(Long Island, NY.) Like many Pro Mod associations, the NEOPMA has seen a decline in race car attendance and felt changes were needed to revive the nature of our club.
The NEOPMA has always welcomed change when necessary, so we went to our member base and asked them to vote on things they deemed necessary to increase attendance.
Here is what we found, and changes planned for 2020.
- 1. The NEOPMA will be changing to Eighth Mile. Twenty-two of twenty-nine members who voted preferred 1/8 mile over 1/4 mile while nine others could not be reached. The “Primary Reasons” given for their vote were… less breakage and cost, fear of big speeds, easier adaptability to race with other associations and better able to compete with big dollar teams.
- 2. Given the change and the need for Parity, the NEOPMA will be changing rules and primarily using PDRA and some NMCA rules as they have the eighth mile experience. Minor changes only as needed to maintain parity. Club Officials retain the right to change rules on the spot to assure parity and or to stay in competition with other associations. Screw Blower allowed. New rules have been or will be posted.
- 3. One sixteen car field will be re-instituted. If we have 32 or more attendees, we may consider an alternate field, TBD.
- 4. Our Partner tracks have agreed to work with us because they want full fields and good spectator attendance. If, however we do not have full fields or consistent poor spectator attendance …they may consider lower pay outs or cancellation of future races.
- 5. The $1,000.00 annual dues will remain the same allowing driver and 3 crew into all our events free that is less than $167.00 per race. Members will be expected to attend a minimum of 50% of races.
- 6. We will reduce the number of events from 9 to 6 points races but may consider an invitational or ONE Super Race. No races in July and probably August. Our preference is to book races in April, May, June, September, October. For those racing other events / associations, we will try to avoid major races like Yellow Bullet and Shakedown. Of concern is booking / racing in September due to the two events.
- 7. Pay outs will remain as follows:
- A) Winner: $5,000.00
- B) Runner Up: $1,500.00
- C) Semis: $800.00<
- D) 2nd Round Losers: $600.00
- E) 1st Round Losers: $500.00
- If we pick up additional sponsors, we may have some major events that will pay $10,000.00 to winners.
- 8. Please welcome Dave Hance who will be joining the staff / team driving sponsor and membership programs as well as increasing social media coverage. Dave has been a racer / friend and sponsor of the NEOPMA and longtime spokesperson for PM. Dave is a welcomed addition to our family.
Also, please welcome Donna and Jimmy Curci as members of our support staff helping coordinate events, post results, send out notices etc. Shawn Pass will also be joining our social media team to help drive these efforts. The NEOPMA would also love to have everyone individually help to bolster our exposure to fans, member base and sponsors by using your Facebook and other social networks to communicate our value. THIS IS THE BEST PRO MOD DEAL IN THE COUNTRY. - 9. Our hero, Mark Tinari continues to do a remarkable job managing our marketing web site, generating beautiful flyers while taking art like photographs despite his serious health issues. Thank you, Mark, and stay healthy.
Please feel free to call me (John Mazzorana NEOPMA SERIES President) with any questions at 516-857-3120 or email jfmazz@optonline.com .