Lets Talk Of The AC Delco TSS Modified
And What’s Up With Some Of The Drivers?
February 22, 2004
Ah! The end of February, the season is getting ready to burst wide, open. Are you ready to go, and get your weekly dose of fun at the Delaware Motorsports Complex, in Delmar, DE? If not, you better start getting ready to get in gear, and fill that NEED FOR SPEED craving. I know, I’m getting ready.
Last month, we introduced the new class AC Delco TSS Modified car. This month, we will check on some of the drivers and see how they feel and their concerns about this hot new class running at the Delaware International Speedway (DIS) for 2004. Also, this will give you a head start on some of your favorite drivers in this class so you can look for them on the track starting April 10, 2004, at the speedway for the Test-N-Tune night, and the season opener on April 17, 2004. Learn how this class can make a difference in cost and maintenance.
But first, on January 17, 2004, the U. S. 13 Dragway had its annual Awards Banquet where the top ten drivers in each class were awarded trophies and other awards. It was a full house of drivers and their families to enjoy a night out.
Starting February 29, 2004, the Dragway will have their first Test-N-Tune night. Then beginning March 28, 2004, the Summit ET Points will begin. So for all you that love to get out there and see what you can do, you better make sure you are almost ready to go.
Then, also back on January 31, 2004, the DIS had their banquet to also award the top ten drivers in each class. The Rookie of the Year went to Dana Walker, of Sharptown, MD, in the Modified Division. This year’s banquet had the largest crowd ever. It was a very good night of events enjoyed by all.
In the coming 2004 DIS Banquet, the winner in this new AC Delco TSS Modified class will be awarded a new motor. But, you are only eligible for this motor if it is purchased at Courtesy Chevrolet, who’s recognized as the "Official Engine Supplier." In addition, I previously had stated last month about the driver who finishes the highest in points for this class will win this motor, which is true but, I had not specified that the motor has to be purchased from Courtesy. I apologized if anyone misunderstood that. By the way at last check, Courtesy had five motors on hand for those of you that want to know. Contact Courtesy and ask for John or Billy at 410-749-9448. For more details contact the tracks office at 302-875-1911.
Let’s also touch on the Nextel NASCAR Cup and other series that have officially started. With some of the changes this year, the drivers appear to be racing instead of the aero or so many other factors that take away from the drivers’ good old fashion racing talents. Not saying that the aero and restrictor plates control how a driver drives, but it is more fun with the driver in control to me, which leads right into the new TSS Modified class discussion.
The New AC Delco TSS Modified class will be a new class for this year as we all know. But, it is a car that cost more efficiently than any of the other classes running at this time at DIS. So I decided to see who and why they wanted to go into this new class. We have established the GM small block No.PN88958602 Crate motor is sealed, and cost just over a little $2,800. There are other parts that have to be purchased but, overall, somewhere between $5,000 and $8,000 total, it would allow you to get behind the seat of one these cars.
I am not going to go into all the details of parts that are needed or make the car run better, or that are needed to get started. But, there have been quite a few drivers getting ready to try their hand once again on that big oval clay track.
With this lower cost in an engine and parts, some drivers that have not been able to race due to the cost of running a team, feel that they can get back into the mix with this lower inexpensive package opposed to the $15,000 just to get started in some classes.
Then, there are some drivers that have been racing in a lower class such as the Modified Lites and the Street Modifieds but, spending more money to operate, and they have decided to get into this class.
Lastly, some drivers are upgrading from the U. S. Kart Club to advance in running with a class that will help them to eventually go into the Big Block Modified class. So the cost factor has contributed too many of the drivers decision to change.
The new modified will differ from the big block, in that the horse power is the main difference first, but the .350 sealed motor will give the guys less maintenance than any of the other classes. The class will begin the season with a fifteen lap feature, and a purse of $300 to the winner each week. In the big block, the horse power and all the other changes that a team can do to help a driver set their car up, and the several different adjustments that can make the car run better, can cost a phenomenal amount each week.
This new class will put a lot of drivers on a level playing field with one another, yet competitive. There will not be an issue to add this or that with the motor sealed for one thing. There will be different factors to get this car set up opposed to the big blocks set up and that is because it is limited quite a bit to the other classes. The car in this class will need to have their car set to go into the turns and get around the turn with speed. Most of the cars will not have a problem on the straight away, but the corners will have to be mastered. The gears will be an important factor and some will have pushing problems too. The driver that can get his car set up to handle in the turns, is going to be fast. The track has designated another Test-N-Tune night on Wednesday, April 27, 2004, so the guys can get any other kinks worked out.
Doug Beach of Delmar will be back this year in the number eighty-two, Little Creek Builders, and Auto World sponsored car. Doug says that this class for him will not have the upkeep that running a big block had had for him in the past. With the motor sealed there are things that you can’t change that you would normally change in the big block class. Doug is looking forward to the competitive racing this class should offer each weekend. Doug said he will be out there each week with the intention to win, he said.
