2010 LAMOT Print Friendly FAQ

LAMOT was created in an effort to restore asphalt late model racing at the grassroots level by making the weekly costs more affordable

and the racing more competitive

to both new teams looking to run Late Models and experienced teams who became limited with rising costs. The status quo late model rules resulted in a decrease of both weekly car counts and special show counts. Prior to LAMOT there were no late models running weekly in Western New York. As a result, a group of drivers, owners, and tech inspectors got together in the fall of 2007 to create a Late Model division for the future that that looked at three important areas:

1) Rules enforcement
2) Fixed costs ($3,300 engine and $115 shocks)
3) Variable costs (tires that last several races and pump fuel).

Stagnant or even increasing purse payouts without making the rules more affordable were not the answers to combating the rise of racing costs and rebuilding healthy size fields. Racing is a hobby for 99% of racers. Why spend more of your own or your sponsors $ to participate on a regular basis than needed?

Traditionally any track's owner/promoter and head tech inspector oversaw any competition related issues such as rule enforcement or rule changes. Upon analysis it was agreed that a collaborative effort can benefit both parties (track and division) to operate and promote the Late Model division. Input from an organized group of experienced Late Model division members to any track is an asset to maintaining the cost of racing in today's economy. LAMOT was truly created by drivers for drivers. LAMOT also raises their own point fund and operates their website independently.

In looking at Nascar's Cup division and their use of the COT (Car of Tomorrow) body template that was designed for use in 2008 primarily with an even playing field in mind, a similar idea that was applied to LAMOT. Where Nascar designed a body template, LAMOT put together a rules package that allows more teams to compete on a more even playing field

at less cost by the use of longer lasting tires, spec. shocks and long lasting and less expensive crate engines that run high test pump gasoline from any gas station, instead of race fuel which in some cases costs over $10 per gallon.

LAMOT is made up of a Board of Directors with decades of experience in auto racing. The board decides what rules are to be used, race procedures, how the purse is distributed and any business in the series. Each rule chosen or up for reform is only final after voted on by the board, no one person has more say than another. If a car is found to be illegal after post race tech inspection, or if there is a protest or claim problem, the board will have the final say in determining the outcome. If a board member is in anyway associated with the car in question (driver/owner) he/she will step down and another LAMOT driver will sit in their place on the panel that makes the final decision.

Board members are available year-round. They can be reached by phone, email, or met with in-person. In addition, at season's end a survey is handed out to each team asking for their input. View survey in either format

If any individual would like to address the LAMOT Board of Directors with their ideas and/or concerns, they must do so in letter form and hand it in to any of the Board of Directors or to the LAMOT Race Director. The letter will then be sent and reviewed by the entire Board of Directors. The letter must include each of the following:

1) How the idea(s) would benefit LAMOT.
2) How the change would be fair for all competitors in LAMOT (i.e. cost effectiveness).

After review, the Board will respond directly to the individual.

No individual member of the Board of Directors has the power to change anything, they must address their concern in writing to the entire Board. This measure is to ensure that details and ideas can be discussed and researched properly.

No, the LAMOT board and staff operate voluntarily. Team profiles on the LAMOT website are also free of charge for drivers to share their background, racing stats, pictures, give sponsor recognition, etc. Team Profile Form

Holland Speedway agreed to pay $200 per car. With the amount allotted it is dispersed much more evenly than traditional top heavy purses. Because the entire purse is determined by the number of cars LAMOT designated $125 as the minimum paid to last place - a sufficient amount for teams not having to buy tires or race fuel weekly.

The year end point fund (raised independently by our volunteer staff) is also spread more evenly to ALL teams competing in 80% of the scheduled races, not just the top 5 or 10 finishers in the standings. We believe that each weekly competing team should be rewarded for their hard effort. See also point fund rules.

Some teams in the past were spending hundreds and even thousands of dollars on shocks, equipment and research to create a big advantage for those with more funding to test and refine their many different shock programs. The Bilstein shocks chosen by LAMOT are both reliable and cost effective at $115 each and are a non – adjustable type shock to ensure the competition is based more on the driver and setup than on cost.

The 10" Goodyear Eagle Racing tires chosen by LAMOT are designed to stay consistent and endure many heat cycles more than the old racing tires commonly used in years past. Baring no flats or tire damaging incidents, this allows an entire season to be run with approximately 8-12 tires, as opposed to having to buy multiple tires weekly and spending $5,000 or more on a tire budget as was done in years past.

To give teams some flexibility while also ensuring a steady supply of tires a 12 tire maximum per car rule is in effect.

Update 8/24/09 T.J. Johnson put on left side tires from the 2008 season prior to winning the feature race 8/22/09 see here.

