The fastest growing racing series in America, Sidewinder Sprints have decided to test a proposed 2009 rules package starting this Saturday Night at Trail-Way Speedway 08/02/09 and then again next Saturday Night 08/09/08 at Path Valley Speedway.
 
The objective of the test is to measure the differences between the current rules package and the proposed 2009 rules that included increasing the size of the wheels/tires and the top wing.

 
The plans behind the changes are simple;
 
When originally developed in September 2006 the Sidewinder Sprints had 4 main objectives;

Decrease the cost (OEM standard engines, tire rules, limitation on cockpit adjustables etc)

Increase the horsepower to make the car more exciting to drive (who doesn't want more HP?)

Unhook the car to focus on driver and car setup ability (More HP, Harder tire, Less grip)

Focus on promoting micro racing as a premier division in speedway racing.
 
 
So far the Sidewinder Sprints  feel that they have achieved a mark of 3  out of 4 .
 
Decreasing the costs with engine rules and tire rules - done!
 
Increasing the horsepower to make the car more exciting to drive - 1/2 way there, we have the horsepower now we need to add more excitement!
 
Unhook the car to focus on driver and car setup ability -  done!
 
Focus on promoting micro racing as a premier division in speedway racing. - 1/2 way there!
 
 
In looking forward it became obvious that to truly promote this division, we needed to occasionally race at the bigger tracks (Lincoln, Big Diamond, and Grandview just to name 3). We also  felt the need to distance the appearance of our class from the 600's to obtain our own identity and provide the missing link between the micros and the full size cars.
 
The most logical choices when both the micros and the full size cars are put side by side was to structure a rules package that fit right in between both classes.
 
Micros - 10" wheels.....Full size car 15" wheels.. proposed 2009 Sidewinder rules 13" wheels
 
Micros - 12 sqft wing ...Full size car 20 to 25 sq ft wing... proposed 2009 Sidewinder rules 16 sq ft
 
Just by the physical measurements alone, one can see the proposed rules fill the middle ground void perfectly.
 
Obvious advantages;

•   Easy to see the difference between us and the 600's.
•   More cost effective than either midgets or sprints.
•   Bigger wheels to help run bigger tracks and at times, the rougher cushion, opening up more  racing lines.
•   Larger sideboards, big car look.
•   More attractive /tougher looking car would help capture more exposure.
•   Easy to position the class as a step up from micro sprints and rightfully gain the perception as the premium small car class. 
•   Allows current micro sprint manufacturers to compete in a "new market"  with potentially different customers ( midget teams and 358 teams that cannot afford their associated costs of their class, but do not see themselves competing in micros). It will also help the manufacturers keep  "their customers in their cars" longer with a planned migration path to the faster, higher HP cars without losing them to the full size classes.

 
With that thought ,we expanded on it,  and asked ourselves if at that time if we should allow "upright" mini sprint chassis to race with us ? After all we would now have the same size wheels and top wing?
Our initial thoughts were... why not ????  Obviously our engine and tire rules would have to be adhered to by the mini sprints.
 
The main advantages of that would be;

•  To rapidly increase car counts by having mini sprints from the NY region racing with us. Obviously the higher car count increases not only the payout structure but also the level of competition.
•  To give some people the opportunity to race with us that would prefer to have a upright feel but cannot afford a full size sprint. (due to costs and maintenance factors)
•  Increases the regional exposure for creating greater coverage for our sponsors
•  Expands on the competitive marketing edge of not only chassis brands competing for supremacy, but also chassis styles.
   
   
  After the test sessions ( provided they are successful) and with continued input from our current teams, we will do a complete cost analysis for all teams so that a completely informed decision can be made before the end of August on the 2009 rules package.
   
   
  Sidewinder Sprints

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