The State of OUR sport; Past, Present, and Future

A continuing series of interviews through the eyes of YOU, our Teams, Drivers, Promoters, Tracks, Sanctioning Bodies, and Fans…

Darrell LaMoure at home in Phoenix.

Intro

Darrell LaMoure in Victory Lane

For part 4 in the series, we speak with our first racer, long time Southwest Tour competitor.......Darrell LaMoure. After many emails and phone calls I met Darrell for the first time up at Shasta in May, and can certainly say firsthand...."He is one of the Good Guys of our Sport". Racing aside, what he does for his Cause is truly outstanding and honorable. Many of his Racing for the Missing group were on hand, and despite the tough night he had as far as his race went, finished first in my book.

Darrell has raced on the Tour for 12 years now, and is of course well qualified to have substantial insight on the Tour and it’s past, it’s future as SRL/ASA, and Saturday night racing in general.

The Path of the Tour

Andy Daddario : Where did you grow up, where did you first race locally, what led you to go Southwest Tour racing? 

Darrell LaMoure: I was born in Alhambra,California and lived in Covina until we moved to Arizona in 1972 at twelve years of age. Besides being a car enthusiast most of my life, I didn’t get involved in oval track racing till late in life, twenty eight to be exact. The location was Canyon raceway North of town on July 16th 1988. Funny thing is that was the beginning of many nick names for me, that year it was "spin" for spinning three times in my first main in the IMCA mods, and being black flagged.

The Path leading me to the tour? A friend of mine back in the late eighty’s talked of the Southwest Tour as if it were the super bowl of motorsports out West. I believe the first time I saw the tour run was at the Copper world classic. I was with legends like AJ Foyt, Roger McClusky, and Johnny Parsons atop a motor home watching the race. Of course all of them being USAC guys, I understood the aggravation of multiple yellows and the bitching they were doing. Anyway that is what hooked me, and a couple years later we found a Sheriff from the Bay area who had a new Oldsmobile for rent. Larry brought it down for the Classic in 1992 and we gave it our best, only to expire the engine during practice. Well as you can imagine that did the job, and we have been around the series ever since.

AD: I was there with you that year in 1992 up in the stands somewhere.

AD: WHY DO YOU RACE?

DL: For fun. We make all kinds of decisions, some of which will get you in trouble. I find racing, tour racing, is safe, clean, and entertaining, and not just for me personally. Over the past twelve or so years I have met a ton of great folks. Let me stop right there because it reminds me of a circumstance. A lot of us grow up maintaining friendships like from High school and earlier, not that I haven’t, but as I started responding to your question, it reminded me that most of my friends today are folks I have met racing. That includes both fans and fellow competitors alike. Why do I race? It’s a life style really, I guess I could have chosen rock climbing or hiking, and could have met some really great people there also, but I choose Tour racing because of its strong competition, and its friendly laid back yet on the edge atmosphere. The people from the stands to the officials all have one mission, to have fun while being safe about it.

AD: If racing is for fun, why are we having such a hard time coming up with common sets of ideas to keep things fun. I have no doubt many of your friends come from within the racing community, mine too. It's a completely different breed of people which I absolutely love hanging around. That's why I have such a hard time understanding why you guys, sanctioning, and the tracks can't seem to work together to fix some of these problems. It seems like a no brainer for the tracks to have common rules so Late Models,Modified, even Street Stocks, can travel to close by tracks on "off" weekends, strengthening car count for everyone. It makes no sense for these tracks and sanctioning bodies to keep their agendas any more. Please enlighten me if you can.

DL: Issues are like small bites from something you didn’t see land on your arm; you feel the effect and wonder how they attached themselves to you. Although we have them, and have to deal with them, we don’t. That’s the real question isn’t it, what issues bother Darrell? I can go off like a volcano if I don’t control myself, and the freaking rumors will about kill you. The logic of any of it is mind boggling. GREED. Everyone is greedy and needs something. The others are tired, yes tired, of dealing with people that have an agenda unwilling to be flexible, the majority of whom want more then they deserve.

