by Lou Long, BRP Modified Tour PR Director
Officials of the Modified Tour, Inc. and Pennsylvania Modified Lite Racing Association have announced an affiliation between their respective organizations.
“Our goal in bringing the Modified Lites under our umbrella was to lend our experience and resources to that division in the hope that Mod Lite racers will develop a familiarity with us and an interest in Big Block Modified racing,” said Modified Tour President Ray Baselj. “In addition, this will give promoters and fans an opportunity to see a different brand of Modified racing, again, with the hope that it will create more interest in the the Big Blocks.”
The Modified Tour, Inc. was formed over a decade ago to give Modified racers an opportunity to compete for higher purses and a seasonal point fund. It presents the highly successful and widely accalimed BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour. The 2009 racing series currently includes 11 races in the tri-state region of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
Nonetheless, Modified Tour officials recognized that there is no current developmental class for racers interested in the division to launch their racing careers. “Years ago, we had Six Cylinder Modifieds and Sportsmen Modifieds as stepping stones into the Big Block class,” Baselj explained. “However, over time, those classes faded away, leaving racers with a difficult task of jumping right into the Big Block division.” “The support classes in the region were more likely to lead drivers into other forms of racing if they were looking to advance in the sport, and that was a major concern that we felt a need to address,” he added.
“We really appreciate the Modified Tour taking us under their wing,” said Modified Lite President Richard Lawson. “We have had an immediate benefit by picking up some additional races, where Mod Lites will appear with their big brothers, and we hope to learn from the Modified Tour Board and Officials.”
The Modified Lites will pair up with the Modified Tour on four dates in 2009: Tri-City Speedway on May 24 and July 5, Mercer Raceway Park on August 15, and Lernerville Speedway on September 11.
“We are looking forward to more joint programs in the years to come,” Lawson added.