2012ulma

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 ULMA, P.O. Box 794, Moberly, MO 65270
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Thanks to Sam Stoecklin for keeping us informed
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ULMA Season Opener Just One Month Away!

Sam Stoecklin

ULMA Public Relations

March 1, 2012

              Hard to believe for some and not soon enough for others, whatever the case, there’s no denying another race season is nearly upon us. In just over a month, drivers will lean hard on their power plants and put their driving skills on display for fans making their way to sanctioned events during ULMA’s sixth season of competition.

              The short off-season produced its share of ups and downs for ULMA but even the loss of a title sponsor has not slowed down the association and its continued determination to keep weekly late model racing alive for race enthusiasts. Once again, ULMA has another exciting season of local competition at local venues from early April through September. For the sixth-consecutive year, long-time affiliates Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri (Saturday racing) and Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri (Friday racing) will feature late model racing sanctioned by ULMA.

              Lucas Oil Speedway kicks things off with a test and tune session on Saturday, April 7^th from Noon to Dusk. Pit passes for this practice session are $15. The first ULMA points-earning event at the speedway takes place on Saturday, April 21^st where stand-out regulars such as defending track and overall ULMA champion Rylan Long and former track champion Tommy Cordray are expected to continue their successful runs at the speedway. The track recently announced that “ULMA Late Models must be registered with the sanctioning body to be eligible for point fund pay. There are no additional track imposed fees for any driver participating in the Lucas Oil Weekly Series events. In 2011, 30 local drivers received generous cash and contingency awards at the Champions' Banquet.” The speedway has another solid points fund lined up for participating drivers in 2012 and you may find this information and the special-events schedule online at www.lucasoilspeedway.com. ULMA applauds the speedway’s backing for drivers to become members of the association and is extremely proud to be part of the action at the venue.

              Callaway Raceway comes to life for the 2012 season with involvement in a racing car show on Saturday, March 17^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at C&R Market on Business Route 54 South in Fulton; a rain-out date is set for Saturday, March 24^th at C&R Market.  Practice at the raceway takes place on Saturday, March 31^st from 2 to 5 p.m. Pit admission is $10 with general admission 2 canned goods or non-perishable food items for the food bank, the rain-out date is Sunday, April 1^st same times apply. The first ULMA point’s race, which is also the first ULMA point’s race of the year, takes place on Friday, April 6^th with planned competition continuing through mid-September. Last season, car counts were solid at the mid-Missouri location with several different drivers making their way to victory lane. Be sure to visit www.callawayraceways.com for events schedule, start times, and pre-season details. ULMA thanks Callaway Raceway for once again partnering with the association for another season of exciting action.

              Upon learning it had lost a key connection to the Greater Kansas City area after CMS announced it would not open in 2012, ULMA contacted Valley Speedway owner and promoter Dennis Shrout and the two parties worked diligently finding selected race dates to keep late model racing on track in the shadows of the metro skyline. Mr. Shrout and ULMA fully agree the stage is set and the opportunity is there for drivers to compete and fans to the fill the stands at the speedway when late models are present. The association is thankful to be part of the events scheduled at the Grain Valley, Missouri track and as of press time a total of eleven events dot the schedule.  Saturday, April 7^th serves as the first point’s-earning race at the track. Drivers are reminded that on their third appearance at the track, they are required to join ULMA as a member. For additional track information, reserved pit stall info, the events schedule, and much more bookmark www.valleyspeedway.com. ULMA thanks Valley Speedway for this opportunity and for supporting driver membership.  There are several opportunities to test and tune prior to regular racing getting underway, practice begins March 3^rd and continues for three more sessions on March 10^th, 17^th, and 25^th weather pending.

              Another upswing to the off-season after the bad news of no title sponsor occurred when ULMA was contacted by an extension of the group promoting the World of Outlaws sprint car race at the ‘Historic Half Mile’ in Sedalia, Missouri. This will mark a rare appearance for ULMA at the speedway, which is located on the Missouri State Fairgrounds.  The race takes place on Friday, April 20^th where ULMA will serve as the support class to the immensely popular sprint car spectacular. This will easily be the biggest staged event ULMA drivers will have the privilege to compete in since the association began. Local businessman Barry Smith of Midland Printing Company took up the association’s invitation to support the ULMA portion of this event and share in the public relations releases and print media that will be produced and distributed by the event promoters. Smith will provide a mystery finisher in the event with an extra $100 bonus, for which the association is extremely grateful for his support. There is still plenty of time and room for additional businesses to take advantage of this fantastic offer to be a part of this hugely anticipated event. Simply contact ULMA via the association’s official website at www.ulmaracing.com.

              ULMA is pleased to announce the addition of Buyraceparts.com as a new business partner for the coming season.  The new business is a retailer of high-end motorsports and safety equipment whose mission is to provide its customers with the highest-quality hard parts, accessories, and protection equipment, while helping them race within a budget by providing competitive discounts. This business model allows them to live on a smaller margin than comparable retailers, and they pass the savings along to their customers. Buyraceparts.com will provide product certificates to drivers finishing in the final top 10 ULMA championship point standings at the end of the season and we are greatly appreciative of their support for local racing. You may find the retailer online at www.buyraceparts.com.

              Drivers are encouraged to visit www.ulmaracing.com and to complete and send in their membership form to save time and money on the first night of racing. A membership fee paid by March 31^st is $75, a membership paid April 1^st or later is $100. Membership forms are easily accessible on the association’s website under the Drivers link, then Membership Form link. Forms will be available at various tracks or from on-site ULMA officials when present at affiliated tracks.

