North Country Race Talk

Hello All,

This is a summery of a phone call I got from Paul Lyndacker this morning. He asked that I post this information.

1) No final decision has been made in the case of the 22 light truck. There are a number of officials still investigating the questioning of the interpretation of the frame height rule. Paul will go along with what ever is decided.

2) Please keep the negative comments in check. A lot of good people are trying to sort this out in a fair and consistent manner. It isn't going to help any of us in the long run to downgrade the facility we all race at.

3) Teams need to show the officials respect. Yelling, cursing, and abusive language will only make matters worse.

I'm sorry if that this is so abbreviated, unlike my usual ramblings, but I'm heading out the door in a few minutes and will not have internet access for a couple of weeks.

I just asked that everyone think before they speak. This is a good medium to exchange ideas and be entertained.

Steve Burton, AIS SS #10

Unfortunatly for Paul there was a final decision made by Tech, the officials and the rules committe, Paul overturned that decision after the racing was over. This is the type of favortism that is ruining the track. Once Tech, the officials and the rules committe make a decision that should be the end of it. Paul himself is the one ruining the reputation of the track by not letting tech, the officials, and the committes do their jobs. As for the yelling, cursing and abusive language Paul brings that upon himself. The drivers went through the proper channels, a decision was made and because Paul didn"t like the decision he overturned the decision. I want to applaud the tech dept., the officials and the committe's for trying to do their jobs only to have a boss that won't back them up.

I want everyone to know that it was me who put the compliant against the 22 truck forward because this is supposed to be a cheap fun exciting class. that if you build a truck(and I Did) you want it to be competetive to the rules.

My compliant was rule Number 4.3. Ground Clearance – Frame and all body parts, including ground effects, with exception of front valiance must maintain a minimum ground clearance of 5.0” (inches). Front valiance must maintain a minimum ground clearance of 2.0” (inches) measured at the lowest point. Ground clearance measurement is measured from the lowest point of measured part, and to be taken with the fully-suited driver in the truck and in normal sitting position. Measurements can be taken prior to, or following any given event. There is Zero (0) tolerance.

I notice by looking at the truck go around the track that the front of the 22 truck was almost on the ground, throwing up a red flag in my mind, since building and driving my own truck i study the rules to get everything out of my little truck

I filed a formal compliant with the officials within 10 minutes after the race in writing with the dollar amount for the compliant. which is stated in the rules.

My compliant was the front crossmember which on all the trucks is even or higher then the frame: 22 Greg Roes 4 3/8 Inches, 17b Joey Bourgouis 7 inches, 51 Dan Bellinger 6 1/2 inches, 14 Dave Keefer 7 1/2 inches

Now the biggest problem is the cross member part of the frame? Tech official and drivers committee decided yes cross member is part of the frame Dq 22 is to low

When i left the track last night the call for the penalty was overturned to no disqualification

I want all the officials deciding the interpretation of the rule to just look at it disqualifing a race winnner, not a track champion

thanks, Dan Bellinger jr #51

I don't understand the confusion. the rule states "FRAME AND ALL BODY PARTS" It seems pretty simple to me that the crossmember is either part of the frame or would be covered under "ALL BODY PARTS. Therefore the 22 truck was clearly illegal and the DQ should stand. Furthermore a complaint was made according to the rules, a decision was made according to the rules. Paul should return the money to Dan Bellinger if he is not willing to follow the rules. Dan did everything according to the rules and proved that the 22 truck was running an illegal truck in two different divisions. If the ruling does not stand as a DQ it is only going to make things worse. WRONG IS WRONG STAND BY THE RULES THAT WERE CREATED!!!!!!!!!!

Dan,

On the front page of the AIS website it states:

3. VISUAL PROTEST - Such protest must be filed before the start of the feature event or race in which violation is alleged. Visual protest shall be interpreted to mean any protest relating to equipment which is outwardly visible, including that located underneath hoods or the covering accessible to observations without the use of tools except weight requirement. Speedway has sole discretion in interpretation of what constitutes a visual protest. Speedway has the right to inspect cars for visual violation of the rules. E.G. Dirt Noses, numbers not legible or other non-safety visual violations. First week you will be verbally warned and may start scratch, second week you will be forced to remain pitside until said violation is fixed to comply with the rulebook and/or officials judgement.

I would believe that your protest would require the use of a tool (ruler/block) to check the legality of the rule being protested. So this would NOT fall under a "VISUAL PROTEST". Dan, I'm sorry to hear that the decision was overturned. It has happened before, it will happen again.

Congrats though on a great year!

