Midwest Off Road Racing has TORC support

Midwest Off Road Racing has TORC Support
Sportsman & Grassroots Racers Benefit

Milwaukee, WI - On the morning of the 2009 Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL Sportsman banquet, the Midwest Off-Road Racing (MORR) group asked for all the major parties involved in Midwest short course off-road racing to meet and discuss initiatives that would improve the state of Sportsman racing in the TORC series.

Nineteen representatives from MORR, TORC, Crandon International Off-Road Raceway, and Bark River International Raceway were all on hand for this epic meeting at the Double Tree Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. After three hours of discussions, all parties agreed to the following initiatives for the 2010 season.

Lower Entry Fees
In 2009, the Sportsman entry fee was significantly increased from past years. At the same time race payback was reduced. In the past the previous race series had outside funding to minimize costs and maximize payback. In 2009 TORC did not have that luxury. The combination of our country's economic problems and the higher entry fees, created a significant drop in Sportsman entries in the Midwest.

Upon MORR's recommendations, TORC will lower its entry fees for the Sportsman and Grassroots racer for the 2010 race season.

100% of the entry fees will be paid back to the drivers weekly and with a portion set aside for the year end points fund.

TORC and MORR have agreed to work together to create marketing opportunities for companies interested in the Sportsman and Grassroots series.

Additional Race Weekends
After compiling statistics from www.rosshoek.com, the TORC Midwest Sportsman racer wanted more than the four weekends of racing that were listed on the 2010 race schedule.

TORC has confirmed the addition of a Sportsman only daytime event at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 24-25. In addition to Oshkosh, another race date is being pursued. When more information is available, an announcement will be forthcoming.

Race Payouts
TORC and USAC officials stated that in 2010 all race fees and payout will be handled by USAC. This will enable race payouts to be written and mailed by the following Monday after a race weekend.

Insurance Coverage
Among the discussion was the cost of becoming a USAC Racing member. In 2009, all TORC racers were required to purchase a $250 USAC membership. Most of that cost covers the season long $200,000 participant coverage. All the MORR Directors agreed this must stay mandatory for the 2010 season. USAC also offers a special one weekend membership for $50. If the racer decides to enter a second weekend of racing, the remaining cost for the season membership is required. USAC's Jason Smith reiterated that every year the insurance policy goes under review in order to keep the cost of the policy to a minimum.

Sportsman Video Broadcasts
At the meeting, Jason Smith stated that the internet broadcast of 2010 TORC events on the USAC website, www.usacracing.com, will be expanded to include all Sportsman and Grassroots races.

At the end of the meeting, all the groups walked out of the conference room promising to work together on steps to improve the 'health' of Midwest Sportsman Off-Road Racing.

Later that evening when Ricky Johnson kicked off the 2009 TORC Midwest Sportsman banquet at Milwaukee's Potawatomi Bingo & Casino, MORR president Dan Vanden Heuvel was asked to come up to the podium to discuss the MORR initiatives that were implemented thanks to the earlier meeting.

Year End Points Fund
During the banquet celebration, the board members of Crandon International Off-Road Raceway approved a motion to assist MORR and the Sportsman racers. Cliff Flannery came to the podium to announce that Crandon would be placing $5000 into the end of the year Sportsman points fund. MORR and TORC will work together to grow the year end points fund as well as additional race payouts. A huge amount of gratitude goes out to the Crandon community.

MORR General Meeting
The steps that the MORR board has taken to improve Sportsman racing are only just beginning. On Sunday, January 17, the Midwest Off-Road Racing group is having an open meeting at The Fly Away in Abrams, Wisconsin. All the board members will be on hand to discuss the formation and the direction of the group. At that time, the board will gladly answer your questions.

For more information about the Midwest Off Road Racing group and the upcoming meeting in Abrams, please visit: www.midwest-offroadracing.com

For more information about the 2010 Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL race season, please visit: www.torcseries.com  and www.usacracing.com

- MORR - Board of Directors
Dan Vanden Heuvel Sr.
Ross Hoek
Mike Vanden Heuvel
Pat Flanagan
Don Demeny
Geoff Dorr
Mike Reusche

-credit: morr