Terry, Thank you for responding to this. I always value your input. In conversations with other slot car racers they will routinely offer me their opinions in regards to the NASTE IROC style races. Of those I've talked with most say they are not interested in IROC style races. They generally say one or two might be ok now and then, but they enjoy racing their own cars more. I agree with that, I enjoy racing my own car more than the IROC races. Like them I like competing with something I built or tuned, good or bad. So to start with the IROC format doesn't appeal to everyone, especially for every race. The Odd Thursday Night races support that theory. And yes, there are racers that will bend the rules when racing their own cars. I guess that is just part of racing, interpretation of rules and their meanings. But as I see it here is where an individual's level of seriousness comes into play, as a semi-serious racer if I'm beat by another racer who's car seems much faster and possibly illegal, it doesn't bother me. I'm just racing and doing my best. I enjoy that and that's all I need.
I remember when we were racing the Econo-Cars. Man that was a lot of fun. The rules for the NASTE Point Series required the cars to be original Bob Hanna built chassis or direct copies with no alterations. The rules also stated the motors had to be sealed Parma 16Ds. Where we ran into problems was when I representing NASTE solicited other 1/24 track owners to host races. I did this in an effort to provide NASTE racers with more variety racing on larger nice tracks, to improve the NASTE point series racing experience. Along with that we also had the fun of having the racers that routinely raced on those tracks race with us. Most did not routinely race with NASTE and many of them were very good car builders. Many of the other tracks raced the Econo-Cars with rules that differed from NASTE's allowing various modifications. As a judgment call I felt strict enforcement of our rules in the venue of a guest track and host was irrelevant and inconsiderate. After all the guest track or club was not contesting our point series championship, they were only attending one or two races. So if that rubbed anyone the wrong way that was my mistake and I apologize. Bottom line is we still had a lot of fun racing those cars, we got to race on some different tracks, and we got to race with an meet some people we don't normally race with. As a semi-serious racer it was fun for me regardless of the outcome.
So that brings us to the retirement issue of the series and the trophy. I guess my real interest here is that I have 20 years invested in the NASTE Point Series Championship and I am reluctant to just let it go. But I have seen it degrade into something that really doesn't mean much where once it was something to work towards and represented accomplishment. So if there truly is no interest or a real lack of interest I will retire it. But I have no desire to start a new series. If I decide to retire the point series I will continue the Odd Thursday Night races as they seem popular right now and I thoroughly enjoy them! It is some of the best racing I have had in a long time, and the group of people is outstanding! As far as the NASTE weekend races I see them as mostly a social event which is fine. I would be happy to still host one and I would like to see the Halloween Race tradition continue. I just miss the racing focus we used to enjoy at those races. In my opinion the NASTE weekend events would be better as open houses with slot car tracks and cars available for those that want to run them around. That's not a bad thing, it is just a scenario where the NASTE Point Series Championship no longer fits in.
Thanks for letting me have the soapbox! =========Bill
