Cost Concerns Key in NEMA’s Future
Brockton, MA – The Northeastern Midget Association, making ready for its 59th season, is looking ahead. “The concern among Midget groups is global,” says 2008 and 2009 championship car owner Tim Bertrand. “Everybody is worried about costs.”
Other than safety (NEMA has updated rules mandating a detailed safety inspection), economics was of major concern at NEMA’s annual meeting in early December. Maintaining car counts and moving teams up from the very successful NEMA Lites program, about to start its fourth campaign, are key priorities.
President Mike Scrivani Jr. reports the 2011 NEMA schedule is taking shape and will be announced soon.
NEMA, Bertrand continues “is headed in the right direction” with a rule that reduces RPM limits for all engines by three percent under manufacture recommendations. Proposed by Bertrand and Mike Scrivani, the ruling met approval by both the NEMA contest board and at the general meeting. USAC and the Badger Racing Series have similar rules for 2011.
“The less parts go up and down the longer they’re going to last,” says Bertrand in classic understated testimony to the economics involved. The benefits in terms of equity are equally obvious, Bertrand pointing out at least “a couple” teams have expressed interest in returning with older and less expensive engines that figure to be more competitive now.
“Last season was the best in a while in terms of engine parity,” Bertrand says, pointing out in addition to Esslinger, Honda, M0PAR and Autocraft, a 20-year old Guerte visited victory lane. After a plan at the end of the season that recorded “where teams were turning their engines,” a three percent reduction “across the board” was agreed on. “We had to make sure we put in place a rule that will not hurt or favor one engine,” Bertrand added.
The general membership also approved the sealed Esslinger “spec motor.” Bertrand’s second car with Cole Carter aboard finished second at the season-ending World Series using an Esslinger spec motor that is now in Kevin Swindell’s car at the Chili Bowl. “We wanted to show what it was capable of ,” Bertrand says of the motor that produces about 30 horse power less but costs half as much as the standard power plants and, reportedly, last three times as long. There have been several inquiries from NEMA involving the spec motor and at least two acquisitions so far.
Looking down the road, NEMA decided to rid itself of titanium connecting rods by 2013. “In two years they’ll need to be replaced anyway,” explains Bertrand who points out the difference in titanium and steel is “staggering.” The price of one titanium connecting rod is $1,000. A set of steel rods is $1,000.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR