NEMA Board Finalizes Rules Package & Exciting Changes for 2015 Season
Bridgewater, MA — The newly elected NEMA Board wasted no time getting to work, as they met for the first time after being elected last weekend to ratify the 2015 rules proposals this past Sunday, and also agreed on a number of exciting changes for the 2015 season.
The biggest change for the NEMA series will be the addition of staggered heat race points for both divisions, as decided on by the Board. The heat winner will get 20 points, 2nd place 18 points, with 2 points between positions down to 6th place – at which all remaining cars will get 10 points. The Board felt that this change will encourage a better show for the fans during the heat races and reward those who run well in the heat races.
Also exciting for the 2015 season, the Board has adopted the inclusion of a Rookie Development program. Full details will be announced later in the winter, but the intent of the Rookie Development Program will be to provide track time, driver coaching and safety education to new teams and drivers. Drivers falling into the newly adopted age brackets (those who turn 13 during the competition season for the Lites, and 15 years old for NEMA – both with previous experience) must pass the Rookie Development Program and be approved by the NEMA Board prior to competing with NEMA.
NEMA will also be bringing back its NEMA Fan of the Week program in 2015, after a successful program the last couple of seasons. The Fan of the Week gets a free pit pass for themselves and a guest, as well as a tour of the NEMA pit, time with the drivers, and other benefits throughout the evening. In addition, the club will be providing a printed program each week at the race track versus its traditional year book, and will continue its Meet & Greet program under the leadership of Bill Van Slyke.
As previously announced, NEMA will also continue its relationship with Hoosier Tire, as the club signed an exclusive 3 year deal with Hoosier for its current plated NEMA tires. Hoosier East and NEMA have selected Seymour Enterprises as its authorized distributor for the 2015 season.
A number of technical rules were passed as well, and will be posted on www.nemaracing.com this coming week.
Sources: Tim Bertrand/NEMA PR