Thanks, John. i had a blast it was kinda fun having 2 strong stock mazdas chase a modified ford

As for the visual protest what i did was actually the rule for the non-visual protest. i went to the pit steward when the checkered flag flew with a writen compliant and 100 dollars. so the track is trying to find a loop hole to make them sound right but i put up the money when the officials decided the disqualification the money was givin back to me. so as far as everything is concerned i protested with money in hand which is a non-visual protest, not a visual protest like the track would like you to believe. i did everything by the rules, yet when the 22 truck wanted to check our frame heights we let the tech official check my truck and the 17b let him check there truck. after we were done with tech. we have raced fair and to the rules all year to lose to a cheater

After review of the general track rules Section 6— Inspections and Procedures #3

It is determined that the #22 Truck cannot be disqualified.

SECTION 6 --- INSPECTIONS AND PROCEDURES

3. VISUAL PROTEST - Such protest must be filed before the start of the feature event or race in which violation is alleged. Visual protest shall be interpreted to mean any protest relating to equipment which is outwardly visible, including that located underneath hoods or the covering accessible to observations without the use of tools except weight requirement. Speedway has sole discretion in interpretation of what constitutes a visual protest. Speedway has the right to inspect cars for visual violation of the rules. E.G. Dirt Noses, numbers not legible or other non-safety visual violations. First week you will be verbally warned and may start scratch, second week you will be forced to remain pit side until said violation is fixed to comply with the rulebook and/or officials judgment.

4. NON-VISUAL - Protests must be filed within ten minutes after completion of event determined by the drop of the checkered flag. Only the top ten cars may protest a car that finishes ahead of their car on the same lap. Protest must be in writing as per previously stated. Protest fee is $100.00 (US funds) must accompany protest with the following exceptions. P&G test add $150.00, top end $550.00 and bottom end (crank) $550.00. Fifty dollars of P&G test, top end tear down and bottom end tear down goes to tech inspector. If car is deemed legal protester forfeits his fee, if car is found illegal protester gets his fee back less tech fee.

When Paul came down from the tower, Dan Bellinger stated to the track owner that he visually observed the #22 truck as being too low. He then told Paul he wanted track officials to do a visual inspection. A visual inspection was granted and performed. However, because Dan gave $100 it was thought that he was also asking for a non-visual inspection it was granted and performed to measure ride height. Rob wrongly returned the $100 to Dan because greg’s truck passed the non visual inspection.
The reason Greg’s truck passed inspection and was not disqualified is because it measures 5 ½” from the frame rail to the ground at its lowest point. Track officials and Track management kept an open mind to Dan’s claim and went to extra mile by contacting tech officials from years past, tech inspectors from other speedways and owners from other speedways, for an objective, non bias opinion. Every person we contacted responded that according to the racing industry that the ONLY correct way to measure ride height is from the frame rails and not from the cross members.
I would like to take this chance to mention a couple of other rules:

SECTION 2, Rule# l, KNOWLEDGE OF RULES

Drivers are responsible to know policies, rules and regulations set forth herein and those that become effective during the season.

WITH THAT RULE MENTIONED HERE GOES THE NEXT

SECTION 2, Rule # 6, CONDUCT

All members are subject to proper conduct. Acts detrimental to auto racing such as abuse of Officials and vulgarity are prohibited. The driver is the sole spokesperson for their crew. No crew member is allowed to enter the pit area of another team. Any member taking physical action against an individual or personal property, for any reason will be suspended indefinitely. All confrontations with fellow teams or drivers must be brought to the pit board and to the attention of the acting Pit Steward.

IF THE RULE WAS NOT CLEAR ENOUGH HERE IS THECLARIFICATION:

Any form of abuse towards any track official will not be tolerated

We look forward to seeing all of you in action on September 26th.

In reguards to all persons who continue to make personal attacks toward Paul and the Speedway will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly at the discretion of the owner and speedway management.

Yes I will admit that it was my mistake in not having Dan redo the protest as a non-visual protest. That being said according to the rules Greg cannot be DQd due to this protest. Also it makes the protest null and void. So returning the money to Dan was the only correct response to this.

As I have stated before and I will stand by this.
4.3. Ground Clearance – Frame and all body parts, including ground effects, with exception of front valiance must maintain a minimum ground clearance of 5.0” (inches). Front valiance must maintain a minimum ground clearance of 2.0” (inches) measured at the lowest point. Ground clearance measurement is measured from the lowest point of measured part, and to be taken with the fully-suited driver in the truck and in normal sitting position. Measurements can be taken prior to, or following any given event. There is Zero (0) tolerance.

If you read the rule it does not specifically state frame rails is where the measurement is taken from. It states the frame. It also states that the measurement is taken from the lowest point of measured part and since the crossmember on the truck is the lowest part of the frame that is where the measurement would be taken from.

If you removed everything from the frame of the truck the crossmember will still remain therefore it is part of the frame. I have also called and talked to Lloyd Larmon the Tech Inspector that taught me about being a tech inspector. He also agrees with my view on this. If anyone wants to contact he will gladly talk to anyone about this.

