USAC new national headquarters for QMA
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
April 10, 2001
The United States Auto Club's "Starting Line for Champions" slogan dramatically extended its scope with today's announcement by USAC President/CEO John Capels that, effective July 1, USAC becomes the new national headquarters and home of the Quarter Midgets of America, Inc.
USAC, under terms of the new management contract with QMA, will provide leadership for unprecedented "driver development," as well as creating a new cooperative atmosphere linking amateur and professional motorsports.
"This is a signature day for USAC," said John Capels, President/CEO, who teamed with the QMA Board of Directors for the historic announcement. "We look forward to working with these youngsters and their families as they develop their motorsports careers and to providing professional assistance in various areas of expertise. We expect to involve our technical, administrative and news & communications personnel in this endeavor, as well as other key elements of our operations. It's certainly an exciting time for all of us here at USAC."
"I am very excited about QMA joining with USAC in a venture that has the potential to take QMA and its members to a new level of opportunity and benefits," said QMA President Ray Dodd. "This should prove to be beneficial to both QMA and USAC."
QMA Board Members include, in addition to President Dodd, Vice President Andy Camp of Terre Haute, Ind., Secretary Patty Abbott of Livonia, Mich., Treasurer Greg Salisbury of East Haddam, Conn., Technical Director Dave Preston of Penndel, Pa., Publicity Director Maureen Abbott of Apopka, Fla. and Safety Director Jerry Faas of Huntington Beach, Calif.
"For years QMA has been the best-kept secret in the world," added Camp. "Now it's our time to shine and with the assistance of USAC we plan on doing just that." Secretary Patty Abbott commented: "This new relationship between QMA and USAC is just like making the A Main. When you make the A Main you are proud, thrilled and excited and you can't wait to get in the driver's seat and have the flagman throw the green flag. On July 1, USAC will give QMA its first green flag and I'm proud and excited to be part of this transition." Safety Director Jerry Faas sees added benefits, including "gaining knowledge of race-related incidents and opening the doors to safety equipment manufacturers and insurance needs. This will become more beneficial for our kids than we can possibly imagine."
USAC National racing champions from Jimmy Bryan to Tracy Hines over the past five decades have cut their teeth in quarter midget racing. Few of USAC's champions have not been involved in this formative racing formula and many have enjoyed success on the national quarter midget level.
The 2001 USAC/QMA Grand Nationals are set for Madera, Calif. July 1-8 (Western), Oaklane, Pa. July 22-28 (Eastern) and Terre Haute, Ind. August 12-18 (Dirt).
In all, more than 5,500 drivers age 5-18 are involved in quarter-midget racing nationwide, competing on some 55 different tracks for more than a dozen regional championships involving multiple classes.
"This new relationship will provide QMA vast opportunities from its new Big Brothers," said QMA Treasurer Greg Salisbury. "The vision for benefits to its members is endless." QMA National Technical Director Dave Preston added: "It's a no-brainer," referring to QMA moving into the 21st century with USAC affiliation."With the resource and growth QMA should realize, along with the notoriety, QMA should no longer be the best kept racing secret in the country."
Maureen Abbott, QMA's Publicity Director, says: "It is such a thrill to be a part of this alliance between USAC and QMA. Our new home will be located in the racing capital, Indianapolis. QMA drivers are the future USAC drivers of tomorrow."
Text provided by Dick Jordan
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