The fans pay to be entertained and that is the job of the teams and promoters for a fair fee. There are plenty of fans out there, we just have to share what we have to offer, and they will come. What movie had that field? "Build it they will come" exactly my point. What are the biggest challenges? Controlling costs for everyone. I think NASCAR failed to do this and the end result is what we are seeing now; the loss of the touring series and whatever is next. Again its all about greed and control; how much can I own and make. Do you think old man France was thinking this back 50 something years ago? NO WAY

Costs and Time

AD: Ok, this issue has already gotten me in trouble with a number of you out there (many emails and phone calls) but I’m going to ask it anyway. Is a lot of the cost factor as simple as "following the money"? Figure out exactly what we're spending money on, and decide if that is ABSOLUTELY necessary toward putting on the show. (making hard core cost cuts like a business would)

Yes, the Tour should be on a different level than Street Stock, but same concept. Do we really need "X" to put on a good Tour show? (or any division for that matter)

I always think back to the "classic" 75 Spears Tour car with Roman Calzynski. The car came in on a modified open flatbed truck with some slightly cooler lockers and such for parts and things, but it was basically a flat bed truck. That approach held through all aspects of their car, and all cars in the early years of the Tour. Hornaday, PU truck and same open trailer a street stock would come in on. Spears had the most advanced setup during those years I can remember.

During my early late model years as a sponsor/helper, we did almost all the work ourselves. We reclipped the car (wreck at Vegas) ourselves, built our own motors, open trailer, etc. We got away from that at some point and I'm not totally sure for the better. Certainly that cool looking racecar on the open trailer turned heads on the way to the track!

My actual question is.........What do you think about today’s costs vs the early years of the Tour? (Or really most of our divisions for that matter) How does yesterday compare to today? It seems so many of our divisions are losing cars, mostly because of these two issues.

DL: Easy, define competition and you have the answer for that question. Racing is like War in ways that remove the concern for cost. Racing is about winning more than the liberal approach of playing the game. Oh by the way, I am one-hundred percent supportive of Vince Lombardi’s thoughts on the matter and I quote the great coach " Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing that matters".

Nascar opened a phrase that catches my attention " How Bad do you have it". Back in the day we spent what we thought was ton, only to find out years later that was nothing. Technology advancements through the years will always hinder the control of cost, but its all part of the American way. I applaud the designers of these gadgets and tools, the engine development guys and gals the crew chiefs for finding ways to beat the system, so that we can have a chance to beat the next guy.

AD: Ok, I do understand beating the rules, I get it, part of the sport. Speaking as a fan, I don't enjoy Tour racing any more today than before. I love this division from the first time I saw it during the Hornaday/Carelli years to today. The names have changed, but the coolness and professionalism of the division remains. With the our highest divisions setting the bar this high, with the numbers I’ve seen, it creates problems all the way down the line.........doesn't it?

DL: Maybe beating the rules is an under statement, and not exactly correct either. With exception to safety, related rule changes for the Tour have remained intact for the most part. The differences between today and the day of old is interpretation and willingness to experiment. Bottom line until someone catches you or creates a ruling variance amendment, all racers will continue to challenge. Where we haven’t had much change is speeds and that has been controlled by the tire rule. We are all pushing the tires to the max, but in the day we had what is referred to as a sticky tire, and we could drive the wheels off them with less horse power, and with not so much emphasis on chassis handling. As for setting the bar high? I don’t care what level of racing you’re in, there are always guys pushing the envelope and it becomes a matter of lead, follow, or get out of the way. Rules generally are dictating control of race cars, and conduct nothing else. All the extra sizzle we see like the transporters, uniforms spares paid crew chiefs and members... are unnecessary expenditures driven by competition within the racer, not the sanctioning body and or the rules.

AD: I had a chat with a touring owner that wanted to explain to me why things should be left alone cost wise. Speaking as a fan/sponsor don’t we need to continue to keep costs in check so we have full fields PLUS in every division (having b mains like the good ole days). It's no fun to watch 5 or 6 guy’s race for the win every week, it's not. This is not specifically directed to the Tour or West, but all divisions.

DL: I am not against free trade allowing for opportunity in the sport such as engines, shocks, chassis parts… but you're right in being concerned about the cost. The biggest issue with car counts in the west or Tour is not costs, it’s the environment in which the do haves and the do not haves enjoy themselves, and take their ball and bat elsewhere. Of course that is my honest opinion.

What are you trying to say about 5-6 cars going for the win every week? If you’re referring to short track racing those 5-6 guys are the ones who have all the magic that week, this is not different in any form of racing. Then again if you’re speaking of 5 or 6 guy’s total racing then that is no good for anyone and a whole other topic.

