Vintage Modified Racing Today.
You sit and watch a field of 14 to 16 pre 40's Coupes, Coaches, cut down Falcons, Gremlins and Pintos, plus a mid 80's Mudd Bus or two thundering around the track at speeds close to today's Modifieds. They're putting on close racing with lots of passing and you can see the driver working the wheel as he fights the track, the car and the competition.
No, you haven't been transported back to 1986, this is what the 'THUNDER ON THE DIRT' Vintage Modified Racing Series is all about today.
But although these cars look like the cars from 'back in the day', they're not. These cars are vastly different and they have to be to race competitively and safely on todays tracks and conditions.
First and foremost, the 'THUNDER ON THE DIRT' Series is a 100% racing Series. These guys are not out there putting on a 'spirited demonstration' or 'exhibition', they are doing what these cars were designed and built to do - RACE. As such, these cars utilize later 'built for racing' chassis like Tobias', Olsen's, Troyer's, Bicknell's, Teo's and others. And although they are one of the more cost effective cars to race in this day and age, they run up to date and powerful big block, small block and 6 cylinder engines burning high octane Gasoline or Methanol. Most use Bert or Brinn transmissions and all use Quick Change rears. They run a controlled suspension package, aluminum Beadlock wheels, Hoosier and American Racer tires and have current spec fuel cells, power steering etc.... With DRIVER SAFETY paramount, wrap around seats, 5 point harnesses, arm, neck and head restraints, plus full fireproof attire and current standard helmets are mandatory.
Quite simply, these are not restored Jalopies from 'back in the day' cruising around doing controlled laps and filling in the time between races - these are FULL ON and GENUINE RACE CARS out there to race in earnest and put a show on for todays public. Lets face it, todays race fan is not made up exclusively of 60 and 70 year olds. Todays race fan spans all ages and demands to be entertained with fast close racing and plenty of action. Theres a lot of Classes out there that provide this and even as a Vintage Class, if we cant give what todays race fans want, we wont be asked back by the track, we'll falter and fall by the wayside - the sport is littered with failed Groups and Classes.
Our cars are bone fide race cars housed in Vintage bodies that recreate and preserve the look of those cars from 'back in the day'. We provide what the fans want and demand when they spend their hard earned cash to go to the races - close, fast, exciting and above all, entertaining race action. BUT, 1940 Ford Coupe bodies are getting harder to find and we have to preserve our cars, so we try and give each other a little racing room as best we can. Although 'rubbin aint racing' with us and aggressive and forceful driving is frowned upon, we still get occasional thrills and spills.... that's the nature of racing! AND we do something that no other Class or Series does. Prior to every race, our cars are on display for the fans to look over and talk to the drivers. Generally we give out postcards and information on our Cars, Drivers and Series. Its all part of our show.
Since our inception in 2012, using this formula, our Class and Series have grown from 5 registered cars at our first race at Ohio's Deerfield Speedway to 40+ registered cars for 2016. The 'Thunder on the Dirt' Series has got bigger each year, taking in new tracks and in 2016, is expanding from a Western Pennsylvania regional Series into more tracks in Ohio, Western New York and possibly Ontario, Canada. Our races regularly feature drivers from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Canada and Maryland. And for the first time, in 2016 we find ourselves HEADLINING at some tracks - unheard of for Vintage cars!
Going forward, our Club and Series will continue to be innovative, progressive and creative and bring to every Track at which we race, the best possible show we can provide for todays race fan.