Next problem you have is whether or not the rules at the other tracks specifically state that the ground clearance measurement is taken from the frame rails or not. If it specifically states frame rails in their rules then that would be where it is taken from.

The tech official should have my writin protest

as for the money i got the 100 dollars back because the #22 truck was illegal

as for what i said to paul is that i notice the truck was lower then all the other trucks so i wrote out the protest on paper with 100 dollars handed it to the pit steward mr. brass minutes after the completion of the race

i wish i could just laugh this off. but this is an insult to my Intelligence

A) i built my own truck ground up, i know the rules.

B) i filed my protest according to the rules. Writen protest, 100 dollars

C) i got my money back telling me he is illegal

D) tech official, track officials tell me he is illegal he is disqualified. is that an insult to them if he isnt?

Rob because i gave you(the pit steward) a protest in writing and 100 dollars that falls under the nonvisual rule, if i walk up to you and said, "hey look the 22 truck's cross member is almost on the ground, you might want to look at that" then that would be a visual protest. but i didnt do that my protest was visual because i saw the 22 truck was to low at the crossmember, but sense it was a writen protest and you had to use a tool, it is non-visual. making one truck happy is going to make 10 disappear

Thanks Dan Bellinger #51

scott zehr, i dont know where you got what i said cause you werent there. alot of people know what i said and did and it was nothing like that. so before you quote someone again please get the facts straight.

Let me copy and paste the rules once again but i will add the beginning of them

SECTION 6 --- INSPECTIONS AND PROCEDURES

1. GENERAL PROCEDURE - Adirondack International Speedway shall govern the procedure for protests, as set forth in the current Adirondack International Speedway rules and apply to all divisions.
2. FORM OF PROTEST - All protests must be in writing and filed with the Pit Steward at the pit board within 10 minutes of the finish of the race determined by the drop of the checkered flag. From this point on the Pit Steward will notify the Race Director of the protest.

3. VISUAL PROTEST - Such protest must be filed before the start of the feature event or race in which violation is alleged. Visual protest shall be interpreted to mean any protest relating to equipment which is outwardly visible, including that located underneath hoods or the covering accessible to observations without the use of tools except weight requirement. Speedway has sole discretion in interpretation of what constitutes a visual protest. Speedway has the right to inspect cars for visual violation of the rules. E.G. Dirt Noses, numbers not legible or other non-safety visual violations. First week you will be verbally warned and may start scratch, second week you will be forced to remain pitside until said violation is fixed to comply with the rulebook and/or officials judgement.

4. NON-VISUAL - Protests must be filed within ten minutes after completion of event determined by the drop of the checkered flag. Only the top ten cars may protest a car that finishes ahead of their car on the same lap. Protest must be in writing as per previously stated. Protest fee is $100.00 (US funds) must accompany protest with the following exceptions. P&G test add $150.00, top end $550.00 and bottom end (crank) $550.00. Fifty dollars of P&G test, top end tear down and bottom end tear down goes to tech inspector. If car is deemed legal protester forfeits his fee, if car is found illegal protester gets his fee back less tech fee.

Now can everyone see the funny part. ok look at number 2. form of protest

How can you file a protest before the start of the feature when All protests must be in writing and filed with the Pit Steward at the pit board within 10 minutes of the finish of the race determined by the drop of the checkered flag.

So my protest is not null and void and the #22 is illegal
And if everyone wants to think about it my visual protest was for the #22 truck which was brought to the official attention before the ladies light truck feature

So anyway you want to look at it the 22 is illegal and should be disqualified for the race on 9/19/09

All i want is the right thing to be done here, how can it be allowed to win a race when violating the rules?
Are we trying to show all of the young fans that it is better to cheat to win?
i think it would be a much better image to show them that it is alot more rewarding to win when following the rules

Dan Bellinger #51

Bellinger,Bellinger,Bellinger. You are so right in what you are saying. I believe you did what you were supposed to.The pit steward did what he was supposed to do.The tech man did what he was supposed to do.Now keep in mind I know non of the truck drivers involved here.So I am as impartial as anyone could be.Rules were stated and rules were followed by you.So what is the problem here.Cut and dry it should be.I know what I would do.Suck it up and not race there again.Wait untill after the last race and write the NYS attorney general and let them investigate if you have been fraudulently taken after paying to entertain the fans.There are special rules that apply to entertainment laws.And I am pretty sure Paul is personally good friends with the NYS attorney Generals office, At least when nephew Elliot was there! (It is sad, this is a beautiful racing facility,and the track officials and most of the racers and fans are very nice people.Just takes one bad apple to spoil the whole basket. Bellinger you did a good job this year,thanks for the racing entertainment by all of you .89brc

scott since the track is going to do what they want,i have (1) queston,were are you and paul getting trucks to run 9/26/09 and who is going to be their? i work on a lot of trucks and right know i do not think their will be alot of people their.hope ypu and the track have a good time,were going to dirt!!!also randy good try see you next year.