AD: I do get you on the "magic" angle perfectly. I was referring to the smaller fields in so many of our divisions. I want to see full fields, sponsors brought back because we have so many fans in the stands, and then tv. I would certainly encourage the time investment lowered also.

DL: Here’s a take from a different perspective and something I am familiar with. In the high tech industry of electronics, new products are introduced and unfortunately at a higher average selling price, than the copied version coming down stream. I don’t think racing is much different with exception to parts. As technology advances so does the costs of the products. Once they become a standard shelved item, then they are not so much a factor. Do you see where I am going? If the rule says it has to be red and square, the racers will find a way to make a better green one red, and a round one square, especially if there is a distinctive advantage, no matter the cost. I believe the only way to control costs completely is to copy IROC otherwise your just blowing smoke.

It doesn’t matter what sport we talk about, there are those who have and those who don’t. I have said this for years in many of my Tour Talk articles that each of us has to find our own level of competition, one that we can afford relevant to each owns circumstances. Andy you may be able to afford a tour car, but are smarter than that and run a super late or a modified versus a super stock… But most racers know exactly what they are getting into and bitch all the way, it’s the nature of the beast, and certainly the nature of the American people. Racers are a people of choices which creates issues, and yet privileges as well. I am all for free enterprise and against crate engines, what’s the point? Cost? Heck who gets the biz, Chevy or Ford? Point is this will only create other issues…

Can’t handle the heat, get out of the fire!

Andy the people making a living in motorsports are a part of the life cycle system of sorts. There are products, service, & suppliers to fill the pipeline. Then there are the consumer’s, racers, & fans… Can we limit use and control its cost structure........ yes, but like any competitive natured idealizes, it will find a way to beat the rule. We will find the exception within the parameters, and drive the cost back up again, one vicious circle I guess. Do we need $3,000 shocks or $40,000 engines and $300,000 transporters NO we don’t, I miss my old PU and flat bed trailer, fact we could get to CNS two hours sooner in that rig…

AD: Ok, point made. I’ll let it go for this round!........LOL!

 The Future

The Future of Racing.

AD: What do you think about the future of the Tour under SRL/ASA

DL: Boy your asking what was once and still may be a die hard Nascar loyalist. I haven’t paid attention too much. I do know that guys like Davey Hamilton have a good reputation as a driver and a business man. SRL has a great chance because of Nascars decision to dump the series. Where the heck are millions of dollars going to go if not to places like SRL? From conversations with a couple of people the SRL sounds like the early days of the tour. Laid back, simple ,and fun. Lets see if they get greedy like everyone does?

AD: What do you think about the future of our sport, West to Hobby Stocks?

DL: Racing isn’t going anywhere. Maybe the liberals of California will stop a portion of it, but the majority will always win. We may have to move around a bit from time to time, but if you know what I mean, it's not going away.

The more directed question should be, what will we be racing and where. It’s obvious the big boys have selected their venues; picked there ball and bat. Now we can choose what we want to do with the rest of the time they left us.

Let’s look at the some of the issues at hand. Noise, pollution, and the environment, are the three major concerns surrounding racetracks right? Racers themselves will drive all night long, so the fans are our first consideration for location, noise and pollution. Places like Cajon, Madera, Stockton, Mesa Marin and others all blend in their communities respectively. California Speedway, Pikes Peak, and Daytona on the other hand are located more in the business districts or industrial areas, further from the populations. How do we keep the short tracks down town alive? By keeping the people happy, ask them what they want and how they can co-exist with the tracks. Bring all the promoters together with the people and iron out their differences so that everyone is ok with the progression of things to come. Communicate with the people, not control through a dictatorship I say.

AD: Agree here. Irwindale was built in the middle of an industrial area and probably safe for many years to come. The New Mesa is miles away from town. Should be safe long after we're gone.

What are your plans for next year?

DL: You don’t know me so let’s say for conversation sake if I don’t know something, I will respond with "going fishing".

AD: Ok, fair enough. Tour fan Andy asks you to give SRL/ASA a shot next year. I'll be there.

Do you have some advice to our sanctioning bodies, our racetracks, our racers?

DL: Business advise huh? Unfortunately it’s all about greed. Each of us has a balance sheet we live by. Some have the ability to adjust it so that others benefit from our efforts, while others do not care. There is a fine line between business and being happy, very few can do both. My advice is to learn as much about everything before making a decision on any matter. Once the people have been heard, the opportunity to make the best decision for the majority will be obvious.

AD: If you were the Brian France of short tracks, what would you do? How would you change things?

