Stan Lester: “It is my desire to make things as competitive as it possibly can be.”
In November, Fastrak announced a new rule change. It was regarding shocks and springs for the crate late model division. They are attempting to put limits on how much teams can spend on a shock package.
However, there was a backlash. The basis of the opposing argument is, ‘it won’t save us money.’
In their defense, for the teams that have already purchased a high dollar shock package, they will now have to buy a new ‘cheaper’ package. The requirement to buy new shocks certainly wouldn’t save those specific teams any money, in the short term.
Related: “I think we’d be better off with less rules and the cost would be lower.” -Mark Richards
In the long term, it absolutely will save money, for the larger teams. For the smaller teams, who don’t have a high dollar shock package to begin with, the rule doesn’t effect them, cost wise. It does level the playing field, for the small teams.
The post on new shock/spring rules was eventually deleted.
“I have removed the shock/spring rule post. I have gotten to old to hear people continually beat up on me for something I have spent 10 years working on,” Stan Lester stated.
Recently, Stan Lester posted a new update:
Stan Lester Statement
“Concerning the shock and/or spring rule. After having a conversation last night with a team the word “control” came up. Please know its not my idea of controlling you, it is the idea however to control the money you need to spend to still be competitive. I have no desire to control people. Lord I am in the process of turning things over to other people. I personally have no desire to control anything. Not how I operate.”
I’ve already had people call and say they wouldn’t be running FASTRAK if we took your advantage away.
-Stan Lester
“I know its really hard to think outside of what you personally need as a team. I mean after all its to your benefit to do whats best for you and I understand that, I used to be one of you remember? However I am forced to look after everyone. Thats my job. I’ve already had people call and say they wouldn’t be running FASTRAK if we took your advantage away. Think about that for a minute. Please try to think about everyone, the sport as a whole and what we can do collectively to fix this problem, and we all know it IS a problem.”
“It’s of course not my desire to lose any teams, but it is my desire to make things as competitive as it possibly can be. Some people have called to say they won’t be back, but others have called to say this change is the only reason they are staying also. Just saying its works both ways.”
“A question I would appreciate if everyone would consider and think about. Really think about. Where is your max budget for shocks? Everyone has a max at some point. Is your max $500 per shock? If so then what are you going to do when someone elses max is $5000 per shock? Will you quit, or will you be ok with running 10th because you are max $500?”
“Fact is no one likes change in anything, especially in racing, but sometimes we are “forced” to make changes based on whats on the market. Anyone that tells you there is no such thing as a $10,000 shock or a $25,000 shock doesn’t know what they are talking about. I HAVE SEEN THEM PERSONALLY. They are out there so whats to stop someone from simply outspending you and not your current advantage has suddenly become a disadvantage. Can you imagine HAVING to have $100,000 for 4 shocks just to be competitive? How many cars do you think would be at a weekly track if you needed $40,000 shocks, much less $100,000 shocks? ZERO is the answer. The class would simply be gone.”
“Look around at other that have become before us, a lot larger than we are and lets try to learn from their mistakes, not repeat them. I hear some people say well the cars will be harder to drive. ANNNNND? Is there something wrong with not being able to flat foot the turns? Maybe having to use your brakes to turn and who knows, maybe then the talent shines even more.”
“At any rate have a little faith in us guys. Faith that we have seen things you might not know about yet. Faith that this is not about us, but all about our teams and tracks. I’ve been in racing for over 50 years and sometimes we simply have to learn from our mistakes.”
“This is a process. Not an easy one either mind you, but a process we must decide on for the betterment of the sport. Not you in particular and not us as we don’t have to spend money on shocks so why do we even care at all? Simply to make it better for everyone involved.”
“After we have meetings at PRI, we should have a direction. We will come back, call all our tracks and let them know what we have learned and together we will make a final decision.
Thanks for taking time to read this and consider our position.”
Stan Lester
Related: “We’re at a crossroads in our sport of which direction to go.” -Jason Feger
Related: Rick Salter on cutting costs of dirt late model racing
