Riverhead Winter Informational Meeting Reveals Upcoming Changes
Riverhead Raceway held their annual informational meetings today to bring participants up to date on changes and procedures that will be in place for the 2010 racing season. With many things on the agenda, it was interesting to listen to the plans to improve the experience for everyone. In an effort to speed up the show, it was announced that heat races would only be run if 24 or more cars are present in any given division. Otherwise, either time trials or handicapping will set the field and only a feature will be run. More on that later in this story.
All of last year’s officials will be returning for 2010, with the previously announced addition of Steve Tooker, who will observe the racing from the scorer’s booth and he will be in communication with Co-Chief Stewards Jim Maggio and Mike Cappiello to assist in any calls on the track. Steve, as many know, is an experienced race driver and past Champion of the Late Model division, so he is very familiar with on track action.
This year, the restart rule to only begin from the line in turn 4 will be strictly enforced, with no second chances. If the officials rule that someone has jumped the start during a restart, that competitor will be sent to the rear of the field, NO second chances. Also, all drivers are expected to be in communication with track officials via the track radio frequency to be given their positions on all restarts. Those without radios are to make sure they are equipped with a scanner or ‘raceiver’ to be given their positions for all restarts. Any questions about restarting positions will ONLY be done at the start finish line, not on the backstretch or the ramp. Pull into the checkered victory lane box and the starter or assistant starter will get you an answer if you have a question about where you restart.
The track has also changed the start times for all events. For the first 3 weeks, the pits will open at 1 PM, and racing will start at 5 PM. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, the pits will open at 2 PM and racing will start at 6 PM. Practice will be limited to 2 rounds per division, beginning about an hour after the pits open. No practice will be allowed after the show starts, except at the discretion of track officials in special circumstances. It is their hope this will save time for all involved and move the show along smoothly. In addition, when a division is called to line up in the chute for their event, if you are late, you will be placed at the rear of the field, so be sure to be ready when your race is scheduled.
It was also announced that all time trial events, in every division, will be subject to a redraw for starting positions. Some objection was raised about this at the Modified meeting, and it will be the subject of further discussions with Promoters Barbara and Jim Cromarty, who will have the final say, as it was their decision to do this in the first place. The Modified drivers expressed the idea that they feel since a lot of preparation goes into time trialing, it is like a penalty to have to redraw. An announcement will be forthcoming in the future to clarify what will be done on this matter.
NASCAR has instituted a new rule allowing 14 and 15 year olds to obtain a learners permit NASCAR license to drive in certain divisions. At Riverhead Raceway, this would include the Legends, Blunderbusts and Super Pro Trucks divisions only. 14 and 15 year olds are also allowed to obtain a pit license to work on the crew of cars in other divisions, which will allow them in the pits. It is track policy that no one under the age of 18 is allowed to be in the pits without a NASCAR license, including guests.
All teams are now required to submit a list of their pit crew members before the season begins, listing anyone who they expect to be helping out with their cars during the race season. All guests are also required to identify which car they are associated with. This is an effort to enforce the rule that the car owner/driver are responsible for the actions of their crew and guests, and it will be strictly enforced. While some people have NASCAR licenses, but are not associated with a particular car, they will be handled differently upon signing in for each event. There will be no fighting or entering the pits of others for the purpose of fighting or arguing tolerated, and track officials promised strict enforcement of these rules will be in place this season.
It was also brought up that if you lose you muffler, you will be black flagged, sent to the pits, and not be allowed to return unless it is properly repaired (welded) and it passes inspection by a NASCAR official. They stressed that you should be sure your mufflers are properly installed, and to check them periodically to prevent problems. The rule applies even it the muffler becomes lose or falls off due to an incident during a race, with no exceptions. Modified drivers were also told that tour type mufflers would be acceptable for weekly competition, as there is no discernable db difference when using them.
At the Modified meeting, the idea of using a different tire (compound) was brought up, and track officials said they would look into the possible changes that were discussed. All Modified tires will be impounded weekly, with teams allowed to reinstall them just prior to the feature event.
Lastly, to quiet all the recent chatter, Bob Finan addressed the recent story about the NY State Attorney General’s investigation of Suffolk Productions. While this company was founded by Jim Cromarty many years ago, it is now owned and run by Deborah Cromarty-Hallanan, and is a separate entity from anything to do with Riverhead Raceway. Bob went on to say this whole thing is just political posturing by someone who is running for governor and it is being litigated down at the present time and it should have no effect on the operations of Riverhead Raceway in 2010 or in years to come.
Lastly, a few reminders; you can now RENEW your NASCAR license online by going to www.nascarmedia.com and entering your current license number and credit card information. This should be a time saver for many. Also, there will be no more paper pit passes, just a wrist band, for 2010. That will speed up the sign in procedure greatly, but Christine Healy wanted to remind everyone that the one you get when you sign in must be worn during the entire event, as replacing the original will be very time consuming unless it is accidentally damaged and you have the original, which must be presented to get a replacement.
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