Update 9/6/09 Mike Ticco bought and ran a total of 8 tires spanning the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

The tires are 10" wide and the same size as previous tires used. The LAMOT race director may allow hot laps to warm up the tires before the start of a race. The tires perform very well and are not a lot different than other tires used in the past. The motor and shock combination chosen were found to work very well in combination with these tires.

No, the tires used by LAMOT will not respond to tire softener, it will have the opposite effect and slow the tire.

The difference between the LAMOT legal 602 crate engine and a 604 crate engine is approximately 50hp or only 12%. The 602 works well when combined with the longer lasting Goodyear tires. The GM Crate 602 has a lot of power and has been widely used on the dirt and asphalt divisions across the country. DIRT Sportsman and Fastrak Late Model divisions are two examples that have had great success with this engine. The 602 crate currently sells for $3,300 (plus tax). The lower cost and No-rebuild rule will allow more teams to move up to a Late Model class. GM does not sell re-seal bolts making the engine more tech friendly.

Update: Drivers T.J. Johnson, Mike Ticco, and Jason Gwin will be entering their 3rd season in 2010 with LAMOT on their original 602 crate motor with no-rebuilds. The cost of the motor: $3,300 averaged out over three seasons = $1,100 is substantially less than teams are paying for their engine programs in other divisions and that doesn't factor any $ gained back if selling the used engine after 3 years of use.

With the use of a rev-limiter chip, limiting the RPMs at 6000, the stress on the engine is reduced. By checking the replaceable engine parts, which are listed in the LAMOT rule book. This engine can last several seasons. Many DIRT and Fastrak teams have used their engines multiple seasons. Current LAMOT teams are going into their third year with their original 602 engine without rebuild costs.

The engine can be purchased at Emerling Chevrolet where it will be sealed by LAMOT tech. Emerling is also one of LAMOT's proud sponsors in 2010.

*LAMOT Director Jerry Szalanski handles the sales of the sealed GM 602 engines for the LAMOT series. To purchase a new sealed crate engine for LAMOT competition contact Jerry directly at 716-863-0598 and he will make arrangements for you.

LAMOT is the first exclusive GM Crate 602 engine in asphalt late models in the area, however because the motor is widely used by both dirt and asphalt divisions throughout WNY and the country its resale is in higher demand than any other type of race engine. The motor can also be sold to current or future LAMOT teams.

The GM Crate 602 has an 8 quart oil pan that extends further than engines that use a 7 quart oil pan. For a proper fit LAMOT teams used spacers on the chassis engine mounts to raise their engines anywhere from a 1/2 to 1 inch.

Driver #65 Mike Ticco converted his late model to LAMOT legal by changing the engine, shocks, carb, and flywheel in a few days. *Exact time to covert may vary based on configurations and crew assistance*

If you currently have a Late Model with a 604 crate engine, the clutch, flywheel and headers are LAMOT compatible. In addition, the carburetor specified by LAMOT, Holley Box stock (part #0-80541-1), (Series 4150, 650 CFM) is also the same used in most 604 crate engine divisions. If you are building a Late Model from scratch or have a custom built engine these components may be needed. Please feel free to contact LAMOT board member with any questions you may have.

In addition to saving money on the engine, shocks, the yearly tire and race fuel bill and with various other rules in place, LAMOT partnered with Howe Enterprises for a discount on new cars to all LAMOT members. D etails.

New Late Models can be bought at any stage of completion by companies such as Howe Enterprises. Also, since Late Models are the most commonly run division across North America there is always a healthy supply of used cars for sale. Late Model parts are easy to obtain, most commonly ordered through local dealers, and similar if not less in cost to modified divisions.

Most classic appearing V-8 running stock cars require stripping and the building of a roll cage for a car that uses 20+ year old components. The availability of the components, although cheap, and can be found in a junk yard are becoming rare with time. Also, many of these stock classes are now allowing aftermarket parts which are comparable in cost to Late Model parts.

We have drivers that previously competed in the following divisions with knowledge of the comparison of costs:

4-Cylinder, Street Stock, Super Stock, Charger, Cup Lite, Late Model, and SST Modifieds.

If you are new to asphalt late models it is recommended that you have a racing budget configured first. If need be the next step would be to contact any board member to get an idea of what equipment (car, chassis type, etc.) is preferred and in your budget. *Not all used Late Models for sale are equal or ideal for use in LAMOT*

LAMOTracing.com always has used Late Models posted for sale linked on the homepage and in the for sale forums. Once you have the equipment needed to race do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the building of your car or during the season for FREE setup assistance. You can even come visit the shops of some of our current teams to get an in-person detailed look at the equipment they use.

Simply fill out the form linked here and you will be contacted promptly. Because cost is a high priority for our competitors it is equally as important for us to be flexible with dedicated businesses owners interested in marketing with LAMOT.