Morris Tucker, a former Modified driver about ten years ago, has decided he has the itch to get back out there each week. The last couple of years Morris has driven with the Delmar Vintage Racing Club. Morris says he enjoyed the club, but felt with this new cost he can get to race every weekend and afford to run again in a Modified.
Morris said his children are older now and that his wife and he can get back into the sport together. Morris still feels he still has a few good laps left in him to run so we will see. In fact, this was his Vintage car, until he changed the engine, shocks, tires, fuel, and body, over to the new class. Tuckers' car was on display at the Motorsports Mania show in Salisbury a few weeks ago. The car was setting down by the Vintage Club table and J. C. Penny’s store, and looked really sharp.
Handling is going to be a big issue in this class because we have to run track shocks and 25 lb. of pressure in the right rear, Tucker stated. With this class, drivers will be more equal because you won’t be able to spend the big money if you did have it to buy more expensive parts. Tucker will be driving the red number twenty-eight, CMS Computer Management Systems, Scott’s Furniture, Greenwood Service Center, Racers Edge, and Pearson Signs, sponsored car and contributed to getting his car complete and ready to go.
Racers Edge owned and operated by Ron Jarrell built the body from scratch. "I can’t say enough for Cliff Foskey, without Cliff I wouldn't have made the show," Tucker said. "I think and hope we will have a good year racing." Tucker said in closing, "I think DIS has come up with a class that anyone can compete for less than $10,000, and my hats off to DIS. A lot of people are going to want to catch on and run in this class, Tucker stated."
Jeff Brown of Chesapeake Paving and Sealing is going to make the upgrade from the U. S. Kart Club to the new car. Jeff has been driving in go-karts for the last couple of years and wanted to upgrade, and this just made it easier for him to make the change.
Brown will be sporting the number nine car which made their debut on display by Boscov’s Dept., Store in the Motorsports Mania show. Brown thinks the class has sparked a new interest among the drivers and can bring in a decent car count. Brown has a Troyer SLR 2002, and has had the help of well known driver Ricky Elliott for consultation. "Gary Trice has also been a great deal of help to get my car set up," Brown stated. Buddy Bozman will be the crew chief for Brown. Bozman has been in and around racing all of his life and he will be a great asset to the team Brown stated.
Another driver to make an entrance is Mark West, who has not driven since Seacoast Speedway closed about seven or eight years ago. West has driven in Go-Karts, Street Modifieds, and Small Block Modified classes.
West has been weighing the fact that he wanted to get back into racing, and had planned to start running in the Sportsman class at Bridgeport Speedway, in New Jersey this year. But when this class was announced, West said it he could run at DIS because it’s closer and save money. West said it will cost him less to run this class, plus less travel expenses at the same time. West will be running the number ninety-one, Precision Small Engines, First State Chevy, and H. P. Speed hot rod.
From all the talk of everyone I have spoken to, most are real enthused about this new class. Many said it has been needed for the last few years. That this class will be cost effective for all that runs in it. The track has assured the drivers and teams that stiff penalties will be invoked if someone is illegal. A rather large fine of $5,000 will be imposed if illegal and the confiscation of the motor if the motor has been gone into by anyone other than the Delaware International Speedways Authorized Repair Place.
Other concerns by some are that as long as the class is checked and kept in the examination to follow the rules it will be an impressive, fun class. As far as the guys that bend the rules goes for all, is enforced if some do stretch the rules, it is okay. As long as letting some bend the rules and not others, that would be an issue. If some of the rules are unclear and guys find ways to stretch the rules and get away with it, some fear it could get out of hand. So that is a concern for some, but most feel that things will be policed rather well. Looks like the track techs will have their hands full for a while. In racing, any racing, guys are going to try to bend the rules as far as they can to get their car up to snuff. That is all part of racing no matter what class or series. We see it all the time.
There are quite a few other drivers that are supposed to run in this class this season. At least a dozen or more have been said to be getting in this class this year so far, and I am sure more will come as the season goes on. I feel that this class can also help a family be more together for a lot of reasons. Fathers can help with the transition for their sons to go into a bigger class and feel that he can contribute even more if they previously drove in a Modified.
The season is just around the corner, and a lot of things are going on among teams this year. Each year as the season begins, I love to see the new paint schemes, and hear the sounds of those rumbling motors. Heck, who am I fooling? All during the season, not just at the beginning do I like to hear the sounds of the motors. It will be fun to see this new competitive division take its stance in the racing community. So make sure you keep an eye on the calendar so you won’t miss out this year or some hot, racing action in Delmar. Each week will just get better, and you don’t want to miss all the rubbin and metal to metal action, so get the family and make a night of it for all.
For all your updates check my site at www.redbud69racing.com or the tracks web site at www.delawareracing.com. See you at the track!
Bonnie Nibblett