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March 15, 1999
Gary English On The Claiming Rule In your editorial [see Claim Rule S****], you speculated on reasons why I chose to claim Shelby
Howards motor. Anger had nothing to do with claiming an engine. I don't know
where and how you came up with that theory. Knowing the type of engines I-CAR
allows in their series had more to do with it than anything. They basically
run a late model motor. I claimed because the Florida Modified's are supposed
to be a relatively inexpensive series to race. The concept of the series is
to limit the cost of the engines. This is the reason for the claiming rule.
I do not understand why someone would chose to build or buy a $15,000.00+
motor and come race this series. There are plenty of series out there where
they can run any engine they wish and not have it claimed. Money is obviously
not a concern with Shelby Howard or his parents. Had they chosen, they could
have simply taken my motor and my money and still had his victory. They chose
not to accept the claim and they had the options explained to them. As you so
succulently pointed out, my engine was no better or worse than his. This
being true they should could have swapped engines without being affected.
I firmly believe the IMCA type rules work. IMCA has some of the best racing
you will see. They have very full and very competitive fields. They
vigorously enforce all of their rules, including the claiming rule. They sure
don't run races with five or six cars.
There are several other motors out there which need to be claimed. It may be
unpopular to claim them. However, it is not only within the rules, but it is
within the basic concept of the series. If I want to spend $10,000 or more on
a motor to race against $1200-2500 motors I should not get upset if I am
claimed. You keep saying how pitiful the racing and fields are at NSS and
OSW. Maybe the one or two cars which run away from the fields all the time
have something to do with both the lack of cars and the lack of spectators. I
am more embarressed about having some one come watch me race having to sit in
empty stands while I race four or five other cars than I am over my claiming
an engine.
I don't wish to debate your editorial opinion, after all we are all entitled
to one. I will point out that after reading your article, I called I-CAR.
They do have a claiming rule at their sanctioned local tracks. (The tracks
option of $500, $750 or $1,000) They have a national points series which has
no claiming rule. I don't understand the statement about Shelby not being
used to a claiming rule. IMCA is the predominant series in the Midwest. They
race I-CAR so if they do any local shows they know about those claiming rules.
The other angle you adopted which caused me a little angst was the "age deal".
I could find nothing in the rule book which specifies how old you must be to
have your engine claimed. There are several excellent young drives out there.
Brad Barkis, B.J. McCleod and Barry Willoughby to name a few. These drivers
are really talented. They don't try to outspend everyone they are racing against to win races.
They have shown real ability by winning in comparable equipment. I can't say
the same for Shelby.
I think local drivers should be supported. They are the ones who race week in
and week out. They spend their time, effort and money to put on the show.
Claiming rules are just like any other rules. There is no exemption from the
rules just because you are too young or too tall or too fat or are from out of
town. They are just another rule you have to put up with. All of the tracks
in our are that run modifieds have a claiming rule. All in all I am still
satisfied with my decision to claim. I do not understand why you were so
biased against my actions. I was at the track and you sure didn't bother to
get any information from me.
-Gary English
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