Carolina's Pro Challenge Partnership

For the first time ever, MMRA is partnering with the Carolina's PRO Challenge cars for several events in 2010.  The poor economy has affected car counts everywhere, but promoters and fans still want an exciting show, and racers want to race against the most competition possible.  PRO Challenge cars are similar in size to Baby Grand racecars, and are also powered by motorcycle engines.  The same Yamaha engine used in Baby Grands is legal, but most of their cars are powered by Kawasaki engines.  Given these similarities, it makes sense to work together to promote better racing in the Carolinas.  Andrews Motorsports, a Baby Grand and PRO Challenge dealer has forged an alliance with the UARA Late Model Touring Series.  At most 2010 UARA events, we will be the support division for the late models.  At these events, PRO Challenge and Baby Grand racecars will race together as one group to provide the best racing for the fans and competitors.  As usual, here is an FAQ section with more info:

1.  How can different cars race together?  Baby Grands and PRO Challenge cars are very similar in many ways, but the most important factor is tires.  In these events, ALL cars will race on Baby Grand tires.

2.  Why will PRO Challenge cars be faster?  PRO Challenge cars are longer and wider than Baby Grands.

3.  Why will Baby Grand cars be faster?  Baby Grands are left-hand offset chassis, while PRO Challenge are perimeter cars.  Also, PRO Challenge cars are limited to 55% left side weight.  Finally, Baby Grands are 100 pounds lighter.

4.  What if one car actually is faster than the other?  We will work with Andrews motorsports to adjust the rules for these events if necessary.  With the cars being so close however, the fast drivers with the best setup will be up front regardless of the type of car they are racing.

5.  Which events will be combined?  Look on the MMRA East PRO Division schedule - the events with a "PC" after the track name are combined events with the PRO Challenge cars.

6.  How many cars are expected?  On the PRO Challenge side, there are 8-12 cars expected for the events.  On the Baby Grand side, there can be a similar number of cars.  As such, it is likely we will see 20 car fields for these events.

7.  What about the money?  At these events, Andrews Motorsports is charging a $100 per car entry fee and each track will have their own pit pass fees.  The purse is then paid by Andrews Motorsports after the event.  The purse is based on car count, and unless it is a bonus money race, the purse is as follows:  TBA

8.  What's this about Bonus Money races?  A sponsor has been signed to sponsor several of these events  which will provide a great purse.  At these races, there will be several cars from Kentucky and Tennessee coming to race, so large car counts are likely.  These races are shown on the East PRO Division schedule with a "$$" after the track name.  At these events, this will be the purse structure:

9.  What about points?  Baby Grand racers will join MMRA as usual, and PRO Challenge racers will join their sanctioning body, PASCAR.  At the Bonus Money races, MMRA will recognize PASCAR members and PASCAR will recognize MMRA members for results and points.  In addition, if a PRO Challenge racer wants to join MMRA as a PRO Division member, they will be eligible to receive points in all their races.  If an MMRA racer wants to run in all the PRO Challenge races, they can join PASCAR and receive points in all events.

10.  So could a PRO Challenge racer win the MMRA Eastern PRO Division championship?  MMRA will recognize PASCAR members ONLY at the Bonus money races.  There are only 5 of these events, so that wouldn't be enough to win the championship.  As stated in question 9 above, MMRA will allow PRO Challenge racers to join MMRA in the PRO Division and receive points in all events.  MMRA membership fees for 2010 are $80 for drivers and $35 for associate members.  If a PRO Challenge racer decides to join MMRA, and earns the most points in 10 events, they would win the Eastern PRO Division championship.

11.  Could a Baby Grand racer win the Carolina's PASCAR championship?  Yes, Baby Grand racers will be able to join PASCAR and receive points at all events and compete for the championship.  The PASCAR membership is $200.

12.  Why allow each others racers to join the sanctioning bodies?  This whole project is to build car count, and promote more successful events.  If there is a race with 10 Baby Grand cars and 10 PRO Challenge cars, which is better - posting a 20 car finishing order, or each one posting a 10 car finishing order?  The cars will be running together and competing against each other, so it makes sense to promote this fact.

13.  Aren't PRO Challenge cars and drivers MMRA's competition?  Not now.  We are working together to give all our racers bigger events with larger purses, our promoters a larger show, and our fans the most exciting product possible.

14.  Who is operating these events?  Andrews Motorsports is managing the events.  If you have questions about race day schedules, procedures, etc. contact Curt Andrews at www.andrewsmotorsports.com or 704-782-6134.

15.  How will tech be handled?  Baby Grands will run by the MMRA rulebook, and PRO Challenge cars will run by the PASCAR rulebook, except that they will also run Baby Grand tires.

16.  More questions?  Send an e-mail to mmra@MMRAracing.com