With Christmas here, and the New Year just a few days away, it's time to put last season behind us and start focusing on 2017. The early success of OUR wingLESS program has been outstanding, actually a huge success story within our industry. The growth it appears we are having this off-season is overwhelming, and with that being said we will definitely be upgrading our tech process and we certainly want everyone to keep that in mind when you are building your car AND ENGINE for competition this coming year. The only cars that will be allowed as non-604 engines or SPEC design engines, have been grandfathered in from past two years, thus in reality this is a 604 based division. With that being said, the integrity of the 604 must remain. We will be putting tech points and procedures together for our growing staff which will be followed in regards to what is ok versus what is taking it too far. These procedures are for both the track and sealing process. When we chose the 604 we did it based on its' performance, durability, and price. We must keep that integrity of the 604 program thus the tech process will be stepped up considerably in 2017. The possibility of lightweight rotators and more go beyond what we ever intended. The 450hp limit was a marker which would allow for the rebuilding, not just repairing of these engines, as we knew there was a large market of used IMCA Mod 604's at extremely reasonable costs available out there, as IMCA does not allow rebuilds. We can't allow this theory to be taken advantage of to the point it jeopardizes the concept. We will have staff in place,and procedures in place, AND rules in place regarding the tech process which will be released soon. Only those, if any, who have stepped beyond what we envisioned that line to be need to be concerned, but we certainly want any newcomers to know that there is a line, and a 604 needs to remain a 604.
We are extremely excited about this division, and must take control of it and remember the intention of why this class was created. Much effort has been put forth since the conclusion of 2016 to establish ways to make this class even better. The discovery of, and writing into the 2017 rules, that allow the Hoosier SC12 98 & 100 LR tires as an option are something that is a positive for the class. The rule book will be updated to be little more wingLESS specific as well. Having Wilmot as a home track, and having venues such as Angell Park, Beaver Dam, 141 ,and maybe another or two who have relationships with IRA, and who are buying into the IRA wingLESS concept is a tremendous positive. And speaking of Wilmot, the management is continuing to put efforts into upgrading the facility as new clay is being put down and the banking increased, and walls being raised, and a new scoreboard ordered which has capabilities to work with our transponders, and the construction of a new concession stand are all projects in motion..... and there is more to come too.
We just want to be sure we deter anyone who wants to jeopardize all the good and growth of this division and forgets why this class was created. We are doing a lot of research, and we'll continue to do so, and we will make changes to procedures as we need to based on growth etc. Just the fact this class can say "growth" is something pretty cool. Very excited about the help we are getting and interest of so many that will contribute to this division.
In closing, we just wanted to leave everyone with those thoughts as we celebrate Christmas and bring in the New Year. It's going to be a good one!