Spring weather, a racy dirt surface, and Keith in the Winner's Circle is becoming a tradition for our Opening Night, and continued with the third I-76 win in a row for Rauch in the Todd Henry car, with wrenching by Mark Matejka. Visitors and Members from Salina, Skip Mattison for Chris Sheil, from Albuquerque, Bobby and Kelly Seals for Mike and Robert Marfia, and from Cheyenne, Rory and Jenn Mallo for sons, Justin and Cory, all added greatly to a successful program. Traveling against the weather; Thanks, all!

We will count each registered Owner’s and Driver’s best 15 points performances for the year to determine their season total. This is intended to ease the pressure possibly associated with the large total, while giving the opportunity to overcome a bad night. It will also make the final standings even more up for grabs until the final event, hopefully encouraging participation. Rain-outs or cancellations will not change the formula of Best 15. NOTE: Guest Drivers and Owners must join RMMRA before their third weekend of RMMRA racing in order to use points from their two weekends as Guests. Points ties will be broken with main event wins-heat race wins-main and then heat race seconds, thirds, etc from race nights counted-quick times from races counted.

Membership application may be printed by clicking Join RMMRA, above, highlighting, copying/pasting to Word or Notepad, and printing . Or just call a Board Member to request form and mail back. Secretary Ron "Guido" Rossi reminds that Guest Members are welcome in RMMRA (no Excess Med Insurance coverage) for up to two weekends, plus co-sanctions. However, points earned as a guest do not count toward Season Championship or Tire Fund, unless membership application is received by the third weekend of the competitor's participation. Also, Membership Dues for Renewing Members (Owners, Drivers, Owner-Drivers) increase $20 on Mar15.

To find sources for panhard bars and combo birdcages, click Classifieds, and reset the View period to" last 6 months", or longer

The RMMRA Board of Directors, at their meeting of Jan 9, approved the use of Panhard bars as Rear Axle locators for asphalt competition. This change is an option, not a required change, from the previously required W-Link. In 2007, the Front Axle Maximum allowed (not required) Width was increased from 44-inch to 45-inch.

Both of these changes are reflected in a revised posting of Asphalt Rules, under Newsletters. Also reposted, without change except for typographical error fix, is the Spec Tire Rule (Dirt and Asphalt) and the 2008 Engine Rule Supplement.

Note: A request was heard to reconsider the Engine Rule Supplement which allows larger displacements for RPM/Conn Rod/Intake Size restricted engines. The request would remove the specified Brodix cylinder head as a requirement for 196 cu in Aluminum Block engines. The request was tabled for study, and Member input is encouraged. 

LOWER COST ADDITIONAL ENGINES  have been approved for RMMRA  The Fontana Rhino Midget engine with restrictions as submitted, has been approved, as have Other Similar Versions which would be even less expensive and which can be built by individuals. It is the express intent of these changes to allow members and prospective members lower cost engine alternatives competitive with, but not superior to, existing engines. The new race engine alternatives are RPM and INTAKE restricted with STEEL RODS only, and use SPEC cylinder HEADS with INCREASED displacements. Our expectation is that the home-built versions of these engines could cost well under $15000, and that all would be more reliable with longer service duty life than current high rev / high dollar motors. There are four engine blocks which fit into this new alternative: Rodeck and Fontana aluminum, and the Kansas Racing Products iron which is available for either the Spec aluminum Fontana/ChevII-Mercruiser-Pontiac iron heads or for the Spec aluminum Brodix SBC head, and finally, the GM/Mercury Marine iron block. Stock Block OEM engines, as approved in 2007, are also available options. Note: rotary intake air valve systems have also been DISallowed. For full rule text, click on Newsletter button (archive back). Interested racers are encouraged to call or e-mail RMMRA for points of contact, approx costs, etc on components.

The Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Assoc held its final event of 2008 at Indian Tree Golf Club on Saturday, Nov 15. An overflow crowd turned out to congratulate 08 Champions, Tony Rossi, Bill Taylor, and the Rossi team on his third and their fourth Championship.  The evening was highlighted by an appreciation of inspiring LifeTime Members’ contributions to Midget Racing, particularly 1950 Champ, Sonny Coleman's, who led the group in awarding Picture and other trophies to Rookie of the Year, Brent Rees; Sportsman, Keith Rauch; Mechanic of the Year, Ewen Rees; Best Appearing Car, Frank Peterson #27; Best Appearing Crew, #3 Julee Jamison Crew; Most Improved, Scott Fennell; and President’s Award, Mike Heberling. Trophy Jackets prepared by Stitchin'-A-Dream were awarded to all Top 10 Owners and Drivers plus the Board of Directors, and a $4000 Points Fund from Hoosier Tires Southwest and USA Performance went to Owners participating in 50% of the season. Historian, Gary Martelon and Sonny, plus V-Pres Ron Rossi, Director Chuck Simmons, Competition Director Gene Pastor, and Pres Boysen Loesch presented what many said was the best Awards program yet. We are grateful to Hoosier, USA, Kathy Rossi, Jim and Karen Barr, Carol McGraw, Karen Rossi, Motor Sports Supply, Spike Chassis, Racing Optics, ProShocks, Dr Russ Simpson, Rocky Mountain Emergency Vehicles, Crow Enterprises, Robert Leos, Dick Surratt, Ron Rossi, AAI Speed Equip, Penske Shocks, Speedway Motors, Cosworth Engineering, Don Holbrook, Ewen Rees, and many others for their help and support for the night and the entire season. Thank-you All. ...more pics under Photos and History as time permits         

Midknight Video Productions has put together a special DVD, of all the races the RMMRA Midgets ran at the I-25 Speedway, during the 2008 season. This is available to drivers, family, and friends, at a great rate of $20, shipping and handling included.   If  interested,  just log onto website, www.midknightvp.com and go to the DVD Order page. There is a button near the top of the page to order. Even though it's through paypal, you do not need to have an account to order. 

CONTACTS:

Boysen Loesch, Pres: 303-452-4801  Ron Rossi, V Pres: 720-935-3020

Board of Directors: Gene Pastor: 303-422-8753 Chuck Simmons: 303-423-2301            Scott Fennell: 303-378-0139

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      Copy by Boysen Loesch, Pres / Photos by Don Holbrook, exc as shown

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