DL: In my opinion Its beyond the Frances, it’s all about bottom lines. The idea was good, but the decimal points kept moving, and they lost a hold of the whole thing in my opinion. It’s still a family friendly sport, but the target market is narrowing to the point they know exactly where they want it, and how to get it there. When you say short tracks you mean everything other then the major three divisions and Indy right? Same as it was before the Big Gorilla came years ago, only difference is the people are moving into those neighborhoods where tracks used to be, or are being forced out. Vision is needed now more then ever look into your crystal ball and pay attention to what you see and hear. That is my suggestion for the future locations of our short tracks…Racing will be here for our kids and their kids if we look ahead of the hood ornaments and down the street, I hope I am a part of the process for a long time.

AD: How do we bring people back to Saturday Night Racing? Racers and Fans?

DL: I see the media playing a huge part in the sport. As long as we continue to share the good rather then the other, it’s my opinion things will move towards the positive. Say its bad and we believe its bad... Every business has a balance sheet, and I think the track owners/promoters trust history as the measurement for the future. I mean if they had a thousand fans for an event four years running, they most likely will get the same next year. Now if the sanctioning body requires additional purse moneys the promoter has to make it up somewhere completing a viscous circle. The visionaries of old are now bean counters.

AD: If you had the power to make any change you wanted for our short track sport. What would you do?

DL: Two fold answers if I may

1) create a non-profit organization, a governing body that over sees the rules state by state, a group of folks who don't care about their wallets... . One that determines advantages versus disadvantages and create a leveling rule structure that will allow for racers from everywhere to run everywhere. Have specific rule amenities to create a even playing field, even if the chassis or engines are not the same or spec…

2) Televise as much as possible, even if its late night no name cable what ever. Its necessary for the racers to gain the ability to reach the general public or the people in larger numbers. This sends a message and provides opportunity for their sponsors. No sponsors no racers, no racers no fans, no fans racing…

AD: Agreed on both points here. The organization is necessary to coordinate all the racers, tracks, sanctioning, and sponsors as one group. They can then utilize all those resources to buy the best tv time possible, promote the entire sport instead of a single race or track, obtain the best insurance possible, share sponsors, coordinate complementary schedules and rules, on and on. It just makes sense. It’s really time for this to happen. Is it a huge project? Absolutely, but we have people within our ranks capable of starting the process.

Ok, next question, technically how would you change the divisions?

DL: One rule book, one organization with competition leveling variations based on chassis and engine rule specific to each track/promoter…

AD: Agreed on all points.

How would Darrell LaMoure save our sport?

DL: It doesn’t need saving, just a house cleaning.

AD: Makes complete sense to me, but why doesn't anyone seem to want to start to make some of these changes?

DL: Racing isn’t for everyone Andy, only the few can truly enjoy the sport to its fullest. So when you say why, its not that simple because most of us like it as it was, and when change is interjected, that’s when the issues arise.

AD: How would you unite the Racers and Tracks with Sanctioning?

DL: Non-profit organization that over sees the division(s) without the need for sanctioning fees to run events. Allow the promoters to utilize their gate and entrance fees as the cover for a good purse for the racers, offer a reasonable entrance fee for the fans, and everyone wins.

AD: How would you get fans back to our sport? How would you bring more Racers into your fold?

DL: Cost effective entertainment, the average family can not afford $20 tickets! Fill the seats, sell the hot dogs and beer, cut the sanctioning bodies fees out, and reduce the cost to the fan, and you have a winner.

AD: Sounds like the perfect answer to me Darrell. Now is the time to do just that! Thanks so much for taking your time to respond to the questions, and look forward to seeing you race for many years to come.

DL: No thank you Andy its obvious who’s the true racer in this article!

What have we learned?

1. Costs: The cost issue is a complicated one. Simply going to a spec car doesn't seem to be anyone's answer.
   
   
2. NPO: A Non profit organization to organize sanctioning, racers, and tracks and even sanction races on their own.
   
   
3. TV: A necessity even late at night.
   
   
4. One rule book, one organization with competition leveling variations based on chassis and engine rule specific to each track/promoter…
   
   
5. Cost effective entertainment and competition. 
   
   
6. Visionaries are needed to bring us back on track.
   
   
7. Sanctioning fees are eating up the profits at the track level.

Andy Daddario
Saugus, Ca.

Comments about my article can be sent to andydadd [at] yahoo.com