5 replies to this topic

[Manfred Cubenoggin]

Hi, fellas. Here's an obscure one for you.

I've searched the Net in general and TNF in particular for info on claiming races in auto sports competition. Precious little out there. The only thing I could find was the following link:

http://winfield.50me...ey/30Aug50.html

I find this concept most intriguing and would hope that members could contribute some things they've learned over the years. Some of the details which I'd like to learn include...

started when? last invoked? classes involved? locales?

TY.

[maoricar]

Claiming races.racing is still in use today, at least here in Maryland. The format may be somewhat different, in that it would seem to apply to engines, rather than the entire car.
I have no idea how often 'claiming' is actually invoked
However it still exists on dirt-track type racing as per the article posted

[RStock]

The "claim rule" is one used wherever they want to keep the competition cheap , and at least somewhat honest .That link you provided to the Windfeild race is one of the earliest I've heard of . It was quite common to have such a limit on the "bomber" or "street stock" class when I got started in the early 70's .

The IMCA modified class has always had an "engine claim rule" , whereas you can purchase the engine of a competitor (I think the car had to finish in the top 4 in any particular race in order to be claimed) It's benefit in keeping costs down is somewhat debatable and the rule has been changed a bit recently . I think you can now opt to swap engines or take a cash amount .

But with it and the "one tire rule" it has no doubt helped the IMCA modified class flourish . They usually have a large car count at their races , and you can pretty much take one anywhere in the country and be legal and competitive .

I only know of the claim rules being used in dirt track (or short track , I should say) competition , it would be interesting to know if it has been used in other types of racing .

[JimInSoCalif]

In the very late 50's or very early 60's I attended a few claiming races at Saugus Speedway - a 1/3 paved oval in the Santa Clarita Valley. At first the amount of the claim was $50, but it was raised to a more realistic $200. The cars were stock cars that were about 10 years old or a tad more. I doubt that the cars raced anywhere else. Olds 88s did well as did Hudson Hornets. I remember Hudsons breaking a spindle just like they did in NASCAR when they were new.

That is about all that I remember. For more info on Saugus Speedway (also called Bonelli Speedway) see Wiki: http://en.wikipedia....Saugus_Speedway

You may have seen Saugus Speedway in some low budget racing movies that had scenes from a paved track. Similar movies that had scenes from a dirt track, were probably shot at Ascot Park in Gardena.

Cheers, Jim.

[raceannouncer2003]

Here is an explanation of "claimer" racing at Western Speedway here in Victoria, B.C., Canada. I understand it has been going since 1988, and typically, I think, involves cars like older Camaros, etc:

http://www.cybersalt...r/waclaimer.htm

The explanation is by Rev. Tim Davis, "The Pastor of Disaster". More on Tim here:

http://www.cybersalt...riot/driver.htm

In the latter years of Westwood, there was a similar claimer class for Datsun 510s that was quite successful.

Vince H.

[Jim Thurman]

Originally posted by Manfred Cubenoggin
Hi, fellas. Here's an obscure one for you.

I've searched the Net in general and TNF in particular for info on claiming races in auto sports competition. Precious little out there. The only thing I could find was the following link:

http://winfield.50me...ey/30Aug50.html

I find this concept most intriguing and would hope that members could contribute some things they've learned over the years. Some of the details which I'd like to learn include...

started when? last invoked? classes involved? locales?

TY.

Claiming classes were quite common in short track racing throughout the U.S. (and Canada) and still exist in modified form to this day. I have no idea when/where it first appeared. While doing research recently I turned up a claiming rule for the "Junk Car Derby" races at Colton, California in 1940 (actually, these cars were more early versions of the post-WWII Track Roadsters). Any car was eligible, with the stipulation that it "must not be valued at more than $100."

As has been mentioned, the class was usually for a low cost, entry level Stock Car class (Claimers, $99 Claimers, Jalopy, etc.), though IMCA Modifieds have had an engine claim since they began.

There have been quite a few variations on claiming rules, prompted (as so often is the case) by abuses. I recall one short track where drivers battling for the points championship kept claiming each other's cars as well as other contenders, so the association put limits into the number of claims one individual could make. Then friends of each driver kept making claims which got so out of hand it led to an emergency meeting and new rules.

Many Northern California tracks (as well as Carson City, NV) had a $99 Claimer class into the 70's. As Jim mentions, in the late 50's/early 60's, much of Southern California's Stock Car racing used claiming rules. But, as cars got more and more sophisticated at places like Saugus and Cajon, that went away.

Some have speculated that IMCA's engine claim rule led to a more diverse array of powerplants. I don't know IMCA's current engine claim rule, as it has been fine tuned over the years, but at one time refusing a claim led to a loss of all points.