               This year’s affiliated sponsorship team consists of Imhoff Construction, TCI® Automotive, Fast Shafts, Rod End Supply, Buyraceparts.com, SafeRacer.com, Kenny’s Tile,  Racingjunk.com, , Kenny Johnson’s Race Replicas, D&L Motorsports, Photographics by Shelly Payne, and InsuranceSpecialists.com.  ULMA is a proud supporter of Homes for Our Troops.  To join the team, simply contact ULMA at [email protected]. 

Year Number Six on the Horizon for the United Late Model Association (ULMA)

Sam Stoecklin

ULMA PR

December 22, 2011

              Three months after the final laps of the season were turned, ULMA is preparing for its sixth-consecutive year of sanctioning weekly and special-event late model racing.  The association is anxious for the 2012 season to arrive and continues to make arrangements for what is sure to be another close battle for the championship.  Last season the championship battle came down to the final weekend of racing when Greenwood, Missouri driver Rylan Long claimed the crown just ahead of Jake Griffin and former champion, Jason Bodenhamer.  Long was the fifth different ULMA champion in as many years.    

              Recently, ULMA drivers participated in an online survey with a chance to provide feedback to the association’s board of directors.  Suggestions and comments were reviewed for consideration in preparation for releasing the competition and general rules.  Board directors tried to keep changes to a minimum heading into next season but it was evident from the feedback that some changes were needed.  One of the most significant changes will actually not take place until 2013, when dry-sump oiling systems will no longer be allowed.  Another change for next year includes the increase of deck height to 38 inches.  Also for 2012, it will be mandatory that all cars equipped with dry-sump oiling systems utilize a maximum 8,000 rpm rev limiter.  For a complete rundown of rules visit the association’s all-new official website at www.ulmaracing.com.   

              One of the hottest topics in the survey results was focused on the points-earning system.  Beginning in 2012, a new point system awaits drivers.  ULMA believes the new system will reward member drivers for their active participation in racing events while not jeopardizing the close finishes in all five of the previous battles for the championships.  Not only will drivers earn points based on their official finishes, they will now earn points based on total car counts at the speedways they compete and they will also earn points based on how many races they compete in throughout the season. 

              Last week, ULMA received one of the most exciting confirmations in its history after a representative of Missouri State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Missouri informed ULMA it will serve as the lone support class for the April 20, 2012 appearance of the World of Outlaw Sprint Cars!  This event will easily be the largest audience ULMA drivers have ever competed in front of in the history of ULMA.  The last time the sprinters rolled into the ‘Historic Half Mile’ the grandstand crowd was near capacity for a thrilling night of racing.  ULMA wishes to thank the MSFS organizers of this event for helping to secure the supporting role in this mega event.  This will mark the third appearance of ULMA late models at the half-mile speedway.

The association is pleased to announce the return of Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri (Friday nights) and Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri (Saturday nights) as sanctioned tracks for 2012 and sincerely thanks them for believing in ULMA racing for a sixth-consecutive year.  Callaway Raceway has not yet posted their schedule; however, the track generally begins operations in mid April, visit www.callawayraceways.com.  Lucas Oil Speedway will host 13 ULMA-sanctioned events in 2012 beginning Saturday, April 21; check them out online at www.lucasoilspeedway.com.  Despite a previous announcement by Quincy Raceways in Illinois that they would run under the ULMA banner for 2012, the track reversed its decision within days of their original announcement and will not be sanctioned by ULMA in 2012.  ULMA officials also recently learned that another track set for ULMA sanctioning for 2012 may not be open next season.  As of now, 24 Raceway in Moberly, Missouri will not be in operation. 

Often when there is less than desirable news, there is also great news to report and for 2012 that news is the addition and return of Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Missouri.  The tight quarter-mile track located just outside of Kansas City, Missouri had previously held several close competition ULMA races and the association is thrilled that promoter Dennis Shrout has given ULMA at least 12 dates for next season, most of which are Friday nights.  Mr. Shrout’s generosity has not only kept ULMA’s name associated with the storied history of racing in the KC metro but late model racing in general.  The first race of the year for ULMA will take place at Valley Speedway on Saturday, April 7.  Valley Speedway reminds all drivers that there is a muffler rule at the speedway. The approved mufflers are Custom Craft 3 and 2 ring insert, Schoenfeld 112535 short muffler, and Shoenfeld IMCA 609.  Visit the speedway online at www.valleyspeedway.com.

ULMA wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  We’ll see you at Bodee’s Racers Auction on January 28/29 in Sedalia, Missouri at the Mathewson Center.  Drivers completing their registration forms at the auction prior to the start of the season save $25 on their membership!

               Stay tuned to the all-new ULMA website for further news and information regarding the 2012 race season.  ULMA sincerely thanks the 2011 business partners for their involvement, without them the year would not have been possible!  This year’s team consists of title sponsor Crawdad’s Classics Gourmet Hot Sauce, TCI® Automotive, Fast Shafts, Rod End Supply, SafeRacer.com, Kenny’s Tile,  Racingjunk.com, Imhoff Construction, Kenny Johnson’s Race Replicas, D&L Motorsports, Photographics by Shelly Payne, and InsuranceSpecialists.com.  ULMA is a proud supporter of Homes for Our Troops.  To join the team, simply contact ULMA at [email protected].