LLM and LM to merge !!!

Guest · 2007-01-13T15:56:17Z

The rumors have been out there, but yesterdays mail confirmed that Kawartha Speedway is planning to merge the two classes as soon as next season. I can see how Derek is trying to up his car counts but I doubt very much that this will have the effect he is looking for. For starters, I have heard that there are a number of LM drivers not returning in 2007. This is not to say they are not, just rumors I have been hearing. Hanley is rumored to be leaving to race elsewhere, Kimmerly is rumored to be returning to LLM as well as Inglis. Also, do the Beyores follow Hanley ? That's five cars. Linc Brown is also unsure if he will run a full schedule this season. I do know that Morgan purchased Thompson's Alstar car and Toms bought a Howe car from the States. Another Tom's will be running their old car. So it looks like the LM will stay close to 2006 numbers. The LLM numbers I'm not as aware of but assume they will also remain like the LM, near 15 cars. Now to the proposed merge. How does Derek plan to bring the two classes together as far as rule changes go ? Most of the LM guys have been updating there cars over the past few seasons or building new ones so are they going to be told to take parts off of their cars ? I'm sure that will piss a few of them off. Now the LLM. I'm sure that most of the front running LLM guys can afford to run LM if they want but choose not to, for a variety of reasons. I would think the most predominant one being the vast number of tracks they can run at ( Mosport, Peterborough, Barrie, Sunset, Kawartha, Sauble and Varney ) without changing too many things. Derek has to remember this and if he chooses to merge I'd bet that a large number of the LLM's would rather keep their track options open as well as save themselves the cost of converting to the top class. Peterborough and Mosport could see an increase in their car counts in the future if Derek can't convince all parties involved that his plan is the best. Another thing that the merge will cause is a huge gap between the haves and have nots. LLM is a somewhat affordable class for the little guy but if he wants to remain at Kawartha what little money he has will have to be spent updating his car. A LLM backmarker will now be a moving chicane on the track and it's only a matter of time until he decides to race elsewhere or quit.One final problem I see is the even greater gap between the bottom and top class. The jump from Thunder to LLM was big enough with regard to money and experience but now a jump right up to LM is one that only a few will be able to afford. There will be no class to feed the LM. In stating my opinion I am in no way saying that Derek's proposal will fail or , after consulting with his drivers, will even happen. I'm sure in time the full plan will be anounced by Kawartha, and here's hoping that it does work. Twenty-five cars taking the green flag on a regular Friday night would be something I would look forward to. Looking for some more opinions on the topic.

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slapdown

Mar 06, 2007 10:09 am

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I think the rule is ABC bodies are mandatory now although the rule has been grandfathered in so cars like the 10B ( Camaro ) can keep using the body until he decides to get a new one. Not sure how long this grandfather clause will last but can't see Derek allowing Kelly to run it for too much longer. Notice he is registered at Sauble for the specials though.

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slapdown

Mar 06, 2007 10:19 am

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Was just at Kawartha site and if you were registered in 2006 your body will be grandfathered for 2007. I assume 2008 will see the ABC mandatory.

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race_ready_2004

Mar 09, 2007 9:58 pm

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i had heard that the body styles were changing. My question is why? Seems that they are always changing something. This isn't NASCAR. If they are looking at using a body template....again I ask why? is drafting really part of Ontario short track racing?

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race_ready_2004

Mar 09, 2007 10:01 pm

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will guys running the 400HP crates have to use restrictor plates?

race_ready

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