official press release:
Tri-State Modified Association adds HotMod division for 2010
Tri-State Modified Association (TSMA) founder and director Tye Twarog announces the addition of the HotMod division of open wheel modifieds to his TSMA sanction's family.
Introduced as a independent class in 2009 at the Midway (OH) and Tyler County (WV) Speedways, the HotMods will also be included as a regular class at the West Virginia Motor Speedway in the coming 2010 season.
The HotMod division is a variation of the very popular IMCA Sportmod class.
Car construction is based on the GM midsize metric passenger car frame, with limited suspension modifications allowed. Likewise, engines are limited on c.i.d. by manufacturer, with limitations on ignition, carburetion along with 175 pounds (max) of compression per cylinder designed to maintain economical participation. Mandatory street radial tires complete the rules intention to keep costs minimalized for competitors.
"With the current interest and potential for quick growth of this class, sanctioning is the absolute best thing that can happen for everyone involved" said HotMod spokesman Steve Davis. "Common rules and the stability will help the class grow and protect the racer's investment. This keeps the rules from splintering into variations that would only hurt the class and the tracks".
"It's really a pretty good fit for TSMA" added Twarog. "It gives people a chance to get their feet wet racing in an economy modified class before jumping into the more expensive open mods, and at the same time it gives the open mods some possible new talent for the future".
"Tracks and racers have shown a real interest in the class, and the rules are pretty well thought out. We (TSMA) will have an overall points champion from all of the sanctioned track's HotMod racers using the same system we use for the 'open' mods, and I'll be working hard to get some contingency support for the HotMods".
"This is a win-win situation for the racers and tracks" added Davis. "When this idea really began gaining momentum the last thing I wanted to see is it become what so many support classes have. You know, different rules everywhere, then the class gets so far away from what it was intended to be that soon you no longer recognize it".
"Steve will continue to act as a contact for class rules" said Twarog. "He has a lot of time in the rules and really has both the track's and racer's best interest in mind."
In summation Davis concluded "This is a class for the folks who don't have or want to spend the time or money that it presently takes to run the late model or open modified type of car, but still wants to compete in a piece they can be proud of. Tye has raced himself, and he understands and agrees with that concept. He will be able to do far more for the class than any of us can do on our own, and that alone makes it a better deal for the tracks and racers. I'm positive this move is a good one for the promoters and racers alike, and hope everyone will support TSMA as the class grows."
Prospective racers can e-mail any questions they may have to the HotMod e-mailbox @ hotmod09@hotmail.com. Prompt answers can be expected. 2010 HotMod rules, Q & A, build project and more will be available on the all new Tri-State Modified Association website to debut in the near future, but in the meantime, TSMA information can still be located on the web at www.tristatemodifieds.com.
end of press release
